Recent Streetsblog MASS posts about Boston

A (very) temporary protected bike lane appeared on Charles Street next to the Public Garden at the end of May, as seen in this May 31 photo. The barrels have since been removed, and Boston's planned "healthy streets" network of protected bike lanes around downtown Boston remains incomplete. Photo courtesy of Amir Tadmor.

Boston Blames Cone Shortage for Sluggish 'Healthy Streets' Rollout

By Christian MilNeil | Jul 8, 2020 | No Comments

It’s now been over a month since Boston announced its “healthy streets” initiative, the city’s transportation plan for the COVID-19 pandemic, but even as more businesses and offices across the city have reopened in recent weeks, a key component of the plan – a pop-up network of protected bike lanes to help more bicyclists travel […]

Dr. Karilyn Crockett, the City of Boston's new Chief of Equity, at a press conference on June 29, 2020. Courtesy of the Ciy of Boston.

‘People Before Highways’ Author Picked to Head Boston’s New Equity Cabinet

By Christian MilNeil | Jun 30, 2020 | No Comments

Dr. Crockett joined StreetsblogMASS earlier this month to discuss her book, 'People Before Highways,' a chronicle of anti-highway activist movements in the Boston region in the 1960s.

Driver Kills Bicyclist on Cummins Highway in Mattapan

By Christian MilNeil | Jun 9, 2020 | No Comments

A motorist struck and killed a person riding a bicycle early this morning in Mattapan. According to Boston Police officials, preliminary dispatch information indicates that police responded at about 7:33 AM to a crash on Cummins Highway near Richmere Road in Mattapan, and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Photographs from the scene […]

The MBTA closed most of its downtown subway stations Sunday night, escalating tensions as thousands of Black Lives Matter protesters struggled to get home.

How T Closures Escalated Post-Protest Tensions

By Christian MilNeil | Jun 4, 2020 | 2 Comments

Management at the MBTA is facing intense criticism after shutting down core subway stations on recent evenings, leaving thousands of its riders stranded and trapped among the belligerent police forces they were protesting against. On Sunday evening, thousands of people participated in a peaceful march from Nubian Square to the State House. As night fell […]

A network of quick-build bike lanes will take shape in downtown Boston this summer as part of the city's "healthy streets" initiative. Courtesy of the City of Boston.

Mayor Walsh Announces Details of New ‘Healthy Streets’ Initiative

By Christian MilNeil | May 28, 2020 | No Comments

The initial plans include a network of new protected bike lanes across downtown Boston and around the Public Garden, expanded bus stop waiting areas, and processes to let restaurants expand their outdoor seating areas on sidewalks and on-street parking lanes.

Boston Council to Host Hearing on Pandemic Street Safety Improvements

By Christian MilNeil | Apr 28, 2020 | No Comments

"This is very much about safeguarding everyone's health in the immediate term. We are finding it impossible to practice distancing on narrow sidewalks," said Councilor Michelle Wu.

A City of Boston rendering illustrates the center-running bus lane concept for Blue Hill Avenue near Walk Hill Street. Under the plan, bus lanes and dedicated stations would run in the middle of the street, away from double-parked cars and turning vehicles. Pedestrian crossings would also be significantly shorter. Courtesy of the City of Boston.

What’s in Mayor Walsh’s 2021 Streets Budget?

By Christian MilNeil | Apr 10, 2020 | No Comments

The Mayor's budget proposal advances major bus-priority projects on Warren Street, Blue Hill Avenue, and on Summer Street in the Seaport, while also supporting ongoing work for new protected bike routes and sidewalk upgrades across the city.

Livablestreets Report Keeps ‘Go Boston 2030’ on the Agenda, Not on a Shelf

By Christian MilNeil | Mar 11, 2020 | No Comments

In a new report released this morning, the LivableStreets Alliance says that Boston is making good progress on improving street safety, but by and large has yet to make significant progress on its ambitions to reduce traffic and air pollution by increasing biking, walking and transit use. Go Boston 2030, the city’s long-term transportation plan, […]

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh delivers his 2020 State of the City address at Symphony Hall on Tuesday, January 7.

Mayor Walsh Lobbies For Regional Transportation Taxes At State of the City Address

By Christian MilNeil | Jan 7, 2020 | No Comments

The mayor also announced a new initiative to improve mobility in East Boston.

Map of Boston's "Center City Connector" bus priority route

Boston Officials Pitch New Downtown Bus-Priority Corridor

By Christian MilNeil | Dec 12, 2019 | No Comments

The proposed "Center City Link" bus route would build a corridor of bus-priority infrastructure to link North Station, South Station, and the Seaport District.

Boston City Council President Andrea J. Campbell

Council President Andrea Campbell Wants Boston To Accelerate 'Vision Zero'

By Christian MilNeil | Nov 14, 2019 | No Comments

Earlier this week, City Council President Andrea Campbell, who represents parts of Dorchester, Mattapan, Roslindale and Jamaica Plain, renewed her calls for accelerating street safety projects across the city after a person driving a car struck a 7-year-old boy on Groveland Street in the Lower Mills neighborhood. “I’m grateful he was not seriously injured, but […]

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