Speak up for a People First Northern Avenue Bridge

The wonderful, pedestrian-focused Northern Avenue Bridge that WalkBoston has continued to advocate for over the past 20 years is in jeopardy!

This Wednesday, May 6 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, the City of Boston is holding a virtual public meeting to share the design they have selected. WalkBoston, LivableStreets, and the Boston Cyclists Union ask that the City commit to a bridge design that is only open to  pedestrians, bicycles, and emergency vehicles. We are asking City Council not to approve this project in the budget until this commitment has been made. As reported in North End Waterfront.com, the project was described to the Wharf District Council meeting last week as follows:

“The harbor-facing side will be exclusively for pedestrian use, while the second side facing the Moakley bridge will serve a single bus/shuttle line, as well as cyclists and emergency vehicles.” 

Since December 2019, the City has shifted its approach from a walking/biking/emergency vehicle-only design to one that includes a bus/shuttle lane. Touted as a “people first” design, the City revealed drawings depicting no vehicles, while at the same time stating shuttles and emergency vehicles would be allowed on the bridge. All of the renderings shown to date continue to leave out this critical detail. 

Here are three ways you can get involved this week: 

• Contact the project team and Boston City Council. Despite significant public support, the City has not committed to ensuring the bridge is reserved for people walking, biking and emergency use only. Livable Streets has provided a template email if you’re looking for inspiration.   
  • Project team: team@northernavebridgebos.com
  • District 2 City Councilor: ed.flynn@boston.gov
  • At-Large City Councilors: michael.flaherty@boston.gov, A.E.George@boston.gov, julia.mejia@boston.gov, michelle.wu@boston.gov
• Attend the Northern Avenue Bridge Zoom meeting on Wed, May 6th at 6PM. The presentation will be posted before the meeting to give people who can only attend by phone an opportunity to review the presentation. There will be time after the presentation for Q+A. You may use the “Q+A” button in the black bar at the bottom of the screen to submit a typed question or comment at any point during the meeting.
• Attend or submit comments for the City Council Budget hearing for Transportation and Public Works Zoom meeting on Thurs, May 7th at 10AM. Written testimony or pre-recorded videos may be sent to the Committee or staff email and will be made a part of the record and available to all Councilors. Members of the public wishing to testify virtually via videoconference at the end of the hearing may do so via the Zoom.