Category: Walk Audit

Can we help make crossing Route 2 in Concord safer?

Can we help make crossing Route 2 in Concord safer?

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That’s the question the Town of Concord, Emerson Hospital, MassDOT District 4 and WalkBoston were asking on Tuesday at the Route 2/Old Road to 9 Acre Corner intersection. Currently, Emerson Hospital runs a shuttle across Route 2 to get their staff safely back and forth – a distance of less than a 1/4 of a mile. While there are no easy answers, the group discussed adjusting signal phasing, exploring the pros/cons of Right-Turn-On-Red, and educating Emerson staff about how pedestrian signals work. Some improvements are already in process – new sidewalks, curb ramps and countdown signals. We look forward to hearing back from all involved to see what additional safety improvements are made.

Beachmont Neighborhood, Revere – Cummings Square Walk Audit

Beachmont Neighborhood, Revere – Cummings Square Walk Audit

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The Beachmont Improvement Committee (BIC) and City of Revere Staff identified Cummings Square as an area in need of improved walking infrastructure given the number of pedestrians moving through the square, its proximity to Beachmont Veterans Memorial School, and the fast-moving traffic experienced by neighborhood residents. The City Department of Public Works (DPW) is in the process of repaving several of the roads surrounding the square (Crescent Avenue and Orchard Street), which will allow some of the short-term recommendations described in this memorandum to be put in place quickly. The long-term recommendations should be considered as priority projects to be named in the Revere Complete Streets Prioritization Plan or other infrastructure planning document.

To access the complete report, please click the link below.

WalkBostonBeachmontCummingsSqAudit

Making it happen in Revere!

Making it happen in Revere!

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In two months time, this section of Crescent Avenue in the Beachmont neighborhood of Revere saw real change. Thanks to the work of resident advocates, dedicated City staff, and WalkBoston’s timely walk audit funded by the Cummings Foundation, new sidewalk, curb ramps, and pavement markings now support people walking to the Beachmont T station, schools and local shops. You might notice in the photograph that more work needs to be done – one more crosswalk leading from the island to the distant sidewalk. Its in the works – just have to wait for a new curb ramp to be installed.

There’s more! Crosswalks, parking lanes, and no parking zones were painted on Crescent Avenue near its intersection with Winthrop Avenue.

WalkBoston loves seeing action after a walk audit. Thanks to all who helped make this section of Beachmont more walkable!

Walking in Manchester by the Sea

Walking in Manchester by the Sea

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Photo credit: Dan Watkins

On one of the few beautiful days this spring, WalkBoston led a walk audit in Manchester by the Sea (MBTS) to evaluate the walking routes students use to reach Manchester Memorial Elementary School and Manchester Essex Regional Middle and High Schools. Walk audit participants included the elementary and middle/high school principals, the Town Administrator, the Cape Ann Mass in Motion Coordinator, and representatives from the police department, town departments of public works and planning, and the MBTS Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee. Together, we identified areas where pedestrian safety can be improved using low-cost traffic calming strategies.

It is worth noting that MBTS instituted a 20 mph speed safety zone within 1 mile of the MBTA commuter rail station in September 2017. While we did not record speeds on our audit, it was clear that not all drivers were respecting the 20 mph limit. Setting lower speed limits and redesigning our streets are critical to safer, more walkable communities.

Walking in Beachmont

Walking in Beachmont

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The Beachmont Improvement Commitee, City of Revere staff, and WalkBoston conducted the first of several walk audits in the Beachmont neighborhood. The walk audits are part of the Streets for Healthy and Connected Lives program funded by the Cummings Foundation. Participants walked along Winthrop Avenue and Crescent Avenue looking at ways to make walking safer and easier for residents and children walking home from school through Cummings Square. We picked the best weather day of the week, which is hard to do during this rainy Spring!