Tag: MassDOT

Golden Shoe Award Winners For March 2021 Annual Meeting

Golden Shoe Award Winners For March 2021 Annual Meeting

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As presented at this year’s annual event on Zoom, March 24, 2021. 

Karen Cord Taylor for her long term service as a committed Board member and fierce advocate for better walkability in her Beacon Hill neighborhood and the greater Boston community. Karen has devoted thirteen years to WalkBoston and has been part of so many wins as a WalkBoston Board member. Her dedication to clearing sidewalks and curb ramps of snow is particularly top of mind this winter. In addition to her advocacy work, Karen, a former newspaper owner and publisher, often used her editing skills to ensure our written communications were top notch. Karen was also instrumental in attracting and nominating wonderful new Board members, including our former Board President Emma Yashar. Your impact continues far beyond your 13-year Board tenure!

The MassDOT Shared Streets and Spaces Program provided funds to municipalities that allowed them to quickly respond to the many mobility challenges highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the need for more sidewalk space to walk safely 6’ apart, to dine outdoors in unused parking lanes, and to reimagine streets as low speed, safe spaces for people walking and biking. The popularity of this program demonstrated the desire, need and capabilities of municipalities to implement quick build projects to make streets safer and more enjoyable for all. WalkBoston is a huge fan of this program and we would love to see the program continue beyond the pandemic! In fact, we have a call to action for all of you to help make this happen later in our program. Kate Fichter, MassDOT’s Assistant Secretary for Policy Coordination and Project Lead for the Shared Streets and Spaces Program will be accepting the Golden Shoe Award on behalf of the group. We also want to thank the Barr Foundation and the Solomon Foundation for not only funding technical assistance to municipalities, but also for truly leading program outreach to ensure that all municipalities had capacity to apply regardless of local resources or expertise. Help us say THANKS for Shared Streets and Spaces so these types of projects happen more often.

Finally, our last Golden Shoe Award goes to Frank Caro. Frank died unexpectedly in October of 2020. He was an extremely dedicated Brookline resident determined to make streets and spaces more hospitable to older adults. As the founder and co-chair of the BrookLINE Community Aging Network (CAN), Frank ensured that the needs of older adults were more integrated into the life of the town. His work earned BrookLINEan Age-Friendly town designation by the World Health Organization, the first town to do so in New England. In addition to Frank’s Age-Friendly work, he founded the BrookLINE Pedestrian Advisory Board, which continues to conduct research on pedestrian activities and needs. Some of the Board’s projects included sidewalks on Longwood Avenue, audible signals along Beacon Street, and an inventory of hedges interfering with pedestrian space on sidewalks. Carol Caro, Frank’s widow, will be accepting the Golden Shoe Award on Frank’s behalf. Read a post about Frank Caro by WalkBoston board member Anita Johnson.

How to tune in to the annual meeting

How to tune in to the annual meeting

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Missed the event? You can watch the recording here.

Today’s the day! The WalkBoston 31st Annual Celebration is tonight, 3/24 at 5pm ET.

Our board had pledged to match $5,000 worth of donations from tonight’s event (both donations made through Eventbrite RSVPs & this GoFundMe page this evening). If you’re tweeting about the event, tag us @walkboston and use the hashtag #WalkBoston31st

Our 2020 Annual Report was released in conjunction with our 31st Annual Meeting on March 24, 2021. Click the cover to read the report.

How to tune in:

  • Sign up on Eventbrite! If you RSVP’d on Eventbrite prior to this week, an email went out Monday night with the Zoom link.
  • Registered more recently? The Zoom link was included in your confirmation email. If you can’t find that email, two more automated Eventbrite reminders with the Zoom link will go out this afternoon: 2 hours before & 10 minutes before the event starts.
  • Not sure if you registered? If you are logged in to Eventbrite, this online event page will include the Zoom link.
  • Not able to make it? A recording of the event will be available after the event.

Golden Shoes will be awarded to:

Our panelists: 

  • Tracy A. Corley, PhD – Director of Research and Partnerships at the Conservation Law Foundation
  • Mike McGinn – Executive Director at America Walks
  • Jodie Medeiros – Executive Director at Walk San Francisco
  • Alexander Train, AICP – Director, Department of Housing and Community Development for the City of Chelsea

We’re rolling out a “Thank You” effort, and want you to take part!

  • Contact your local elected officials & public works/planning staff. Let them know you like the creative use of public space shown possible through the MassDOT “Shared Streets & Spaces” and “Shared Winter Streets & Places” programs (that you’ll hear more about during the event), and that you want to see more! You can see a full list of projects funded on this page, along with project descriptions.
  • Copy us on your message: comments@walkboston.org
  • Not sure what to say? You can keep it simple:

Thank you, _____, for [insert the part of the project description in your city/town that you like]. 

I really like these programs and want to see continued creative use of street space and a focus on walking safety with MassDOT funding support.

Thanks, Your name & address

Statewide Fatal Crashes in MA, February 2021

Statewide Fatal Crashes in MA, February 2021

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Each month in 2021, we plan to post about the fatal crashes in Massachusetts from the previous month, and share any trends that we see. Last month, we took a look at the 5 fatal crashes listed in the MassDOT Crash Portal in January. In this post, we’ll look at crashes in MA in February 2021. The information in the chart below is compiled from news reports, and was checked against the MassDOT Crash Portal Dashboard “Fatal Information by Year.” The Google Street View images included below use the address listed in the crash portal.

  • Of the 19 fatal crashes in Massachusetts in February in the MassDOT Crash portal, 4 were people walking.
  • 3 of those 4 crashes were on limited access highways. In 2 of those crashes, tractor trailer drivers struck and killed a driver who exited a vehicle after it had broken down.
  • The crash portal does not include names. The names of 2 of the people walking who died have not been made public yet.
  • The name of the person driving was not identified in any of the 4 crashes in news articles.
  • 2 people lost their lives at a construction site in Boston in February when a co-worker hit them with a vehicle, pushing them into an open trench. That incident is not listed in the MassDOT Crash Portal. The Boston Globe wrote at least two follow up stories about 33-year-old Jose Carlos Figueroa-Gutierrez and 27-year-old Jordan Romero: “One day later, makeshift memorial for two construction workers only sign of tragedy in Boston,” “A sister mourns for brother killed at downtown Boston construction site.”
Date 2/2/2021, 11:30 PM
Location I-90 EAST, MM 87.0
Town Oxford
Type PEDESTRIAN
Age 33
Sex M

A 33 year old Hartford man was struck and killed on on I-90 (the MassPike) by the driver of a tractor trailer. WHDH reported that he was hit after his Toyota Camry broke down and he got out of the car to examine the problem.

Date 2/8/2021, 5:55 PM
Location 418 Winthrop Ave.
Town Lawrence
Type PEDESTRIAN
Age 70
Sex F

A 70 year old woman was hit and killed on Winthrop Ave (Rt 114) on the North Andover / Lawrence line. The Boston Globe reported that the scene of the crash on Route 114 was near the North Andover Mall. Rt 114 is 4 lanes (2 travel lanes each direction) in front of the North Andover Mall and 3 lanes after the driveway intersection. There is only a sidewalk on one side of the street. According to the MassDOT Road Inventory, Winthrop Ave/Rt 114 is under MassDOT jurisdiction.

According to Google Streetview, the sidewalk is relatively new and under construction as of November 2019. There is only a sidewalk on one side of the street, but it did not exist prior to November 2019. New curb ramps are in place but only go across the driveway entrance, not Rt 114. The nearest crosswalks across Rt 114 are 0.9 miles away from each other, with the shopping center roughly in between. A housing development is also on the other side of the street from the shopping center.

Date 2/13/2021, 5:55 AM
Location I-90 EAST, MM 116.2
Town Framingham
Type PEDESTRIAN
Age 57
Sex M

Mustapha Faddi, a 57 year old Marlborough man, was struck and killed on I-90 (the MassPike) by the driver of a tractor trailer. Mustapha’s Nissan Murano broke down and he got out of the car to examine the problem. The Patch shared that this was the second fatal crash on the MassPike in February involving a disable vehicle & tractor trailer.

Date 2/27/2021, 11:40 PM
Location I-93 NORTH, south of EXIT 33
Town Medford
Type PEDESTRIAN
Age 22
Sex F

Madeleine Fox, a 22 year old woman, was hit and killed after she got out of her friend’s car on I-93. NBC Boston reports that investigators are working to identify a description of the vehicle or vehicles that might have hit her.

Updates

If you have an update about a community member who was killed in one of these crashes, please contact Brendan so we can update our . WalkBoston has maintained a list each year since 2016, pulling the information from news reports, social media, and from people like you that share the information with us.

Yearly trackers:  |||||

Reminder about the data from the MassDOT portal

DISCLAIMER:  The compilation of data is based on preliminary data we receive from a variety of local sources.  Some of the data may differ slightly from information provided by NHTSA as this dashboard does not use imputation methods.  Information is subject to change when/if updated information becomes available. Data updated daily as reported by police departments.

MassDOT Snow and Ice Control Program Comment Letter

MassDOT Snow and Ice Control Program Comment Letter

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March 12, 2021

Secretary Kathleen A. Theoharides
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Attn via email: Eva Murray

Re:  MassDOT Snow and Ice Control Program EEA#11202

Dear Secretary Theoharides:

WalkBoston commented on MassDOT’s Environmental Status and Planning Report (ESPR) on Snow and Ice Control in 2018 and has continued to follow the agency’s efforts regarding the clearance of sidewalks, curb ramps and traffic islands that are under MassDOT’s jurisdiction. While we do believe that MassDOT’s staff agree that sidewalk snow clearance is an important safety, equity and mobility issue, we are disappointed in their lack of progress since 2018.

Our comments reiterate this importance and report on some of the work that WalkBoston has done to urge MassDOT to take more effective planning and operational steps.

As laid out by MEPA in 2018 (page 4), MassDOT’s scope relative to sidewalks was as follows:

“The DSW for the 2022 ESPR should include a response to comments received on the FESPR. In its comments on the DESPR, WalkBoston requested that the ESPR include more information about snow and ice control measures for pedestrian facilities. The FESPR noted that MassDOT will soon complete a statewide Pedestrian Transportation Plan that will include recommendations for improving pedestrian conditions affected by snow and ice. Consistent with MassDOT’s policy to promote alternate modes of transportation, including walking and bicycling, and implementation of its Complete Streets design program, the 2022 ESPR should provide a summary of the findings and recommendations of the Pedestrian Transportation Plan and describe any snow and ice control measures that will be implemented by MassDOT to improve pedestrian conditions. The DSW for the 2022 ESPR should identify any additional analyses or tracking of salt use associated with pedestrian facilities that will be included in the ESPR consistent with the scope and purpose of the SICP ESPRs.”

The Statewide Pedestrian Transportation Plan was completed in 2019 and very clearly called out sidewalk snow clearance as critically important, and as one of the responsibilities for MassDOT to lead on as a transportation and equity issue. It also stated that MassDOT needs to assume responsibility for sidewalk snow removal for some roadways that are under MassDOT’s direct care and control. The text of the Plan which describes these responsibilities is shown below (highlights provided by WalkBoston).

Introduction

With its abundance of historic town centers, compact neighborhoods, urban areas, and natural resources, Massachusetts is home to premier walking environments. However, conditions for walking vary widely from one place to another. A simple stroll can quickly turn challenging or even impossible in the face of discontinuous sidewalks, missing curb ramps, unplowed snow, or unsafe intersections.

Principles

Prioritize improvements for people walking by proactively addressing gaps and barriers that discourage walking and are known to increase likelihood of crashes. MassDOT shall address deficiencies– from sidewalks gaps and missing crosswalks, access to transit, and snow and ice removal, for example.

Initiatives

Initiative 5: Launch a year-round maintenance and operations plan for MassDOT-owned pedestrian facilities and support municipalities to do the same.

Year-round maintenance of pedestrian facilities ensures the continual comfort and safety of the people who use them, but also extends the lifespan of the facilities themselves. MassDOT has a comprehensive process for inventorying the condition of curb-to-curb roadway pavement and for clearing snow and ice on all roadways and bridges travelled by vehicles. This initiative establishes actions to add pedestrian facility maintenance and operations to this work. MassDOT is moving towards a proactive and systematic data collection strategy to identify facilities in need of attention. MassDOT has already gathered data on curb ramp condition as part of the Statewide ADA Transition Plan.

Actions

Action 2: Pilot a winter snow and ice removal initiative on pedestrian facilities in order to provide the basis for development of a comprehensive plan – and an understanding of potential barriers to make such a program permanent.

Measures for tracking progress (on Actions)

Note: Part of the initiative is defining the maintenance standards and operational plans for snow and ice removal that will apply to these measures.

  • Percentage of MassDOT pedestrian facilities that are covered by regular snow and ice operations
  • Equity check: Do certain populations live in areas where fewer pedestrian facilities are covered by regular snow and ice operations?

The Plan outlines significant and important attention to sidewalk snow and ice removal, and we applaud the Plan. However, MassDOT’s efforts to date have not improved sidewalk snow clearance rates on MassDOT-owned facilities. Our March 1, 2021 letter to MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver is included below and outlines our disappointment in the progress since the 2019 Plan.

Specific comments regarding the Status Report that MassDOT submitted to MEPA in February 2021 

Page 2, Section 1.2 Organization and Format – We are disappointed that sidewalks are not called out here as a section and not mentioned as one of the issues to be addressed.

Section 2.1 Preliminary responses – A number of the preliminary responses are quite specific and note progress toward addressing the issues. Given the specificity of MassDOT’s Pedestrian Plan regarding sidewalk snow clearance, and the requirements in the MEPA Certificate, we think that MassDOT’s answer (shown below) is incomplete and does not accurately characterize the barriers described in a recent presentation by MassDOT to the Massachusetts Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board (a Board established by legislation whose members are appointed by the Governor) where staff indicated that MassDOT had not been able to secure contractors to clear additional sidewalks, or enter into meaningful agreements with municipalities to clear MassDOT-owned facilities.

MassDOT Answer (page 6 of the update) – In the last few years, MassDOT has committed additional resources to provide snow and ice control on approximately 10% of the sidewalks adjacent to their roadways focusing on key areas with relatively high pedestrian usage. This effort is in the early stages of development and MassDOT will likely add more sidewalks into its winter maintenance program as resources become available. The status of this effort will be updated in the 2022 ESPR.

Following the MABPAB meeting (January 27, 2021) WalkBoston reached out to MassDOT staff to secure clarification on progress on sidewalk clearance. We followed this up with a letter to the Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver and are awaiting his response.

Forwarded message ———

From: Stacey Beuttell <sbeuttell@walkboston.org>

Date: Mon, Mar 1, 2021 at 11:12 AM

Subject: MassDOT Sidewalk Snow Removal Pilot

To: <Jonathan.Gulliver@dot.state.ma.us>

Cc: Jacqueline DeWolfe (DOT) <jacqueline.dewolfe@state.ma.us>

Hi Jonathan. 

I wanted to check in with you regarding MassDOT’s sidewalk snow shoveling pilot program that is now in its second year. Several members of the MassDOT Operations and Maintenance team recently updated MABPAB on the current status of the program and relayed the many barriers that have prevented MassDOT from entering into meaningful agreements with vendors to clear MassDOT-owned sidewalks. They reported that only 8.7% of MassDOT-owned sidewalks are currently being cleared by either MassDOT staff or by contractors. Furthermore, they reported that despite making changes to the sidewalk snow removal RFP this year, no qualified vendors applied for the contract. So, needless to say, people have been unable to walk safely on most MassDOT sidewalks throughout this snowy winter. I’m reaching out to see if there are ways WalkBoston can help with this issue, one that we feel is vitally important for year-round safe walking across the state.

I followed up with Jackie DeWolfe who suggested that I reach out to you. She reiterated MassDOT’s commitment to clearing sidewalks of ice and snow, and suggested that some of the barriers are outside of MassDOT’s control – for example, lack of labor market for sidewalk snow removal; and varying rules and capacities within municipalities to clear sidewalks. WalkBoston is eager and excited to find ways that we can support MassDOT and we are hoping to better understand the contract/municipal agreement issues and to get more sidewalks plowed. What next steps do you suggest we take to better understand the barriers and MassDOT’s work to date to overcome them? I would be happy to set up a Zoom call to discuss these questions with you. 

We know that this is an incredibly complex issue to solve. We know that you are likely as disappointed that the pilot program has now stalled for two snow seasons, as we in the advocacy community are, due to vendor/contract issues. I look forward to talking with you and discussing ways we can support forward movement on this important MassDOT priority.

Thanks Jonathan. I hope you have a good week.

Stacey Beuttell

We urge MEPA to require MassDOT to include specific, trackable and documented progress toward meeting the scope of pedestrian needs in its next filing on the MassDOT Snow and Ice Control Program, and to use its own Pedestrian Plan commitments as the baseline for reporting.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this critical issue for the safety, equity and mobility of Massachusetts residents.

WalkBoston would be pleased to answer any questions you may have about our comments.

Sincerely,

Stacey Beuttell                                                                  Wendy Landman
Executive Director                                                           Senior Policy Advisor

WalkBoston testimony to a joint meeting of the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board and the MassDOT Board

WalkBoston testimony to a joint meeting of the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board and the MassDOT Board

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Testimony as prepared for joint meeting of the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board and the MassDOT Board, September 21, 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, public comment to the Boards is via short phone messages that are played to the Board members at the beginning of each meeting. The I-90 Allston Project was on the agenda for the meeting and the following comment was provided by WalkBoston as a phone message.

Good morning Board members.

This is Wendy Landman, WalkBoston’s member of the I-90 Task Force and a veteran of the many-year I-90 environmental process.

I would like to begin my comments by thanking Secretary Pollack for specifically calling out walking and biking access to the Charles, and planning for dual paths along the Charles in her recent Boston Globe op ed.

As the Board and MassDOT turn to selecting a preferred alternative for the project I would like to remind you of the following sentence from the purpose and need section of MassDOT’s I–90 Scoping report:

…“including service that provides a north to south connection through the Project Area as well as for options that do not preclude future intercity rail service and transit service on the Grand Junction Rail line.”

Of the three alternatives now under study by MassDOT, only the at-grade and hybrid options rebuild the little Grand Junction bridge over Soldiers Field Road which would permit two–track rail service along the Grand Junction line to be added in the future. Because the highway viaduct option does not rebuild the little Grand Junction bridge, future Grand Junction service would require very significant, expensive and disruptive construction in the throat area again – essentially precluding such service. Hence, the highway viaduct option does not meet the project’s purpose and need as defined by MassDOT.

Among the alternatives under study, we believe that the at-grade alternative will best meet the project’s full purpose and need. We are pleased that conversations are now underway between some advocates, pro bono design teams and MassDOT to identify an at–grade alternative that serves all modes and all users of this critical transportation project AND helps restore the health and vitality of the Charles River and the Charles River Reservation.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the project.