Green Line Extension to Medford & Union Sq

Thanks for that video. It confirms my concern that 10 feet (walled on both sides) is extremely narrow for a shared-use path. It is probably comfortable for an exclusive bike path, but the 8 foot lane in the video would be almost impassable to a cyclist if there were pedestrians doing anything other than walking single file, completely to the right. Two additional feet is not much relief at all. Imagine a dog on even a short leash or a parent holding their child's hand. There will be crashes. Anyone and everyone can see this disaster coming, but they built it like this anyway.
 
fattony said:
Thanks for that video. It confirms my concern that 10 feet (walled on both sides) is extremely narrow for a shared-use path. It is probably comfortable for an exclusive bike path, but the 8 foot lane in the video would be almost impassable to a cyclist if there were pedestrians doing anything other than walking single file, completely to the right. Two additional feet is not much relief at all. Imagine a dog on even a short leash or a parent holding their child's hand. There will be crashes. Anyone and everyone can see this disaster coming, but they built it like this anyway.
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10 feet is what I've been using for a shared-use path with MassDOT design guidance for a couple of projects that I've been working on of late. That said, my paths typically include a grass strip between the roadway and the path and a 2'-0" minimum offset from the back of the path to any fixed objects such as walls and utility poles. Having that clear space makes all the difference.
 
North Shore said:
10 feet is what I've been using for a shared-use path with MassDOT design guidance for a couple of projects that I've been working on of late. That said, my paths typically include a grass strip between the roadway and the path and a 2'-0" minimum offset from the back of the path to any fixed objects such as walls and utility poles. Having that clear space makes all the difference.
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Absolutely. Cycling next to a barrier is very different than having open space there. And a pedestrian can always step off the path at a particularly congested moment. I would estimate that a barrier costs you about a foot of width in how it feels. On each side.
 
fattony said:
Absolutely. Cycling next to a barrier is very different than having open space there. And a pedestrian can always step off the path at a particularly congested moment. I would estimate that a barrier costs you about a foot of width in how it feels. On each side.
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Walked down Walnut st the other day and it looks like the path outbound towards Medford st. and onwards won't be as constrained by barriers as the inbound path. I think after initial curiosity use, Cross st. inbound to CX won't be used for recreation. I just hope that the short term improvements to McGrath highway make it a bit more pleasant to walk on because walking in to Leechmere on the path will be a fairly horrible experience.
 
fattony said:
Absolutely. Cycling next to a barrier is very different than having open space there. And a pedestrian can always step off the path at a particularly congested moment. I would estimate that a barrier costs you about a foot of width in how it feels. On each side.
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Same for driving, and walking, for that matter.
 
Looking at the Union Sq stop as it comes up to the Prospect St bridge and new residential tower.

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Is the Union Square branch still planned to open in December? If it was, there would be trains out testing, cosmetic touches to the new stations, and I think Lechmere would be closer-looking to complete. This looks like a next summer opening
 
They are taking their sweet time putting up the OCS poles that are bolted to the barrier wall, rather than drilled foundations.
 
Absolutely. Cycling next to a barrier is very different than having open space there.
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How wide is the Paul Dudley White path along the Charles as you approach Cambridge Street / River Street? That's pretty narrow and bounded by barriers on either side, and feels like a tight squeeze when passing or when someone is coming from the other direction.
 
It seems like progress has really slowed since announcing the delay :(
 
Anyone know what that cinder block structure is that they're building next to the elevator at Ball Square?
 
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