HelloBostonHi
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I have no source for this info beyond this but exciting if true. And crazy quick turnaround if true.
With the City of Somerville, the City of Medford submitted an application this spring to MassDOT for a “quick build” dedicated bus lane pilot on Mystic Ave., from Main St. in Medford to McGrath Highway in Somerville. Under Medford’s proposal a dedicated bus lane would be available to MBTA buses only, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. “Quick build” projects utilize paint and signage for projects, allowing for quicker implementation and for projects to undergo pilot programs and review prior to deciding whether to make the bus lane permanent. Medford and Somerville share portions of Mystic Ave., with other sections also falling under the purview of MassDOT. Following final plan approval by MassDOT, the bus lane could be painted as early as this fall.
“A dedicated bus lane on such a highly used road that serves not only Medford and Somerville residents, but commuters from surrounding communities, will improve transit access and reliability, provide better connections to regional jobs and healthcare, and will be critical in helping workers and vulnerable populations recover from the economic impact of the pandemic,” Mayor Lungo-Koehn said. “I am, again, thankful to MassDOT for streamlining the grant process to allow projects like these, and other Shared and Complete Streets initiatives, to move forward in the best interests of our communities.”
I don't know how I missed (or forgot?) about this:
2 new miles of "morning inbound rush" direction "temp-to-perm" bus lane on Mystic Ave in Medford coming this fall:
1 Mystic Ave to MA-28
goo.gl
Mystic Ave (MA-38) is something of a "pre-I93" relic in this area, similar to how Rt99 Rutherford Ave is too wide, but Medford disagrees on what the final "road diet" would look like.
Mystic Ave, today, is host only to the 95 Bus from Arl Cen/W.Med to Sullivan via Medford Sq. It was not on the list of corridors that the MBTA identified. But during COVID the 95 has maintained its weekday service levels, and has an increased importance since the 325 Express bus has been suspended due to COVID.
I suspect that Medford took this as a good moment to put Mystic Ave on at least a little bit of a "road diet" and "pro transit" footing, since it is an area ("back of Winter Hill / South Medford") identified for TOD, if it only had good transit.
I hadn't seen this one before. This will be really important for bus routes that have the potential to hit both Orange@Sullivan and GLX@East Somerville.
- Washington Street in Somerville between McGrath Highway and Sullivan Square
Picture an 86+ from Harvard Sq that used the extra speed to keep going to Everett Square.
Picture ab 95+ from West Medford Sq that used the extra speed to extend from Sullivan to Washington or even Lechmere
According to the MBTA website, that corridor is getting queue jumps at some intersections this fall. Hopefully full lanes will come soon.
My map is as complete as I can get it - let me know if I'm missing anything.
2 new miles of "morning inbound rush" direction "temp-to-perm" bus lane on Mystic Ave in Medford coming this fall:
1 Mystic Ave to MA-28
goo.gl
how can you capture the "temp-to-perm" and "AM inbound only" lanes that will run for 2 miles on Mystic Ave (but apparently be "painted" this fall) on your maps?
FWIW color-choice feedback: maybe it is my monitor, but the yellow part-time lanes are near-invisible (the yellow is too close to the street-White and block-Grey) if you don't know where to lookI have my map divided by color depending on when it was/will be installed, and separate items for each direction. Part-time lanes like this one are in lighter colors.
Yeah, still trying to figure out what to do there. Google Maps Maker has a very limited color palette.FWIW color-choice feedback: maybe it is my monitor, but the yellow part-time lanes are near-invisible (the yellow is too close to the street-White and block-Grey) if you don't know where to look
Make bus lanes “toll lanes”. Any vehicle that isn’t a bus pays a $100 toll. That’ll keep the bus lane almost entirely empty for buses while bringing in revenue from terrible drivers and/or a few rich assholes who will willingly pay the toll.In Mass you can't issue fines via camera alone. Has to be witnessed by an officer.