{"id":2213,"date":"2019-06-10T07:00:43","date_gmt":"2019-06-10T11:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/?p=2213"},"modified":"2019-06-10T09:25:26","modified_gmt":"2019-06-10T13:25:26","slug":"west-rox-walks-letter-to-btd-re-centre-and-spring-streets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/2019\/06\/10\/west-rox-walks-letter-to-btd-re-centre-and-spring-streets\/","title":{"rendered":"West Rox Walks Letter to BTD re Centre and Spring Streets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Our friends and fellow travelers at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/westroxwalks\/\">West Rox Walks<\/a> recently completed <a href=\"http:\/\/www.walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/2019\/05\/20\/west-roxbury-walk-audit-complete\/\">a Walk Audit documenting pedestrian safety concerns in the neighborhood<\/a>, particularly along the Centre Street Corridor. To further their efforts to make West Roxbury a more walkable neighborhood, they recently sent <a href=\"http:\/\/walkuproslindale.org\/pdf\/2019-06-07 West Rox Walks Letter to Chief of Streets re Centre and Spring Street Safety.pdf\">a letter<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boston.gov\/departments\/transportation\/chris-osgood\">Chris Osgood, the Chief of the Streets, Transportation, and Sanitation for the City of Boston<\/a>, seeking a major street redesign that would consider safety for all street users. WalkUP Roslindale proudly joined this letter, as did many other Boston-area organizations that promote walkability as well as pedestrian and bicycle safety. <a href=\"http:\/\/walkuproslindale.org\/pdf\/2019-06-07 West Rox Walks Letter to Chief of Streets re Centre and Spring Street Safety.pdf\">The full letter<\/a> is reproduced below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"http:\/\/walkuproslindale.org\/pdf\/2019-06-07 West Rox Walks Letter to Chief of Streets re Centre and Spring Street Safety.pdf\">West Rox Walk Letter to Chris Osgood re Centre and Spring Street Safety (PDF)<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>June 7, 2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By Electronic Mail Only (chris.osgood@boston.gov)<br>Boston Transportation Department<br>1 City Hall Square, Room 721<br>Boston, MA 02201-2043<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Attention: Chris Osgood, Chief of the Streets, Transportation, and Sanitation <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dear Mr. Osgood:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2018, the United States saw the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ghsa.org\/sites\/default\/files\/2019-02\/FINAL_Pedestrians19.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">largest number of pedestrians killed (6,227) in motor vehicle crashes<\/a> in nearly 30 years. West Roxbury residents have experienced this trend firsthand with, in aggregate, one car crash every six weeks <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.boston.gov\/vision-zero\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">involving a person walking or riding a bicycle on Centre and Spring Streets <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.boston.gov\/vision-zero\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">over the past four years<\/a>. Notably, these incidents include two serious crashes involving \npedestrians walking across Centre Street at the intersection with \nHastings Street. The crashes resulted in one severe traumatic brain \ninjury in November 2015 and one fatality in<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bostonglobe.com\/metro\/2019\/02\/06\/pedestrian-struck-west-roxbury-dies\/pX5ozXQ5B1b6E3jFpYoanK\/story.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">February 2019<\/a>. Additionally, there have been 11 car crashes with cyclists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These safety concerns were also reported by West Roxbury Main Streets in their <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/static1.squarespace.com\/static\/5c48d31f710699200cc1c0db\/t\/5c4b8696562fa7de1aa54336\/1548453550428\/Imagine-West-Roxbury-Final-Aug16.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">2016 Imagine West Roxbury Report<\/a>.  A survey of 702 residents found that nearly 3 in 4 respondents  identified the street design as a major barrier to walkability and  access to local businesses, and nearly 200 residents requested  improvements to cyclist and pedestrian safety, traffic calming, and  better parking. We are writing to request your support for the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.boston.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/go_boston_2030_-_full_report_to_download.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Go Boston 2030 top priority project to create walk- and bike-friendly main streets<\/a> via  the following changes to Centre and Spring Streets in West Roxbury: 1)  traffic lane reduction, 2) improved crosswalks, and 3) addition of  protected bicycle lanes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A  \u201croad diet\u201d on Centre and Spring Streets would help decrease motor  vehicle travel speeds to posted speed limits, which significantly <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/aaafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/2011PedestrianRiskVsSpeedReport.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">reduces the risk of severe injury to pedestrians struck by vehicles<\/a> and would likely decrease <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fhwa.dot.gov\/publications\/research\/safety\/04100\/04100.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">crosswalk fatalities<\/a><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fhwa.dot.gov\/innovation\/everydaycounts\/edc_4\/guide_to_improve_uncontrolled_crossings.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">. <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fhwa.dot.gov\/innovation\/everydaycounts\/edc_4\/guide_to_improve_uncontrolled_crossings.pdf\">Crosswalk improvements recommended<\/a> include: high-visibility crosswalk markings, parking restrictions on crosswalk  approach, adequate nighttime lighting, advance yield here to and stop  signs, curb extensions, and pedestrian hybrid beacons. Finally, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boston.gov\/departments\/boston-bikes\/better-bike-lanes\">Better Bike Lanes<\/a> <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.strongtowns.org\/journal\/2018\/5\/31\/how-bike-lanes-benefit-businesses\" target=\"_blank\">would <\/a>increase access to the Main Streets <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.strongtowns.org\/journal\/2018\/5\/31\/how-bike-lanes-benefit-businesses\" target=\"_blank\">district<\/a><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.popsci.com\/protected-bike-lanes-safer-roads\" target=\"_blank\">, improve safety for all<\/a>, and are widely <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=2754097061271191&amp;set=gm.2769271766433295&amp;type=3&amp;theater&amp;ifg=1\" target=\"_blank\">supported by over 80% of local businesses.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\n eagerly await the proposal of a major street redesign, which includes \nsafety for all street users, at the upcoming meeting on June 20, 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sincerely,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>William Vincent, West Rox Walks<br> Jacob Robinson, West Roxbury Main Streets<br> Ben Wetherill, West Roxbury Bicycle Chapter<br> Brendan Kearney, WalkBoston<br> Matthew Lawlor, WalkUP Roslindale<br> Becca Wolfson, Boston Cyclists Union<br> Rachel Poliner, Progressive WRox\/Roz<br> Ambar Johnson, Liveable Streets<br> Alan Wright, RozzieBikes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Copy to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gregory Rooney, Commissioner, Property Management<br>\nJack Duggan, Mayor\u2019s Office of Neighborhood Services<br>\nMatt O\u2019Malley, District 6 City Councilor<br>\nMichelle Wu, At-Large City Councilor<br>\nAlthea Garrison, At-Large City Councilor<br>\nMichael F. Flaherty, At-Large City Councilor<br>\nAnnissa Essaibi-George, At-Large City Councilor<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"648\" height=\"104\" data-attachment-id=\"2214\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/2019\/06\/10\/west-rox-walks-letter-to-btd-re-centre-and-spring-streets\/image-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/image.png?fit=1001%2C160&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1001,160\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/image.png?fit=300%2C48&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/image.png?fit=648%2C104&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/image.png?resize=648%2C104&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/image.png?w=1001&amp;ssl=1 1001w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/image.png?resize=300%2C48&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/image.png?resize=768%2C123&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our friends and fellow travelers at West Rox Walks recently completed a Walk Audit documenting pedestrian safety concerns in the neighborhood, particularly along the Centre Street Corridor. To further their efforts to make West Roxbury a more walkable neighborhood, they recently sent a letter to Chris Osgood, the Chief of the Streets, Transportation, and Sanitation [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[13],"tags":[470,428,15,325,168,467,350,351],"class_list":["post-2213","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-safety","tag-better-bike-lanes","tag-chris-osgood","tag-go-boston-2030","tag-goboston-2030","tag-walk-audit","tag-west-rox-walks","tag-west-roxbury","tag-west-roxbury-main-streets"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6X5no-zH","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2213","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2213"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2213\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2219,"href":"https:\/\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2213\/revisions\/2219"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2213"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2213"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/walkuproslindale.org\/weblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2213"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}