East Street Bridge - A Problem that Will Not Go Away
So far in 2010, I'm aware of only one accident under the East Street bridge, but it's only a matter of time before there are more. The Pedestrian and Bike Safety Committee has been researching the history of efforts to address safety concerns about this low, narrow passageway. Over the years, there have been many accidents like the one in the video below--from just this past December. watch past the annoying 10-second lead-in
We have heard a number of suggestions and a number of cautions about the difficulties in obtaining consensus on a solution. Apparently, in 1995, the MBTA presented recommendations to a community meeting at the Hanlon (Pine Hill) school but there was significant opposition to proposals to raise the height of the bridge because of the fear it would open East Street up to large truck traffic from Route 128. In the past 2 years, over a dozen vehicle accidents have occurred, including 4 with significant injuries--mostly from trucks traveling west; others from vehicles hitting the curb or side of the passage. The approaches to the bridge are now thoroughly signed with low clearance, no trucks, narrow bridge, etc., but the accidents continue. There have been no pedestrian injuries we are aware of but perhaps that is more a testament to the common sense of Westwood residents than luck.
Comments
East Street Bridge
I have lived a few doors down from the bridge for 10 years. My guess is that there have been about 100 accidents @ the bridge in that time period. Truthfully, many of them have had their origins with individuals who had rented a large box truck and were unfamiliar with the height issues @ the bridge. However, speed/reckless driving has also been an issue. Some of the more serious accidents @ the bridge have been in part due to driver inattention and speed. There have been pedestrians in the cross walk @ Carroll and East (right before the bridge if you were coming from 128) who have sustained injuries in part due to reckless driving, speed, inattention and driver aggression. Not to mention the two car accident in May 2009 that resulted in a fatality @ St. Denis and East. I am not sure changing the bridge structure will fix the problem. More enforcement of the laws that govern driving behavior would have a much greater and immediate impact. But self regulation ideally would be a better option. There are other structural changes that could physically be made to East Street to force drivers to regulate their behavior, without requiring the intervention of law enforcement. There is not a simple solution to this problem; however the will to solve it is the first essential facet to the solution. Dave, thank you for maintaining a spotlight on East Street Bridge issue.
The bridge is also beneficial
Just to play devil's advocate - the bridge also serves as a gateway to Islington and acts as a natural traffic calming measure. Think about all the kids running across the road during Little League games. And it keeps (most) truck traffic off East Street.
Frankly, I see the bridge as a problem for pedestrians but not cars. Drivers just need better signage. I could suggest several things such as: 1) put better signage on the bridge and surround it with flashing yellow lights, 2) paint "caution low bridge" on the road surface between Smith Drive and St. Denis, 3) place a pedestrian walk signal at Carrol Ave that flashes yellow, and my favorite solution -do all of the above and 4) NARROW the bridge opening to 1 lane to provide safer pedestrian access and force inbound drivers to stop at Carrol Ave to allow outbound traffic right of way. Yes, it will back up traffic on East Street, so what.
East Street Bridge
I agree to a point that the bridge is more dangerous to pedestrians than cars, however within the last 2 weeks there was yet another High school student involved in a head on collision there. Thankfully, he walked away with minor injuries but as Ive said before its only a matter of time. A one way would be very difficult, but I do like the idea of a traffic signal at Caroll Avenue. The cars fly over that hill - I live off of Carroll Avenue and see it all the time. The poor people trying to cross in that crosswalk are taking their lives in their hands! I still think there must be a way to make a pedestrian tunnel around (the outside of the existing walls) of the bridge. There is so much brush there, that it would seem easy enough to do.....just my thoughts..Thanks Dave for keeping this discussion out there.