Barriers will soon be installed along the side of Washington Street in West Newton where a vehicle crashed into Sweet Tomatoes restaurant earlier this year, the Globe reports.
Barriers coming in front of the West Newton Sweet Tomatoes
by Village 14 | Jul 13, 2016 | Newton | 7 comments
Curiously, the Globe’s story is dated July 15. Nothing like getting ahead of the news.
DPW shared their plans for installing crash resistant bollards with the ward councilors several weeks ago and I am pleased that Sweet Tomatoes will reopen in August and that business owners, employees and customers in this area can feel safe.
I also went to this morning’s walkabout and will be coming back this evening as well to listen to and share ideas. This morning, I was delighted to talk to Jini Farley, the City’s ADA coordinator, who also happens to be visually impaired and uses a service dog to get around independently, and hear her thoughts on signals, crosswalks, sidewalk materials and other things that would make West Newton village more pedestrian friendly for people with disabilities too. There is a feeling of excitement and enthusiasm about this planning process that is very encouraging.
I share in the excitement and really like the way this planning is going. I’m also quite happy to hear about including our ADA coordinator to be certain West Newton village center will be safe for all pedestrians.
I don’t have an opinion about installing barriers at this particular location. I assume the rationale must be based at least in part on the investigation into the Sweet Tomatoes tragedy. But I am of the mindset that it’s much better to avoid a tragedy, rather than responding after the fact…
With that in mind, I want to make public once again my concern about the post 11pm– 4-way flashing red light at the intersection of Washington and Walnut. I pass through that intersection twice after 11pm most nights. I have seen many cars go right through that flashing light at or above the speed limit. This particular intersection is ill suited for a 4-way flashing red. The extraordinary width of Washington Street and the traffic light at Lowell being clearly visible from a block away, combine to confuse drivers about the imperative of stopping for the flashing red. I’ve seen numerous near misses of what could easily have been fatal accidents. The City needs to stop playing Russian Roulette with people’s lives, and leave that traffic light at Washington and Walnut fully activated 24 hours a day.
I agree with Mike about turning off the traffic lights at West Newton Square. How did that ever come to be? Anywhere else in Newton lights work 24/7, as far as I know. What’s so special about this location?
If there is a rationale to place barriers in front of Sweet Tomatoes (and I think there is), then it would also suggest there are other locations which should be similarly protected.
It is my sincere hope that the Mayor does not wait for another tragedy to act, but instructs the DPW to develop (and implement) a plan to identify other of the most vulnerable locations for similar barriers to be placed before another car plows into a store/house.
It’s now almost 5 months after the Sweet Tomatoes tragedy and still no Investigation Report or Statement from the DA has been released. In fact, it has been dead silence. Time for the Boston Globe and Newton TAB to do a follow-up story and ask the DA for an update. The Citizens of Newton are waiting.