As it turns out, a request for enhanced bicycle lanes and pedestrian accommodations by cycling advocates is not what caused a delay in the Department of Transportation’s timeline for the project. Instead, the DOT had previously decided to move the project back a year, from 2018 to 2019, because it had misjudged the time it would take to acquire frontage along the corridor, needed to widen the roadway. Simultaneously, DOT initiated the overall design review because the project has been in the works for so many years and may not be up to standards.
And then Levin continues by getting MassDOT to commit to doing a better job communicating going forward and to preview what ahead..
There is good news in all this: [David] Anderson [deputy chief engineer at MassDOT] said the design review would focus on improving the project in line with the state’s Complete Streets program, which aims to improve accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. He said DOT is exploring the feasibility of creating bike lanes “by grade,” or at an elevated level to better protect cyclists from motorists on busy Needham Street. If the state is willing to pay for such an enhancement, I for one would be grateful (though even a simple bike lane would be better than the perilous situation that now exists).
It is very unfortunate that this long-delayed project is now one year behind schedule (with work to start in 2020 instead of 2019) but the good news is that is seems to be on track to correct some of the short comings of the original design.
Let’s just say I’m dismayed that Levin’s first editorial reinforced many peoples’ stereotypes of cyclists as spoiled, entitled, loudmouth obstructionists. Readers are going to remember that first editorial because it lines up with their prejudices — not so much the follow-up that clarifies the cycling community in fact has absolutely nothing to do with Needham Street’s delays.
This “walk back” is nice, but Andy, the damage from your bully pulpit is done and this doesn’t really undo it.
I applaud Andy for acknowledging that he didn’t get something right. He could have dodged the issue or tried to fudge a response, but he did neither. Wouldn’t it be nice if we all could do likewise? I don’t think Andy’s comments really added or subtracted from what people think of cyclists here in Newton or elsewhere. I think most of us can distinguish between good and responsible bicyclists like Shawn and many others who tirelessly promote bike programs and safety in Newton and really bad ones like the idiot I almost hit in the dark yesterday at 5 AM on my way to the Y. He was driving toward me in my lane on Center Street with no lights or reflective clothing. Oh, and he was also fiddling with a “smart” phone and he had the temerity to give me the bird when I honked to wake him up from whatever reverie he had lapsed into.
I’d love to get back onto a bicycle and do the Tour De Newton this June; but my reflexes are way down from where they used to be and I’m still a bit gun shy after flipping a small motor cycle a few years back. Congratulations to Jerry and others that make things like this possible. Anyhow, I think bicycling will easily survive Andy’s initial column.
Sorry Sean. I didn’t get your name right above. .