Carmageddon on Parker Street

by | Apr 29, 2021 | Newton, Schools, traffic | 35 comments

One of the signs that we seem to be on the mend: the traffic is back.  Parents driving their kids to South and the south-side middle schools say it was the worst traffic they’ve seen in years, even prior to the pandemic.  Even with encouragement to walk and bike to school, with school back in session full time, a new temporary schedule with nearly overlapping arrival and dismissal times, very few kids on the buses, no MBTA bus, and rainy weather, it was a perfect storm of sorts. Traffic backed up for close to a mile on Parker Street.  How were people moving around in your neighborhood today?

On a related note: Traffic Council is hearing an item tonight to install bicycle lanes on Parker Street

Confusing Signs!

Confusing Signs!

by | Dec 16, 2020 | traffic | 12 comments

Yes, it would be more fair to write about all the many, many traffic signs in Newton that are easy to understand. More fair, but less fun. So instead, here are three sets of signs that are somewhat baffling. First up, the “Do Not Enter” signs on the...
Laredo on traffic and parking

Laredo on traffic and parking

by | Mar 11, 2019 | bicycles, Marc Laredo, parking, streets and sidewalks, traffic | 10 comments

City Council President Marc Laredo shared some thoughts about traffic and parking in an email to campaign supporters (and also let them know that he will be seeking reelection).  Here’s the portion of his email about traffic and parking.

Dear Friends:

I hope that you and your families are doing well and looking forward to spring!
In this update, I will focus on two interrelated issues that are a source of continued frustration for Newton residents – traffic and parking.
 
As I travel through the city, whether walking, running, biking or driving, it is readily apparent that we have a lot of automobile traffic.  At times, it is difficult to walk or bike safely, and parking can be limited.  So what should we do?
 
We need to promote safe walking and bicycling and the use of mass transit. Yet, at the same time, we should acknowledge that

Globe columnist wonders: Is the bike-lane fever breaking?

by | Jan 9, 2019 | bicycles, traffic | 36 comments

Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby cites statistics showing a drop in bike commuting in his latest column.

Considering the billions of dollars that federal, state, and local governments have poured into bicycle infrastructure over the past decade, the steady drop in cycling amounts to a sharp vote of no confidence in bicycles as the much-touted wave of transportation’s future. So maybe it’s time for public officials and policy makers to turn their backs on the militant, self-righteous bike lobby and