Another summer of Storrow Drive lane closures & backups

This morning when biking along the Charles River I was disappointed to see that the State is again closing a lane of traffic on the outbound side of Storrow Drive to allow extra parking for events at the Charles River. That part of the city is well served by the Red and Green lines of the MBTA, and if our society is trying to discourage personal car use and encourage public transportation this isn't the way to do it.

For the convenience of a few hundred cars, thousands of unsuspecting drivers (heading to Allston, Brighton, and other points west) are significantly delayed by this lane closure, wasting time and money (in the form of $4/gallon gas) and polluting the air in the process. The State says that this lane closure is justified by its safety benefits because the parked cars "create a barrier between the road for park users". First, I doubt that there is a safety problem at all. On days when there is not parking on Storrow Drive, how many cars go flying off the road onto the paths and parkland of the Esplanade? Second, if there is a safety problem, I bet there are better ways to solve it - maybe enforce the speed limit or install a guard rail.

If you don't like the status quo, you can call or write to Rick Sullivan the commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation
251 Causeway St., Suite 600
Boston, MA 02114-2104
617-626-1250