Free H1N1 shots

At the Gardner School until 5:00 today

View from the Western Ave bridge

I was sitting in traffic yesterday on the Western Ave bridge and took this photo of the "view" such as it is. We should definitely do better when rebuilding it.

Hole in Allston letter to the Editor

Colleen McGuire is getting frustrated and write about it to the Globe - Hole in Allston - The Boston Globe

For more beautiful bridges

There are many important subjects to consider after Wednesday's meeting on the reconstruction of the Western Ave and River St bridges. (The presentation from the meeting can be downloaded here). Safe bridges that are accessible and accommodating for transportation and recreation are a must. For this post, I'd like to consider how the bridges look, what people can see from them, and how to make pedestrians safer.

According to the Charles River Master Plan, these bridges were the subject of a 1923 design competition to create bridges that would be "worthy expressions of the best that a cultured community can create." While I appreciate the graceful arches of the bridges when they are viewed from a distance, it is hard to find anything beautiful about the bridges when one is on the bridge.



With this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rebuild and reconsider these bridges, it seems appropriate to rethink both how the bridges look and function. The bridges won't be rebuilt entirely as part of this project, but there will be extensive reconstruction and some portions of the bridges will be completely rebuilt.



One possibility is to add a barrier between the roadway and the sidewalk. This would protect pedestrians by preventing cars in an accident from ending up on the sidewalk. It would also make it possible to use a railing instead of a wall between the sidewalk and the water, as is done on the Mass Ave Bridge a couple miles away. Children who are not tall enough to see over the existing wall would particularly enjoy the view through the railing, especially when watching rowers and other boats below.

In any case, after 87 years I think it is again time to consider what might be "the best that a cultured community can create."

Charles River bridge underpasses

The first meeting about the River St & Western Ave bridge reconstruction is tonight at 6 at the Honan Library, and the Charles River Conservancy has some interesting ideas in this poster about how bridge underpasses could improve our safety and enjoyment of the river.

http://thecharles.org/projects/underpasses/Poster-Underpasses-2010jan12.pdf

Allston on Chronicle this Friday

Friday's show (7:30 on Channel 5) will take a look at stalled development projects in Allston and elsewhere in Boston.

Friday, February 5: Arrested Development

More on the New Balance proposal

Seems to me that what New Balance is proposing would do a whole lot more to improve the neighborhood than a big box home improvement store ever could.

Companies vie for Brighton site - BostonHerald.com

Upcoming zoning hearing

65-67 Surrey Street - Erect a one story addition in rear. Remove and replace second floor stair and decks.
http://www.cityofboston.gov/ons/pdfs/allstonbright.pdf

Brighton Landing proposal described at Brighton Centered

Mike Pahre posts some information about the large development being planned for alongside the Mass Pike between Stop & Shop and New Balance. A public meeting is being held at on February 10 at 6:30 on the 2nd floor at 20 Guest Street.

From what I know about this proposal, I think it could be great. Obviously some major transportation improvements would be needed, and this project could help move forward the construction of a commuter rail stop. The Mass Pike improvements could be good in their own right, and also take some load off the River Street / Doubletree traffic nightmare.

The Guest St / Braintree St area could be a lot more than it is today and hopefully this will be a step in the right direction.

LivableStreets handout for Wednesday's bridge meeting

Wednesday at 6:00 at the Honan Library is the first public meeting about the State's planned project improve the Western Ave and River St bridges. The great people at LivableStreets have created this handout that suggests some key points to consider making if you attend the meeting.