StreetLife

Issue #121 - December 2017

In this issue:

• Help advocate for #TransitNotTraffic for Allston I-90 project
• Support LivableStreets this holiday season
• BostonBRT winners announced at StreetTalk 10-in-1
• Pilot bus-only lane on Washington Street in Roslindale drastically reduces commute times
• Protected bike lanes on Beacon Street in the Back Bay are under construction
• Check out the new Vision Zero Action Plan Guidelines
• We're hiring! Emerald Network Program Manager

What's happening 

Help advocate for #TransitNotTraffic for Allston I-90 project

Speak up to ensure that the Allston I-90 Interchange Improvement Project benefits the community and is truly multimodal.

Earlier this month, MassDOT announced their intention to delay building West Station until 2040. There have been several public meetings this month, with one more scheduled for early January.

We need you to show up and speak up! Here are three things you can do to advocate for smart growth, better transit, and livable streets:

Allston I-90 Interchange Project DEIR Public Meeting
Wednesday, January 3, 6:00 - 8:30 pm 
@ The Morse School
40 Granite Street, Cambridge

We hope to see you there!

Support LivableStreets this holiday season

From making progress on our vision for the Emerald Network, to pushing for more resources for Vision Zero in Boston, and advocating for Better Buses across the region - LivableStreets has advocated tirelessly throughout 2017 for safe, equitable streets for all in Metro Boston.

We've got big plans for 2018, and you can help us jump-start the new year right now:

• Become a member (or renew your membership for 2018!)
• Encourage your employer to become a business member
• Make a one-time donation
• Learn about other ways to give, whether it’s recommending grants or supporting businesses that support us

Wishing a safe & happy New Year to all!

Wins 

BostonBRT winners announced at StreetTalk 10-in-1

We had record attendance at our seventh annual StreetTalk 10-in-1, an inspired evening of stories and ideas for the future of our streets. In case you missed it, here are photos from the event, and some highlights from the evening:

• Barr Foundation and BostonBRT announced the winning cities for the bus pilot RFP. Arlington, Cambridge/Watertown, and Everett will each receive a $100,000 grant to pilot bus rapid transit projects in the coming year. 

• We released "Finding a Cure for Longwood's Transportation Challenges." The report follows a year of public engagement in the Longwood Area and the collection of 1500+ responses to our multimodal survey. Read the executive summary now; full report will be available soon on our website.
  

• We announced the Vision Zero Action Plan Guidelines. In partnership with the Vision Zero Network, the MA Vison Zero Coalition has created a set of recommendations that will help cities and towns actively plan for and implement Vision Zero. 

Pilot bus-only lane on Washington Street in Roslindale drastically reduces commute times

Our Better Buses Keep Rozzie Moving campaign made great strides in the past couple of weeks -- the City of Boston launched a limited, operational pilot for a bus-only lane on Washington Street in Roslindale on December 12.

The City and the MBTA converted curbside parking and a bike lane into a bus lane (shared by people biking) during the morning rush hour. Our Street Ambassadors heard from riders that this cost-effective pilot drastically reduced commute times, despite ongoing construction near Forest Hills Station.

We are looking forward to a longer three- to four-week pilot planned for the spring, in hopes that this bus lane becomes permanent and serves as a model for other corridors across the region.

Check out this StreetsBlog article for more coverage of the pilot, and let the City of Boston know that you support #BetterBuses! 

Protected bike lanes on Beacon Street in the Back Bay are under construction

Construction has begun on protected bike lanes on Beacon Street in the Back Bay! The protected bike lanes are one of several safety improvements that are part of the Vision Zero redesign of this section of Beacon Street. 

Our Street Ambassadors were out on the street talking to residents and passersby about the coming changes earlier this month, and will be back out there come spring! 

Check out the new Vision Zero Action Plan Guidelines

LivableStreets and the Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition have been working with the national Vision Zero Network to produce a set of guidelines for cities to create effective Vision Zero Action Plans. The guidelines will help committed cities effectively move from planning to on-the-ground implementation and institutionalization of safety priorities. Check out the guidelines here!

Opportunities 

We're hiring! Emerald Network Program Manager

LivableStreets is seeking a highly motivated, full-time Program Manager to provide effective coordination and implementation of the Emerald Network!

The Program Manager will lead and shape the program and overall strategic direction for the Emerald Network-- bringing us closer to achieving our vision of a seamless 200 mile greenway network. We need your help to find a Program Manager to continue to move this important and growing initiative forward. 

Click here to learn more about the Emerald Network Program Manager position and apply. We are looking to fill this position in January 2018, so please share this email far and wide to help us find a great Program Manager.