Kudos to Boston Transportation Department: Plans for Boylston St and Audubon Circle will better for all users
Kudos to Boston Transportation Department
Plans for Boylston St and Audubon Circle will better for all users
On September 17, Vineet Gupta from the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) and consultants HNTB presented their final conceptual plans for a redesigned Boylston St and Audubon Circle. Based on previous feedback from the Fenway/Longwood/Kenmore community as well as a wide range of advocacy groups, the latest designs put a strong emphasis on non-motorized users while preserving traffic capacity.
The plan for Boylston St calls for wide sidewalks, bike lanes, many more trees, and curb extensions at intersections to reduce crossing distances. The vision for Boylston St is that of an urban boulevard, one that complements the many redevelopment efforts taking place to replace car-oriented businesses with mixed-use pedestrian-friendly buildings. The plan for Audubon Circle calls for expanding the sidewalks and closing in the corners, creating mini-plazas. It also calls for realignment of lanes, the addition of bike lanes, and the retiming of signals to improve the intersection's safety and operation.
Based on the consensus from the meeting, the Boylston St plans will be the finalized conceptual plans. The crowd also thought favorably of the Audubon Circle plans, although BTD will be holding an additional meeting near Audubon Circle to ensure that nearby residents are fully informed and have a chance to give feedback if they have not done so already. Once consensus is reached on the Audubon Circle plans, BTD will move forward with having detailed technical plans created from both conceptual plans, with a goal of starting construction in 2010.
Meeting notes and conceptual plans can be found on BTD's website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/transportation/flk/.
LivableStreets commends and applauds BTD and the consultants for creating plans that truly serve the needs of all users. Boylston St and Aububon Circle will without a doubt serve residents and visitors better as these designs become reality, contributing to the economic and social vitality of the neighborhood.