Mayor Thomas M. Menino will introduce a parking debit card today to give drivers another option at 7,200 Boston meters that until now were coin-only.
The officially named Boston Meter Card is designed to be swiped at the time of parking and again when leaving, so drivers pay only for time used, down to the nickel. That means no more racing back to fill an expiring meter or driving off with time left on the clock. (full story)
Massachusetts joined over 1,000 cities in 40 countries around the globe to celebrate World Car-Free Day on September 22, 2011. World Car-Free Day began in Europe and has quickly spread to communities globally as a way to promote the environmental, financial, community, and health benefits of using public transportation, carpooling, bicycling, walking, and teleworking.
The results are in. Over 2,030 individuals and 470 businesses in Massachusetts celebrated Massachusetts Car-Free Week by traveling car-free and tracking their trips.
Participants tracked a total of 38,391 miles through walking, bicycling, using public transportation, carpooling, and vanpooling. If travelers had driven that mileage, it would have cost approximately $40,253 in car ownership fees. They not only saved money, they also reduced gasoline consumption by 1,891 gallons.
Due to the actions of the Car-Free Week participants, 17.52 tons of carbon dioxide were prevented from entering our environment. Nice job, Massachusetts! (more)
Boston Water & Sewer has notified Boston University that their contractor, Lou Russo Corp., will be restoring pavement as a result of the underground utility project that was completed last year.
This project will take place (weather dependent) effective today, June 21, 2011 through the first week of July. The pavement restoration project will affect the following streets:
Bay State Road, Silber Way, George Hart Way, Granby St. and University Road.
If there are any emergencies related to this project please contact the emergency desk at 617-353-2105.
Boston University Police and the Boston Police Dept. will be in the area to assist with traffic flow. There are no road closures to report at this time.
Please use care and caution while in the area.
Tonight, 5/6/11, I-93 North will be closed between Somerville and Stoneham for a test run of the potential closure coming this summer. For more information about the coming bridge closing, please visit the link below.
[via Boston.com]
The MBTA has announced that beginning this Spring, Inner and Outer Express Bus passes are now available to faculty and staff on CharlieCards. Inner and Outer Express Bus Passes are valid for travel on the Local Bus, Subway, Inner Harbor Ferry and Commuter Rail Zone 1A. Currently, CharlieCards can only be read by the busses and subway gates. Therefore, if you use your Inner or Outer Express Bus Pass to ride the Inner Harbor Ferry or Commuter Rail Zone 1A, you will need to continue using a monthly ticket for inspection on these modes where the CharlieCard is not yet readable. For more information, please contact the Parking & Transportation Services Office.
The MBTA announced today that beginning on Monday, the green line will run nearly triple the number of three-car trains currently in service. The B and D lines will be the biggest beneficiaries although three car service will be introduced on the E line as well. The added E line train service will also allow three car service to Lechemere. For the full announcement click the link below.
Traffic Update: BU Bridge, Cambridge-Boston, Mon-Fri Mar 7-11, closed to traffic 8pm-5am. Also, reduced to 1 alternating lane, 10am-2pm
via City of Boston
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
TRAFFIC ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
December 9, 2010
Evening/Overnight Southbound Closure
Boston University Bridge
Southbound traffic will be detoured to the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge
MassDOT crews will be working overnight on the Boston University Bridge, which carries traffic over the Charles River between Cambridge and Boston.
Beginning Sunday, December 12, 2010 the bridge will be closed to all southbound (Cambridge-to-Boston) traffic Sunday to Friday from 8 PM to 5 AM for approximately two weeks. During the southbound closure, all Cambridge-to-Boston traffic will be detoured to the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge. Buses and emergency vehicles will be permitted to cross the bridge.
The upstream (Boston-bound) sidewalk will remain open during the bridge closure for bicycle and pedestrian access. Charles River passage will also be maintained.
At all other times, traffic has been reduced to one lane in each direction from Boston to Cambridge until further notice. The downstream (Cambridge-bound) sidewalk remains closed as well.
For transportation news and updates visit the MassDOT website at www.mass.gov/massdot, the MassDOT blog at www.mass.gov/blog/transportation or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot.
To keep up to date on the BU Bridge project, please visit the site below from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/charlesriverbridges/BUBridge.html