Snow on MBTA Busway Sidewalk

[smoterh.livejournal.com]

This is the 2nd time in the row that the MBTA Busway sidewalk has not been shoveled (the sidewalk from Grove St going to the Davis T Stop)  Is the sidewalk property of the city or the adjacent  office building? 

Although typically unshoveled sidewalks don't induce foaming rage for me,  the fact that this busy sidewalk isn't shoveled is a huge pain.  I've seen people walk on the busway to avoid breaking their legs on the sidewalk, but the MBTA buses are definitely intent on running down  pedestrians those who have overstepped this magical boundary.

Comments

[hammercock.livejournal.com]

You reminded me that I had been meaning to call 311 about it, so I just did. We'll see what happens.

A winter or two ago I called about the same thing, and lo, a day or so later the sidewalk was cleared.

[smoterh.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Let's see if this works.

[hammercock.livejournal.com]

Well, as of this morning, it was evident that nothing had been done. Maybe more people need to complain?

It's a hazard

[mattglet.livejournal.com]

As someone who works in the adjacent building, I can tell you that I'm surprised someone hasn't gotten hurt yet (broken ankle, leg, etc.)

I've seen many people fall while trying to walk down the sidewalk, and even more walking in the busway, which I'm sure doesn't thrill the drivers.

Re: It's a hazard

[jac6787.livejournal.com]

Hey! I work in that building too.

[smacaski.livejournal.com]

I've assumed it was the office building's responsibility. I never imagined it as being the city's property--if it was, I'd guess that the city would eventually get around to shoveling it, but I don't think I've EVER seen it shoveled.

Kinda related question: when are the two giant piles of broken branches on Grove going to be removed? Will that be part of the normal trash day?

[ron_newman]

probably never until someone reports them to 311 -- so please do so now.

It's not the first time...

[wardv.livejournal.com]

This seems to happen every time there is some snow. For some reason, the MBTA shovels about half of the busway (the part closest to the T stop) and the rest is just left unshoveled.

I reported this via the online 311 thing on the city website Wednesday evening. As you noted it was still unshoveled this morning. Does the city even check the online 311 system anymore? It works well for reporting graffiti but I have had another outstanding request on there for months now about the bike path lights that seem to be on most of the day - total waste of power.

I don't know who owns the busway, but the rest of the path towards willow and beyond is owned by the MBTA (they got it from Boston and Maine) and on a 99 year lease to the city.

Re: It's not the first time...

[aroraborealis.livejournal.com]

The MBTA shovels their stretch of the sidewalk. The building owners of 48 Grove St are responsible for the unshoveled parts. They are terrible neighbors.

[dibalh.livejournal.com]

My pet peeve is the (non-Davis) bridge on Rte. 28 between Pearl & Medford. I've been catching my bus in the morning by walking ON THE HIGHWAY, for the second storm in a row. I contact 311 each time, of course. Doesn't get the job done.

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

The DCR was pretty good about clearing the sidewalks on the commuter rail overpass on Alewife Brook Parkway.

But 28 (McGrath/O'Brien) was recently transferred from the DCR to MassDOT (aka MassHighway), so they're the ones you should talk to.

[dibalh.livejournal.com]

I did this for December's storm, and MassDOT referred me to the city of somerville for sidewalk clearing.

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

Then that's part of the problem. Does Somerville accept that it's their responsibility to plow sidewalks on state bridges?

Is it possible to reach someone at the DPW who knows this stuff? One of the drawbacks of a 311-type system is that it makes it harder to get in touch with the people who actually do stuff and make decisions.

[dibalh.livejournal.com]

Because I've generally received a nominally-positive reply from 311 (I email them, rather than calling) to the tune of "I've submitted a request, we'll get on that", I haven't tried this. I should.

bad people

[remlee green (from livejournal.com)]

I heard a mom walking on the busway path this morning explaining to her little child that the people who didn't shovel their sidewalks were bad people. They ended up running down the slippery road to avoid the sidewalk, so they didn't get hit by a bus.

Re: bad people

[dial-zero.livejournal.com]

Way to instill values :)

[smammy]

MBTA buses are definitely intent on running down pedestrians

I don't think the buses are out to get you!

[daviscubed.livejournal.com]

OMG That's exactly what a bus would say if this was true!

[smammy]

You got me. HONK HONK. HONNNNNNK!

[dial-zero.livejournal.com]

Long day, this made me lol!

[afty.livejournal.com]

I noticed that too. It particularly sucks for us because we walk that way with our daughter to take her to daycare. I end up pushing her stroller in the street and hoping a bus won't come by and run us over.

[spatch]

I just want to know who should be responsible for doing something about the gigantic freakin' lake which appears every year at the College Ave end of the busway. Is it the T, or is it Monkeysex Savings Bank?

[lonelyholiday.livejournal.com]

I had a similar problem when I lived on the same block as the JFK school. If there was snow on the sidewalks when school was in session, it was cleared. But on weekends/holidays, or on snow days, it was ignored.

After a while I got fed up and left a message with 311 that I wasn't sure whose responsibility it was to clear sidewalks around a public school, the city or the school staff, but that they should remember that was a VERY BUSY path for local residents, whether students were in school or not. We don't all get snow days!

It was cleared pretty regularly after that.

So, from comments above, it doesn't sound like 311 complaints are always heeded... But with the number of people who walk past that school regularly, I wonder if they got a bunch of calls, and it takes quantity to get something done. Worth a call from multiple people!

It's been cleared

[wardv.livejournal.com]

Update - this section of sidewalk was finally cleared a few days ago.

I called 311 late last week and was told they already had a ticket open for this stretch of sidewalk. At that point, the city and MBTA (and building owner, I assume) were trying to figure out who was responsible for clearning the sidewalk there.

Seems like they came to a conclusion. I'm curious to know whose responsibility it is.

Re: It's been cleared

[smoterh.livejournal.com]

That's awesome! Thanks.