traffic issues

[jh78.livejournal.com]

My wife and I live on Cedar Street and we are becoming increasingly disturbed by the speed that cars pass through this corridor between Broadway and the bike path.  If you have ever been down Cedar, you will notice that the center yellow line has been painted over, thus giving evidence that the street was not engineered for the two way traffic PLUS parking that exists today.  We have emailed the police department to see if we could get increased patrols in the area for speeding, but we only got one of those signs that tells you how fast you are going.  Yes, we know that we live on a busy street and should deal with it, but the minute someone gets injured crossing the street it will be too late. We are interested to see if anyone has suggestions on how we can get the city to add traffic calming measures here and elsewhere in the city.  Cambridge does it (especially around school zones), but Somerville seems to be lacking in this area.  Any thoughts?

Comments

[gildersleeve.livejournal.com]

In the old days there were three major things that slowed traffic down on Cedar St. One was the old Cedar Street Bridge - very bumpy and old. Two was the old railroad tracks where the bike path is - those looooong freight trains would back the whole street up, though mostly in off-hours. Three was something that slowed down all of Somerville's streets - kids playing! Seriously, you couldn't drive a block without stopping for kids playing in and around all the major streets. While this seems like it would be more dangerous, it actually made people much more aware of their speed and surroundings. Now, not nearly as many kids out there, fewer of them that play outside - nevermind in the streets, and so many people who drive through Somerville are commuting THROUGH the city to avoid traffic rather than living in it and knowing all the neighbors (and having them know your car - so you would never speed on a street where people might shame you for it!)

I think if they expand the bikepath as proposed, they should make an elevated crosswalk there. As for the traffic nearer B'way - that new bridge is a big problem. Seems to me a police officer stationed on Franey Rd. with a radar gun a few times a week would send a decent message - but only in the short term.

Definitely call your alderman, though, that is what they are there for.