Safety Measures Announced for BU Bridge Following Tragic Cycling Incident
The BU Bridge Safety Alliance held a public meeting on Thursday with representatives from Cambridge, Boston, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to address safety issues along the BU Bridge corridor. This meeting comes in the wake of the tragic death of John Corcoran, a cyclist who was fatally struck while riding near the Boston University Boathouse.
Advocates have long expressed concerns about the safety of the BU Bridge corridor. In light of recent events, officials announced plans for immediate and long-term safety improvements. DCR and Boston officials confirmed that significant changes to traffic signals and lane configurations will be implemented this fall. Peter Furth, co-founder of the BU Bridge Safety Alliance and a civil engineering professor, outlined proposed updates aimed at improving safety, particularly for cyclists. These include separating bike lane signals from those of turning vehicles, with a focus on minimizing conflicts at busy intersections.
John Monacelli, a principal transportation engineer with Boston, elaborated on the measures set for the bridge, which include adjusting lane usage to provide separate right-turn lanes and extending the timing for cyclists to clear intersections. "We’re going to phase separately," Monacelli explained, ensuring that vehicles and cyclists proceed independently.
Additionally, ongoing construction by the DCR is underway to enhance the areas surrounding the bridge, including reduced speed limits, new bike ramps, and wider sidewalks. The alliance also advocates for protected bike lanes with flexposts and improvements to memorialize Corcoran’s tragic accident site.
State Rep. Mike Connolly expressed cautious optimism about the progress made and called for continued efforts to enhance safety along the BU Bridge corridor. As community efforts and official initiatives converge, stakeholders hope for a safer environment for all commuters.
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Photo credit www.boston.com
