Description

The City began repairing Maple Ave today, thank you! However - I have written many times here, asking the City to incorporate a raised intersection to slow traffic at the intersection of Maple Ave & Marie Ave, where there is a busy and peaceful tot lot playground - and I have not yet heard an affirmative to this essential addition to the repair.

Now is the time.

Cars frequently speed down Maple Ave from Cambridge Street at 40-50 miles per hour, putting the small children & families who frequent the park - as well as every resident of Maple Ave - at great risk of serious physical injury or death. I asked one of the workers today if they were incorporating the raised intersection into the repair, since they were tearing up that very intersection, and they said they didn't know.

Signs will not slow these cars. Only a physical, traffic-calming structure will get the message across to speeders.

I received a flyer a week or so ago from "The Works" stating that this roadwork would be starting. In it, there is a name and number (Yaser Sammerraei at 617-388-1334) to contact for any concerns. I realize that Mr. Sammerraei is not likely sitting at his desk at every minute, but I have called and left a message describing the issue and requesting a call-back 2X in 2 days to emphasize the need for a raised intersection at this intersection. I have not yet heard back.

The purpose of this request is to insure that this much-needed work (the repair of Maple) does not exclude something as critical as a traffic-calming, raised intersection. We have them all over the City, and I can't think of any place in Cambridge where this type of structure would provide a more vital protection to our young citizens and their families.

As I said - the workers and equipment are out there now. The entirety of Maple Avenue has been torn up in preparation for complete repaving. Here is the opportunity to incorporate the raised intersection I and so many other residents of this neighborhood have asserted as entirely necessary, and potentially life-saving.

Now is the time. Please.