City Hall – DR assigned this issue to Traffic - KC (Admin)

THEY KNOW THIS BUT DON’T CARE!!! They will DO NOTHING to fix this

Every two minutes of idling is the equivalent of driving a mile. All that mileage is sitting in our N. Cambridge neighborhoods. So we've increased pollution and it takes twice as long to get anywhere. What a deal! Please let's have more of this wonderful traffic management.

It's just as bad trying to get back into Cambridge from Arlington via Mass Ave, if you dare to leave in the early morning or you work overnight. Waited 2 light cycles on the bridge where a single car didn't move because the first car in the left hand lane was trying to go straight Cambridge and the intersection was blocked with cars that were stuck in the middle of the intersection. The first car finally did a U-turn back into Arlington on the 3rd green light when they still couldn't get onto Mass Ave/Camb. I turned left onto Alewife and drove up to Broadway/Somerville.
When is this foolishness going to stop? It's not enough that the water in Alewife Brook is polluted, now you're increasing the pollution in the air as well.

E-mail all the city councilors! This is the mess that 7 of them created.

The city manager and city council received over 500 letters in the first few weeks of the quick-build. They've done nothing. They received a petition with over 1,200 signatures. They did nothing. Marc McGovern, who wrote the ordinance, said the only thing he will consider is minimal amendments and no changes to the number of miles of bike lanes or deadlines. He doesn't think the traffic on Mass Ave is a problem. He doesn't want the dedicated bus lane to be removed. If you write letters ask for quick-build to be removed and replaced by construction that would keep parking and have better bike lane design. It would take longer but would have a much better result.

A better solution is to keep the quick-build and expand bus lanes usage to include HOVs and EVs.

That wouldn't solve the problem for all the 18-wheelers that are now going into the side streets to avoid the congestion. Star Market alone has 100 18-wheelers a day.

Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with us. We have passed this information along to Cambridge Traffic, Parking & Transportation staff. Additionally Alewife Brook Parkway is state property, managed by Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation & Recreation (DCR). Their contact information is: Community Relations at 617-626-1250 / Mass.parks@mass.gov.

Please note, this system is best used for issues like potholes, broken streetlights, damaged street signs, or other service requests related to routine maintenance. For things related to policies, programs, traffic regulations, or other items that require further examination or planning, contact the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department at tpt@cambridgema.gov

Higher bus lane utilization would reduce congestion.

Bus routes/Commuter Rail/Rapid Transit don't cover the location I was traveling from as is the case for many people in cars.

With due respect, please allow me to differ as I am super frustrated over how this CSO was implemented and post-implementation management. Please keep this open until City addresses this problem. Let me list just two major reasons why (other than the obvious I stated in the original description) and ask others to add to these:

1) You recommended to “contact the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department at tpt@cambridgema.gov” but I have written countless emails to the City officials but my emails are seldom answered. I spoke up countless times at the City Council meetings to voice my concerns. Yes, the CC passed Policy Order to conduct economic impact study and to form an advisory committee yet TP&T and DPW are continuing with the Porter Square Project and MassAve4 Projects respectively without waiting for the results. So, who do I contact to get this issue addressed then?
2) Yes, I know full well that Alewife Brook Parkway is state property, managed by Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation & Recreation (DCR). But the problem is caused by the separated bike lane installation with poor coordination between TP&T and DCR and poor, if at all, impact study as I urged TP&T to do early on during community outreach. Are you suggesting we contact DCR to get Cambridge to restore the traffic flow during rush hour to pre- bike lane conditions? The DCR can’t change traffic pattern on Mass Ave that TP&T installed. But TP&T has responsibility for the lane markings and signal timing (as I was told by TP&T) so TP&T can, should and must address this problem. TP&T DPW should and must take the lessons learned from the Quick-Build that was supposed to have only minor impact and apply them to the projects in progress and future projects.

Bicycles rule the roads in Cambridge.

Get used to it people.

The roads are shared. Get it right, people.

This issue has been outstanding for 61 days. Please provide resolution to this issue ASAP.
TP&T was able to gather traffic counts almost overnight during the community engagement on this project. At least conduct same traffic count and compare the results and come up with remedial steps as warranted.
Thank you

Today, 8/19/2022, at 5 PM, the eastbound traffic on Alewife Brook Parkway was backed up from Mass Ave to Whittmore Ave. Who is responsible for monitoring traffic on Alewife Brook Parkway and mitigate traffic congestion like this one? Is it the State or the City or both?

The City of Cambridge owns Mass Ave within Cambridge's boundaries. I have been dealing with TPT since September and have not been able to get anywhere with them. That's why there are at least three lawsuits against the city right now. No one is listening to the residents. The information sessions are just for TPT to tell us what they are going to do. Feedback is ignored. A group that is working on these problems is https://cambridgeforall.org/

The question was Who is responsible for monitoring traffic on Alewife Brook Parkway and mitigate traffic congestion like this one - DCR or Cambridge. They have to work together to solve this bottleneck.

The answer is Cambridge has full control of the part that is within Cambridge's boundaries. I have already had conversations with DCR. They will not get involved.

This issue has been outstanding for 91 days. Please provide an update on its resolution.
Thank you.

This week has been extremely terrible with traffic. Trying to get the kids to school is a nightmare. Do they plan on making any adjustments to help the residents?

I second Concerned NC Resident's request. And please don't try to close this ticket again by saying: "For things related to policies...contact the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department at tpt@cambridgema.gov." You don't answer our email so we resort to clickfix.

And please also give us an update on the Advisory Group that the city council unanimously agreed we needed to oversee this process and give people a place to bring their grievances. Joe Barr was supposed to set this up by Jan. 31. We know this is a hard job for TPT but think of us, we have to live with this.

TPT PLEASE set up a zoom meeting so the people affected by the N. Mass Ave quick-build can discuss the issues with you and post the date here. Thank you.

This is beyond frustrating the light at Mass Ave and The Parkway has added 20 minutes to my commute it’s ridiculous. Sometimes I’m sitting through five cycles of lights to get through.

This was Clarendon Ave, backed up into Somerville. all these side roads and Mass Ave are completely filled with traffic.

I did some grocery shopping yesterday and the traffic was back up for hours. I live on Brookford Street and traffic is aimed at the Brookford Street and Mass Ave intersection. I cannot even get off my own street because it blocked with traffic. We have a dedicated bus lane at hours when there are are no buses running, traffic is idling for hours in our neighborhood, and then to top it off I almost got hit by a bike running a red light. Cars, buses, and trucks are now using the “bus only” lane as a speedway from Alewife to Cedar street. The MBTA and School buses are included speeding down Mass Ave. The police have been out there at times but the problem is overwhelming for them too.

How about making the bus lane a High-Occupancy Vehicle lane, too.

Nobody will patrol that either, the city doesn’t care AT ALL !!

To be fair, the Police Department is doing what it can, given the situation where separate bike lanes have been installed. i know they have assigned extra patrol in North Cambridge. It is more the fault of TP&T to monitor the impact of separated bike lanes (they were able to conduct traffic survey seemingly overnight when it suited their needs) and come up with mitigation solutions.

What I have asked TP&T very early on was to look into Bus Priority Lane instead of dedicated bus lane. Technology is there. Fire engines and ambulances can be equipped with transponders to change the lights, for example.

It's been 4 months since I reported this issue, and it has not been even acknowledged since I reopened it back in 6/9. Please provide status on this issue and assign it to proper department.

Bus lanes are NOT part of the Cycling Safety Ordinance. These bus lanes were thrown in at the last minute by Joe Barr. The city manager could remove them at any time without going to city council. The city manager could also change the schedule and start building the sidewalk bike lanes like we have on Western Ave now instead of waiting three years. They preserve parking and are safer. Get rid of the quick-build. Quick-builds are done to comply with Marc McGovern's Cycling Safety Ordinance until TPT can build the permanent sidewalk bike lanes. TPT can't expect us to deal with this for three more years. It's not fair for us to be the guinea pigs for a failed experiment.

It makes more sense to send letters to the new city manager pointing out that he has the power to change this mess, than waiting for TPT to do anything. The director is leaving and it is obvious he is going to leave his mess behind for someone else to deal with.

Having spent SIXTEEN minutes to move 4 car lengths, trying to get onto Alewife Brook Parkway eastbound from Mass Ave Arlington, I must agree that this is not just congestion, it is gridlock. (Yes, I gave up. At one car per cycle, it was clear it would take a long, long time for the Mass Ave eastbound to clear.)

All caused by the volume of traffic from ABP (both directions) trying to get into the ONE lane on Mass Ave eastbound in Cambridge. Until you fix this stupid design, either assign police to peak hours, start giving tickets for blocking the intersection, or some other action.
It is irresponsible to knowingly let this happen every morning, 5 days a week.

It is also criminal to knowingly allow this design to continue to cause accidents. We had our ninth car accident a week ago. The year before this design was implemented, we had zero car accidents in the same area. In at least three of the accidents the cars were totaled. What are we waiting for--someone to die?

Let’s see if the new city manager cares more than the old!!

This issue has been open 151 days. Please provide update on this issue

This was heading from Broadway in Somerville to Mass Ave on route 16 where I try to take a left daily. SIX LIGHT CHANGES WHEN I GOT TO WHERE I COULD SEE THE LIGH. 20 MINUTES SOMETIMES THIS IS RIDICULOUS

Would as many people as possible please send the new city manager a link to this ticket. (citymanager@cambridgema.gov). I have already sent many emails regarding the problems on N. Mass Ave. It would be helpful if we all remind him that this is a big problem that is not going away and that we need his help.

Also, please come to the meeting at Graham & Parks School on 11/9 at 6:30. TPT is finally getting around to telling the Raymond Street community why they made Garden Street a one-way. It will give us an opportunity to ask in person when they plan to fix the problems on N. Mass Ave and also show solidarity for the Raymond Street community which now has overflow traffic from drivers avoiding Garden Street. We think the city manager will attend.

As CHTT stated above, the operative word is "TRY". Cars and trucks are frequently stuck in the middle of the intersection of 16 and Mass Ave, holding up all types of commuters and making it dangerous for all, bikers, pedestrians who are trying to cross and have to dodge in between weaving vehicles, cars/trucks and buses who cannot get pass the grid lock. See my comment of 6/8 above. Nothing has improved. Please assist.

This has been open for 181 days with 39 comments, yet it hasn't even ACKNOWLEDGED. Please provide status on this issue.

Last week we were returning to our North Cambridge home via Mass Ave Arlington. We stopped at the signal at Thorndike St and Mass Ave in East Arlington at 8:10 am. It took us until 8:25 to travel approximately .25 mile to Route 16 to get into Cambridge due to the back up caused by the bus lane. We were able to see the non-use of the bus lane for most of the 15 minutes we sat in the traffic. During the time, we saw just one school bus using the bus lane-no MBTA buses used the lane during the entire time. Are they, too, being jammed up in traffic that can't move into Cambridge? The amount of emissions caused by this bus lane that is not getting used is so bad for those of us living in the neighborhood.

The other evening while driving towards Arlington on mass Avenue while waiting at the red light stuck and idling I saw seven bicycles cut over route 16 through the red light, even pedestrians don’t walk through the red light.

The empty bus lane congestion is also causing 18-wheelers to travel into the residential side streets like Gold Star Road to avoid the congestion on Mass Ave. We asked for a "No Trucks" sign but were told there wasn't enough traffic to justify it, even though one truck almost hit a child playing on the sidewalk. In addition to the 9 accidents, Cambridge city employees who commute have seen their commute time doubled. When we mentioned this to Councilor McGovern he said he didn't think the congestion on N. Mass Ave was important. He wanted the bus lane to stay. All this so we can have a dedicated bus lane to run empty buses. There was no requirement for a bus lane in the Cycling Safety Ordinance so what is the excuse for nonaction by TPT and the city?

This issue has been outstanding for 211 days with 43 comments, yet it hasn't even ACKNOWLEDGED. Please provide status on this issue.

Yesterday we had to go to H-Mart in Burlington around 8:30 AM. It took 13 minutes to go from Norris Street to Alewife Brook Parkway, a distance of 0.6 miles which should take 2 minutes without any traffic at 4:45 AM. The right lane of eastbound Alewife Brook Parkway was backed up almost to Whittemore Ave, a distance of 0.3 miles.
While stuck in the traffic at Churchil Ave, I counted more than a dozen cars whizzing by on the dedicated bus lane.
Please CONDUCT TRAFFIC COUNT at this intersection and compare to travel data from both 2016 and 2021(see links to these data under the Second Community Meeting Background pull down menu in https://www.cambridgema.gov/streetsandtransportation/projectsandprograms/massavedudleysttoalewifebrookpkwy). The congestion is in stark contrast to traffic impact analysis (pg. 24) presented by TP&T during this meeting.
At an on-site meeting with Ms. McKenna, Mr. Baxter, and Mr. Reker on 10/18/2021, I was told that TP&T has traffic volume data from 2016 and that once the Mass Ave - Dudley St to ABP project is implemented, TP&T will be able to monitor traffic volume and implement adjustments to mitigate any traffic issues. If I was told they had 2021data I surely would have asked for it.

On December 6th I copied the 41 comments and forwarded them to the Cambridge city Council in case they are not reading this app. Not one commented, and obviously have not looked into this situation.

Kellie and everyone else--A group of people worked very hard to get the traffic board re-established. It is a board appointed by the CM and run by three citizens. With a petition signed by 50 citizens, you can go before the board and get your problem heard. The board has the power to over-ride traffic decisions. Unfortunately, the city manager announced the three appointments last week. All are pro-bike lane people. Over 70 people applied for the positions. He could have at least appointed someone who has been negatively impacted by poor bike lane implementation. There is no one from N. Cambridge or anyone who has a bike lane on their street. Here is info about each appointee. Please write to the CM and tell him this board should have at least one member from a street that has been negatively affected. This is NOT democracy. https://cambridgeforall.org/news-views/additional-findings-about-traffic-board-members

This issue has been opened 241 days but hasn't been even Acknowledged since I opened it. Will this issue be addressed? Please provide status of this issue!
Thank you