I live nearby and can confirm that this is a constant problem. I have had numerous close calls with my kids. Another component of the problem is that many of the U turns take place during the (short) pedestrian walk phase across Mass Ave.

Thank you for reporting your concern to City of Cambridge via Commonwealth Connect. We have reviewed the information you provided our staff and will be investigating this issue further.

I spoke with a wheelchair traveler this weekend who has had her chair dinged by u-turn cars when she crosses the intersection to use the Century Bank ATM.

There used to be a no U-Turn sign at this intersection. Could that be reinstated with additional text that states there is a legal left turn at the next light. That might help.

Also, with the new bike lanes, I am concerned that bikers may have a false sense of security and not realize that cars make illegal u-turns here.

This location is the only location in the neighborhood where southbound vehicles may make a legal u-turn to access businesses on the north/east side of the roadway. We reviewed crash data from the Cambridge Police Department which indicated that there have been no crashes involving u-turning vehicles during the past three years. The crosswalk phase gives pedestrians a don't walk indication when vehicles would potentially be making the u-turn movement.

Thank you for your report.

In your comment you said: "This location is the only location in the neighborhood where southbound vehicles may make a legal u-turn to access businesses on the north/east side of the roadway." There is a legal left U-turn at the very next intersection and that is the intersection that employees of the bank use. Please keep this open while I speak to our neighbors.

Also, while it is true that pedestrians have a Don't Walk indication while legal u-turns are being made, due to heavy oncoming traffic on Mass Ave, many u-turns are made against the red signal, i.e. during the relatively short Walk phase.

There are several other legal routes to access the bank and other nearby businesses that don't involve making a u-turn across a 4-lane arterial with heavy pedestrian and bike traffic.

People often run this light to make U turns. I have seen some close calls here, it is a really bad place for this. There is a legal u turn spot half a block away. This used to have a no u turn sign but now it doesn't. Please replace it. My kids walk and bike through here all the time and it's scary.

Also, the walk sign at Rice and Mass ave is way too short.

Thank you for reporting your concern to City of Cambridge via Commonwealth Connect. We have reviewed the information you provided our staff and will be investigating this issue further.

Given that there have been no U-turn related crashes, we would not support further access restrictions in this area. We have however increased the all-red time at the signal in order to provide additional clearance time before the crosswalk phase is activated. We will direct our contractor to update the pedestrian clearance time to allow additional time for pedestrians to finish crossing Mass Ave.

Thank you.

OK. Thanks.