Excellent comment, thank you!

This is a dirt path and very dangerous. Not to mention covered in trash glass, just disgusting. This should be pathed over or a set of stairs. I watched the entire Cambridge high school lacrosse team walk down this path two days ago... this is heavily used, and could not be less maintained or usable...

Absolutely shameful. Neither DCR nor the mall owners care one bit about pedestrian safety.

This is an unfortunate example of pedestrians voluntarily increasing their vulnerability to injury. The path is on state property and it deposits users over a retaining wall into active parking spaces on private property. It's unlikely that either owner would be able to meet ADA requirements for a real pedestrian path even if they wanted to.

"Voluntarily increasing their vulnerability to injury"? That's funny. I thought they were just trying to get to the grocery store.

So when you say that it's unlikely that the owners could meet access requirements, perhaps they should check with the owners who built the ramp and stairs on the north side of the bridge:

https://goo.gl/maps/SRQas4kJ3dH2

Oh wait, that's the same owner. Never mind.

The obvious: Cambridge is bounded by 3 Parkways and the Commuter rail. All disrupt walking, biking, and bus service. Examples on our Western Edge (including neighborhoods of Watertown, Belmont, Arlington, and Cambridge), extend to the want of a crossing of the rail near Faucett Street and near Jefferson Houses on Rindge Avenue, the instant path off the Alewife Bridge, and bus lanes—an example being on the (used as and wider than portions of Concord Avenue) the MASSDOT two lane Access Roads connecting 8-lane Route 2 and the Alewife T. These examples connect, respectively: commuters to the Alewife T, residents to the markets-parks, and commuters from western communities to the Red Line.

Would anyone say that the projected 25-35% increase of commuters by 2040, seeking the RedLine and jobs, can fit on our fixed streets?

Pbbandj, Kdr, Doug, GTS, do you want to share email addresses or a brief blog and join on this issue? arthurstrang@msn.com

The mall should put up a fence to discourage the trespass.

Or maybe install some stairs and a ramp.

I agree. This is decades overdue. Can the city and DCR put pressure on the shopping center owner to address this, and maybe kick in some funds? Or can we pressure DCR to do something? How? It is a huge safety issue.

How about staying on the sidewalk?

Cambridge Dude,
It's interesting that you describe their behavior as "trespass." The MBTA uses the same term every time one of their trains kills a pedestrian who was innocently trying to get somewhere. Maybe not in your world, but in my world people have a right to go about their lives as safely and efficiently as possible. If you think otherwise, maybe you should find another outlet for your civic concerns. Might I suggest standing in the Mall parking lot and lecturing their customers about their chosen walking routes?

The sidewalk is a pretty round about way to get to apple cinema from Alewife. Or get to PetSmart from any of the apartments on Cambridgepark. This is also the Google recommended path to take as a pedestrian.

Those concerned with safety should stay on the sidewalk. What's so hard about that?

If you were one of the many residents of Cambridgepark Drive who make this trip daily like I do, you wouldn't be asking that.

Pbndj,
I entirely support your point of view. Please see my longer comment above. Have you talked with the Alewife TMA, Melissa Zampitella
Executive Director, Alewife TMA?
Arthur

I'm asking the question anyone who may be involved in adding the passageway would ask. Can't you spend another couple of minutes and stay on the sidewalk?

Cambridge dude,
I think the culture is changing and out votes your thinking.
Arthur

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The City Engineer and Community Development Department state that none of the property is owned or controlled by the City. The roadway is owned by MassDCR and connects with the private property of the Fresh Pond Mall. If steps were installed it would be on MassDCR and private property; a matching accessible route would need to be constructed; and a safe pedestrian route through the shopping center parking lot would need to be created. If you wish to engage them, MassDCR Community Relations can be reached at 617-626-4973 or by email at Mass.Parks@state.ma.us. Thank you.