Cambridge Public Works assigned this issue to City Hall – DR

We need a traffic survey to establish why Hurlbut Street is being used as a through street. South bound is likely to be to avoid the lights at Linnaean/Mass Ave; North bound is not so obvious. To deal with South bound traffic, there are two possibilities: there could be NO ENTRY signs in Martin and Hudson where they intersect with Hurlbut and Bowdoin; or, there could be NO LEFT TURN signs where Avon, Gray, Bowdoin and Hurlbut intersect with Martin and Hudson. The first alternative would mean any car exiting into Mass Ave would have committed a violation.

My car has been sideswiped twice on Hurlbut in the past two years. The street is far too narrow to safely accommodate two-way traffic. Southbound truck and automobile transit has come to compromise the safety of pedestrian’s lives and resident’s property. The inherent problem is only exacerbated by the effects of rain and snow. Speed bumps on Linnaean won’t do a thing to reduce Hurlbut Street side-swiping occasioned by opposing vehicles attempting to squeeze by or otherwise accommodate one another. Likewise, I fear that elevating the crosswalk on the north end of Hurlbut will only serve to cause speeding or negligent operators to lose control, and make matters worse. One way north, I submit, is the cheapest, quickest and most effective way there is to solve this increasingly dangerous and unacceptable situation

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

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've lived at #39 Hurlbut (one off the corner of Linnaean) since the mid-1990s and cars speeding off Linnaean and into Hurlbut has definitely gotten worse. I almost wonder if the addition of the no parking sign that took away one space on the northbound side toward Linnaean actually made it worse because it makes it easier for cars turning off Linnaean St onto Hurlbut to do it quickly without having to slow down and navigate a narrower lane. Now how narrow the street is isn't perceived until after the turn is made. This street should be a one-way street. I know our Bowdoin Street neighbors won't like it, but their street is much wider and only has parking on one side, making it the better candidate for a through-way than Hurlbut.

Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with us. We have passed this information along to the appropriate staff person for consideration. If you would like to follow-up, you may email tpt@cambridgema.gov; please include the number for this case.

Please note, this system is best used for things 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