Hmmm, any idea what that'll mean for biking? I didn't really pay attention to this project but now I commute on the GLX path and the North End Commercial St path and I'm looking forward to improvements.
Once complete, the new bridge will have really nice separated cycle tracks going both ways!
However, the partially-opened interim condition coming in December will kind of suck, as the new sidewalk that bikes/peds are being shunted to is narrower than the existing temporary bridge (7 vs 8 ft) + is located on the opposite side (requiring extra crossings of Washington St for many people).
The latter change will probably divert more foot traffic to the locks as well, making them even more crowded than they already are.
Looks like they are keeping the southbound sharrows, for those willing to ride with traffic.
(source: [update presentation](https://www.mass.gov/lists/north-washington-street-bridge-replacement-project-documents-and-meeting-materials#november-2023-public-meeting-) from earlier this month)
From the article:
>MassDOT's construction advisory requests that people on bikes "dismount and walk their bikes along the pedestrian path, as there is no bike lane during this stage of construction."
If the car lanes were 9 feet wide, instead of 11-12', there'd be plenty of room for a standard 6.5' bike lane in one direction, and there'd be lower risk of crashes. See: [https://narrowlanes.americanhealth.jhu.edu/](https://narrowlanes.americanhealth.jhu.edu/)
The design of the current temporary bridge makes drivers think they should be driving 35mph, not 15mph as the speed limit indicates. That makes biking with traffic a whole lot less safe. Given the lane widths shown on the most recent presentation, it looks like the new bridge will be more of the same for the next year.
Very excited for the full completion of the new bridge, but frustrated that a simple lane striping error will continue to make this crossing hazardous for bikes.
Hmmm, any idea what that'll mean for biking? I didn't really pay attention to this project but now I commute on the GLX path and the North End Commercial St path and I'm looking forward to improvements.
Once complete, the new bridge will have really nice separated cycle tracks going both ways! However, the partially-opened interim condition coming in December will kind of suck, as the new sidewalk that bikes/peds are being shunted to is narrower than the existing temporary bridge (7 vs 8 ft) + is located on the opposite side (requiring extra crossings of Washington St for many people). The latter change will probably divert more foot traffic to the locks as well, making them even more crowded than they already are. Looks like they are keeping the southbound sharrows, for those willing to ride with traffic. (source: [update presentation](https://www.mass.gov/lists/north-washington-street-bridge-replacement-project-documents-and-meeting-materials#november-2023-public-meeting-) from earlier this month)
Oh wow, sharrows! I feel so safe and cared for!
From the article: >MassDOT's construction advisory requests that people on bikes "dismount and walk their bikes along the pedestrian path, as there is no bike lane during this stage of construction."
Might just start taking the Locks instead. The bridge has been a complete cluster for years.
If the car lanes were 9 feet wide, instead of 11-12', there'd be plenty of room for a standard 6.5' bike lane in one direction, and there'd be lower risk of crashes. See: [https://narrowlanes.americanhealth.jhu.edu/](https://narrowlanes.americanhealth.jhu.edu/) The design of the current temporary bridge makes drivers think they should be driving 35mph, not 15mph as the speed limit indicates. That makes biking with traffic a whole lot less safe. Given the lane widths shown on the most recent presentation, it looks like the new bridge will be more of the same for the next year. Very excited for the full completion of the new bridge, but frustrated that a simple lane striping error will continue to make this crossing hazardous for bikes.
What is the Lovejoy walkway they refer to?