Transportation

Virtual Meeting June 24: Arborway Parkway Improvement Project

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Improving safety and accessibility are the main goal's of the state's Arborway Parkway Improvements Project, and a virtual public meeting will be held on June 24 to provide an update on the project. During and after the meeting the public will be able to issue concerns on an interactive online mapping tool. 

During the meeting the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will present slides introducing the project team, provide an overview of the design process, and info on submitting public comments. The chat function will enable viewers to ask questions during and after the presentation. The public can also note specific concerns on an interactive online mapping tool at hsh.mysocialpinpoint.com/arborway

Historically speaking, the Arborway is a nationally registered historic parkway originally designed by the famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. The parkway runs from Circuit Drive at Forest Hills to Eliot Street by Jamaica Pond, where it merges into the Jamaica Way, and is part of Boston’s larger Emerald Necklace park system.  DCR controls the Arborway, which includes the Murray and Kelley Circles, the Arborway and Upper Arborway next to the Arnold Arboretum, and the eight-lane section between the two rotaries which retains Olmsted’s original parkway layout.

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Transportation

DCR Completes Arborway Road Safety Audit

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A road safety audit of the Arborway was recently completed by the state's Department of Conservation and Recreation to improve safety for all users -- pedestrians, autos and bicyclists. The audit was conducted on the parkway from South Street to Eliot Street in Jamaica Plain, according to a DCR press release. The audit evaluated existing safety issues of speed, pedestrian and bicycle access and ADA accommodations, lighting, pavement marking, signage and more. The report is available online by clicking here. The report also identifies potential short-term and long-term safety improvements.

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Transportation

Traffic Advisory: Arborway, Jamaicaway, and Riverway on June 4-7

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Traffic will be going slower on the Arborway, Jamaicaway and Riverway from Tuesday through Friday this week during the week due to tree maintenance. 

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will be conducting rolling lane closures going both directions from 9 am to 3 pm. Traffic changes will be marked, and a police detail will be on site, according to a press release from DCR.

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Police and Fire

Brookline Man Charged with Hit-and-Run Accident of Cyclist on Arborway

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A Brookline man was arraigned on Wednesday for allegedly colliding with a bicyclist in a hit-and-run accident in an Arborway rotary in August. Massachusetts State Police released dashcam footage of the accident in August, asking for the public's assistance to locate the motorist. Jonathan Costa, 27, was charged in the West Roxbury Municipal Court with negligent operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of a collision causing injury, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's office. Prosecutors had sought $500 cash bail for Costa and Judge Debra Shopteese released him on personal recognizance. His next scheduled court date is Nov.

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Environment

Letter to the Editor: Thank You to Volunteers for Cleaning Up Arborway Hillside

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Thank you to all who helped with the Arborway Hillside Volunteer Woodland Care Day on July 14. We had a great turnout and cleared a large amount of invasive plants from the path and trees (two truckloads!). We met new neighbors and volunteers from JP and beyond, distributed Arborway Coalition reusable bags and enjoyed "BYO Bag" cupcakes! Special thanks to:

Arnold Arboretum & Sue Pfeiffer;
Emerald Necklace Conservancy,  Ellen Arnstein & Richard Stroshane;
Our Arborway Hillside steering committee, who handled logistics and outreach: Ann & Jim Stillman, Clay Harper, Sue Pfeiffer
Celeste Walker for help with outreach
Everyone who helped: many hands truly made light work. The Arborway Hillside is across the main Arborway from the Arnold Arboretum, between the main parkway and the residential road, with entrances to a footpath across from St.

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Photo of the Day

Arborway Parking, Circa 1939

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Automobiles line the Arborway in front of the Arnold Arboretum. Circa 1939. Courtesy of Boston Public Library, Jamaica Plain branch. At first glance it might seem these historical autos are caught in some demonic traffic time warp. But this 1939 photo isn't of a backup along the Arborway.

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Transportation

Casey Project Hits Demolition Milestone

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So long, Casey Overpass @universalhub @02130News pic.twitter.com/5Md8fwAPv1
— Clay Harper (@ArborwayMatters) April 30, 2015

On Thursday, removal of the abutments on the Arborway side of the Casey Overpass began, as documented by JP transportation enthusiast Clay Harper. State officials have said removal of the overpass itself would begin in May. Residents might differ on whether this marks the official end of the Casey Overpass, since traffic continues to be allowed across, though there have been temporary closures recently. But no matter how you look at it, giant jackhammers gnawing away at structures integral to the bridge has to mean something. Jamaica Plain News has established a count-down clock, which we run to the right on desktops or below this story on mobile devices.

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Transportation

Proposal: Make Murray Circle Into Two Roundabouts

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Proposal for changes to Murray Circle. Credit: Toole Design Group
A historic overhaul of the Arborway could be in the works, with the aim of improving pedestrian and bike safety. This week the Department of Conservation and Recreation held two public meetings at the Arboretum where a design firm put out a "starter idea" that's sure to get Jamaica Plain talking: Take the big rotary where Centre meets the Arborway and turn it into two roundabouts. That's just one of the big ideas floated this week. Resident Clay Harper attended both meetings and published an informative summary at his "Arborway Matters" blog.

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Photo of the Day

Forever Autumn

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A newly-painted utility box at the Arborway rotary on Centre Street. Taken November 2014 by Bob Goodman. Bob Goodman noticed this freshly-painted utility box on the Arborway rotary on Centre Street. Thanks for sharing this, Bob! Each weekday we post an image from around the neighborhood.

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Crash on Arborway, Monday, Oct. 13, 2014
Police and Fire

Car Flips in Arborway Crash

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UPDATE: Despite how serious the wreck looked, no one was hospitalized. ~~~~~

A wreck on the Arborway Monday drew a response from multiple fire trucks and ambulances, according to a resident who witnessed the aftermath. Although a car flipped over, no one was taken the hospital as a result of the crash, according to State Trooper Reid Bagley. The wreck took place just after 3:30 p.m. and closed the roadway for about an hour. The incident took place between Murray Circle and the Casey Overpass, across from 246 Arborway.

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