The streets of Boston are a veritable obstacle course these days. Not only is it time of year for home improvements, it’s also the time of year for road construction.
- Green St. is a mess from NSTARs efforts to put in a new gas main. Jackhammers tearing up asphalt at 7:30am outside my window is not my cup of tea, either.
- The National Grid has been stopping traffic at the trivium of Storrow Drive, Cambridge St., and Exit 18 of the Mass Pike. I would use the term intersection to define this area, but as there about 5 streets and 12 sets of lights, it doesn’t quite seem appropriate.
- Parts of the Mass Pike near 495 are tore up, so that you get the pleasant hum of your tires on the uneven pavement.
- On Broadway, there is more street work, and cones were strategically placed to you can zigzag around workers with jackhammers. It was not unlike taking a Driver’s Ed exam.
- Washington St. near Union Square in Somerville is also under construction.
- Let’s not forget the new park they’re building at the intersection of Mass. Ave. and Main St. That has effectively shut off all driving towards Tosci’s, Cuchi Cuchi, or The Miracle. From what I can tell, it looks as if the right hand turn from Main on to Mass. Ave is permanently covered over by the new park and some park benches.
- The nerd crossing at 77 Mass. Ave. has been paved over, so there is no longer the guidance of a crosswalk. Now MIT students have the choice of waiting for the walking man sign or just making a run for it.
- Mass. Ave. in Harvard Square is torn up, you can’t drive through there at the moment.
- The BU Bridge is torn up–they’re finally fixing the sidewalks. This really needs to happen because those rusty metal things poking out of the curb are dangerous. I have visions of shredding a biker or shredding my tires every time I drive over that bridge. And, according to my friend Kristina, the BU Bridge is the portal to the universe. The portal to the universe should look nice.
- St. Paul Street in Brookline is detouring people
Feel free to add to the list. Along with the gas prices, this might be my impetus to give up the car altogether and start walking.
