After a six-month pilot program, the Wu administration plans to remove a bus lane on Summer Street because data showed it wasn’t working as planned.  Basically, cars were using it more than buses.

So, with the Summer Street Pilot ending  , the data, based on community feedback, is below: In the short term, the bus/truck lane pilot will end, reverting to two general-purpose travel lanes in each direction. The Streets Cabinet will re-engage the South Boston community when MBTA service frequency improves and will conduct another community process at that point.

PROTECTED BIKE LANES (NO CHANGE)
The pilot enhanced existing bike lanes and added bike connections where they were missing to provide an all, ages, and abilities bike connection. The protected bike lanes are here to stay with minimal to no changes to the current configuration.

EXCLUSIVE PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE PHASES (NO CHANGE)
Signal timing prior to the pilot was non-compliant with federal standards (MUTCD and ADA) and federal policies. Changes to lengthen the crossing time and provide additional walk time will remain in effect unless Streets reduces crossing distances through treatments like curb extensions or bus bulbs at bus stops.

NO RIGHT ON RED (NO CHANGE)
As bike and pedestrian volumes increase along Summer Street with new development, safety is imperative.

DEDICATED BUS/ TRUCK LANE (REMOVE AND REEVALUATE AT A LATER DATE)
Remove bus/truck lane and return to general travel lane between Dorchester Avenue and East 1st Street.

ENFORCEMENT OF TRANSIT PRIORITY THROUGHOUT THE CITY
Continue to explore policy mechanisms for automated enforcement and explore posts and rumble strips design options to discourage bus lane violations

 

 

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