Mr. Eric Berger and others opposing the Mass. Ave. plan seemed to have difficulty respecting the 3 minute time limit during the public comments section of the hearing. For goodness sake, the Gettysburg Address was delivered in 2 minutes. The writer of the article correctly reflects that a strong majority of the attendees and speakers at the meeting support. the plan.

I'm all for beautification. But if traffic after the storm, when travel was restricted to about 1 1/2 lanes in each direction, is any indicator, we're in for a nightmare traffic situation. When someone comes out with an implausible statistic, like the 26 second change in travel time, my first instinct is to say "Lets see your numbers".

What were the assumptions that were put into that statistic. How does the model work. I don't accept "experts" opinions without question.

Did you know that 36.8% of all statistics are made up?

Maria Romano demanded more than the 3 minutes alloted to everyone else! Why is SHE so important?

I was not able to attend the hearing last night because of my work schedule. (By the way, I think that a LOT of people who oppose this project are folks who work long hours and don't want any further delays in their commute, who are not as available to attend these hearings as the folks who never have to leave Arlington are.) However, I have been following the project plans and have attended previous hearings.

The one glaring oversight in the computer model for westbound traffic flow with one lane is the buses. The rarely actually pull out of the travel lane when picking up or dropping off passengers. The current westbound configuration allows room to pass the buses, but this will not be possible when it is reduced to one lane. The computer model does not recognize this, because the buses are supposed to pull over completely. The model is only based on an ideal, not the reality. I mentioned this at a previous hearing, and the only reply that I received from the State Highway Dept. was that the buses "would have ample room to pull over." They already have ample room, they just don't use it!

A major decision like this should be based on ACTUAL OBSERVATIONS of the traffic on Mass. Ave, not an idealized model made by a computer.

Looks like a done deal to me. I don't know about this one...
Not only will a main corridor be restricted. This will put a lot pressure on alternative routes early as well as late. What is the purpose of this project again?
Commerce right... Is this some kind of a walking biking plan? Certainly not gonna get folks to drive to this area. Unless they want a pizza or something. Tough enough trying to stop in at the dinner now. Or go for a coffee or a movie. This not a mall, you need a specific draw for this kind of deal to work
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I remember the well intentioned plans for Union Sq Somerville. Now a driving Disaster, Awful for merchants who tried to invest there and a pedestrians nightmare. Has been for a long time since the great alteration.
If this is the plan I hope they include parking and a plan that would attract relevant business. Otherwise looks like a ton of traffic issues, idling cars & buses, biking issues.
I think this is more blackboard magic. Good luck with that.

Oh please. I work long hours and support the project and didn't go to the hearing. My husband works long hours doesn't support it, and did go to the hearing - but left because he thought it was too crowded. People against it will continue to have conspiracy theories for the duration. By the way - the recent storm is not an indicator of what the traffic will be like. Those backups were residual - affected by the backups stretching in every direction - especially Cambridge and Somerville. It was a historic storm. Somerville took over a week to clear. Broadway was even worse than Mass. Ave. that week. It's not indicative of the future at all (unless we continue to get more infrequent, but more powerful storms).

I'll just be happy for them to finally put marked lanes (broken white lines) on whatever 3 or 4 lane solution they come up with; it will be nice if this is done with community improvement (trees, sidewalks) and bike lanes too.

If you all just take a minute and think of what you are supporting (for those of you who are). I was at the meeting last night and am a business owner on Mass Ave as well as a property owner.
I do not believe in 3 lanes, like the person towards the end stated it will be like Pleasant St a parking lot. You know people travel on Mass Ave and it is a main corridor in each direction, it is not a green park where you would take your family on a Sunday sceniec bike ride, it is simply a main corridor to get you from point a to point b not a stroll in the park, if you want a stroll in the park go down Boston at Common Park. Consider what the business owners are going to have to sacrifice: business income which they depend on it to feed their families, pay bills, colleges, etc just like everyone else, the mess, dirty (dust, rodents, which could come to your homes as well once they start digging), lies (you know town officials will tell you otherwise), major headaches for completion, it will be just like "the survivor" at this economy these small businesses can not afford this.
The business owners are opposed to 3 lanes not the bicycles, it will be a nightmare.
Then I am always surprised how the owner of Capital Theater agrees to this, there is no parking for his customers how can he ( know he has to agree with the selectmen because of the favors they do for each other) Where are the parking lots for these cars to park? Not enough parking spaces and they are getting rid of more.

Well, out of the business owners that showed up to the meeting, 3 were for the project, only 1 against. The project doesn't eliminate parking spaces (falsely claimed by the opposition), in actuality, more spaces are being created. Whether the project happens or not, there are still no parking lots, so that's irrelevant. Your comment about how the road is a corridor to get from point A to point B is exactly why some business owners support the project. The goal is to stop people from just whizzing by - they want them to stop and stroll in the east and be point A or B, not the common. Your points seem contradictory. You don't say if your business is in East Arlington or not, so I don't know if you feel you will be personally impacted. I live there, and stroll around to the different businesses and restaurants frequently, I'd like it to be more user friendly. Also - it won't be like Pleasant St. - there are still two lanes going East, and there will be turning lanes for left turns. Part of the problem with Pleasant is that no one can go around anyone going left. The other problem is that Pleasant/Mass. Ave/Rt. 60 is a major intersection. It gets backed up at the rush hours just like any major intersection.

I am an E. Arlington resident and have not attended any meetings though I am in support of the project. Everyone knows driving and crossing Mass Ave right now is very dangerous except at designated street lights because of the lack of lines, so I won't belabor that point. The Lake street light and the light at Hardy School seem to be badly timed such that traffic backs up on Lake down to Route 2. This makes drivers madly aggressive by the time they get to Mass Ave and adds to what is perceived as "Mass Ave congestion". The project should evaluate making the light at Lake longer and perhaps less frequent, to allow more cars to get through at each green. Since the plan contains left hand turn lanes at every (?) road, it really is effectively 4 lanes when necessary. Why do cars need to pass each other in a densely populated residential area? Its most important that the traffic simply keep moving at a decent speed in an orderly fashion. And I'm really excited about the enhanced sidewalks, broader corners, little sitting areas, and so on for pedestrians! My little residential street next to Mass Ave provides most of the parking spots for the Capitol Cinema around the corner, making my own driveway much less accessible and difficult in the snow. While that's a pain, I still love the area.

God, I can't wait to see this whole cluster-f built out; the finger-pointing will be more entertaining than reality TV.

One woman who spoke about having a brush with a car while crossing Mass Ave wore a calf length BLACK coat. The two pedestrian deaths 15-16 years ago were at dusk, after sunset. Could it be that the road isn't the biggest problem? I think a much more cost effective solution is to educate pedestrians on how to cross a road and to make themselves visible.

My CAT has been crossing Mass Ave for 12+ years. She looks both was and waits for traffic. People have told me she has had some close calls like speakers at the hearing, but not actually hit. She is grey and white with a reflective collar, so not in all black. I wear a reflective orange coat in poor visibility conditions, like winter. Just a small amount of self preservation is needed by people, not a $6M road downsizing project.

A couple weeks ago there were two pedestrian accidents in Arlington. Like most, the pedestrian was at fault. One was drunk and jaywalking, the other was a kid who ran out into the street. Neither had serious injuries.

So it's about little sitting areas? I get it. People sit around on Mass Ave all the time. I understand now. How much do need? We have tons of money for little sitting areas.
When will you guys be sitting there?

They don't call Mass Ave from Cambridge to Concord the "Battle Road" for nothing. As well as a state Highway 2A

Mr. Kaepplein, I would think with all of you apparent knowledge, you would get your EACCC group together and teach them how to properly oppose a project like this. The display was embarrassing on Tuesday night and probably detrimental to the cause. i too am not in favor of the 3 lane plan, but that may have been the nail in the coffin.

While the great majority of people oppose the lane loss, those in favor tend to be younger, liberal, heavy users of email, Yahoo, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and other electronic media, bicycle, and work in high tech - many in Cambridge.

So, I most welcome ideas on how to reach and motivate people who are largely not those demographics, are too busy to want to waste more time in traffic let alone politics, and have the experience of both knowing what a disaster these types of projects are and how elected and appointed public servants do not serve the greatest public interest. We see how few vote in local elections as showing how most residents are too busy to care about local politics or resigned to not having their voice or vote affect what happens, unless it backs what officials want. The majority of town meeting members also don't vote according to what most residents want. The clearest example is how many TMMs (including Selectmen on TM) voted down article 3 of the special town meeting to reverse the leaf blower ban, while residents voted overwhelmingly to kill the ban.

Those with common sense need to run for Town Meeting, though that's the usual reason for not! A majority could then also restore honesty, fairness, and fiscal responsibility. Some seats are vacant. Start a write-in campaign. The same TM that banned leaf blowers could ban water bottles next.

I'm not an Arlington resident, but use Mass Ave each morning from the Arlington Center to ABP, and on into Cambridge. I'm not so worried about traffic on the afternoon commute, I'm more concerned about the morning commute from Lake Street to ABP. the major issue that should be continually hammered is the lack of signalized crossings along this stretch.

Unfortunately the project was never about safety, it was about bike lanes and landscaping enhancements. Its an elective cosmetic surgery procedure - a face lift for Capitol Square for current and future apartment building owners, with the greedy, ambitious, expanding, and too cozy with the town planning department, Housing Corporation of Arlington among them.

Safety was already much improved on Mass Ave with very visible crosswalks, now in need of refresh. If Selectmen thought it was a problem, they would have painted lanes decades ago. The plan calls for money going into widening sidewalks and replacing good sidewalks with new concrete instead of installing pedestrian crossing signals. The fire chief opposes more raised median - he has the wisdom to know resulting congestion will often require driving down the wrong side of the street to respond to emergencies in time despite rigged simulation, Opticon signals or not.

News alert: Reconstruction of the Longfellow bridge to last nearly 4 years and begin this summer, just shortly before reconstruction of the Government Center T station is to start in the fall. Thought the snow was bad? How about 2+ years of construction on Mass Ave? Since the Greenway bike path took 3 years, I'm expecting longer on Mass Ave also.

The proposed plan with three lanes will bring order to the chaos that is traffic on Mass Ave. I warn any visiting relatives to drive that stretch as if they are in a snowy parking lot on the last weekend shopping day before a major holiday. I am looking forward to safer pedestrian crossings, better bike access for shopping in the area and safer vehicle travel.

2- 3 laners, you do realize that this is not Arlington Ave. Right? This is not some back country bridle lane. It is a serious busy commerce corridor.
If you want urban living with wide shouldered neighbor friendly sidewalks, work harder, save your cake, then sell your property. If you rent even bettahh...
Maybe start a business and invest in a Commonwealth Ave Back bay Brownstone. Lot's of benches, trees bushes, rod iron fences, nice... You don't even need a car. Save a bunch right there.
Loved that area.
They have the best of both worlds for you. Your just wasting your time with townies. It's already been done for you. Right at the end of Massachusetts Ave / Rt 2A

And bricks Lot's of bricks. :"err" cobblestone.

I still get a kick out of these wanna be politicains ... Kenny Donnelly my lord what in gods name does he know about politics ? ZERO ladies and Gentlemen I am not sure what he knows. A former band aid pusher for the town of Lexington. GREELEY the guy can't even pay his own taxes and we are trusting him with our hard earned money.? DO AS I SAY NOT AS I DO ..... Eddie Munster Byrne doesn't even live in Arlington . The Joke is on you Arlington you voted for a selectmen who doesn't even live in Town... I cant wait to see this mess get completed..

I just want to point out that Mass Ave in Cambridge between Memorial Drive and Central Square used to be 4 lanes with parking on both sides. A few years ago it was reconstructed with wider sidewalks, bike lanes, and for the most part 3 lanes with parking on both sides (there are a few short 4 lane sections with parking on one side). It is much safer for everyone and traffic flows just fine.

Those who have pointed out that left turning cars on a 4 lane cross-section cause issues are absolutely correct. It is much safer and better for traffic flow to have a single lane in each direction along with left turn pockets or a dual left turn lane in the middle. When you have four lanes, a left turning car blocks its lane, causing traffic behind it to attempt to change lanes to get around it. The left turning car also has to negotiate crossing two lanes of traffic in the other direction, which can be very challenging since vehicles in the opposite left lane often block the view of other cars in the opposite right lane.

This study found a 29% reduction in crashes on average with a 3 lane configuration as opposed to a 4 lane one:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/10053/index.cfm

Have you seen the nice new Bike Crossing flashing signs for the bike path across Mill Street? Great addition.

Why hasn't Arlington implemented such signage at the crosswalks on mass ave? Drive down Mass ave in E Arl and all you will find is the faded white zebra markings on the ground. No signage. No flashing warning lights. At night there is no proper lighting aimed at the cross walks. Even the traffic cones that used to be be there reminding drivers in small font that its the law to stop for pedestrians in the cross walk is the law are now gone and it isn't a snow issue.

I'm all for pedestrian safety. I live in East Arlington and find crossing to be dodgy. Seriously, why signage and better lighting could not have been put in place long ago amazes me. Or on demand pedestrian signal lights (which are still not part of the plan). Seems safety is not really the priority but rather a hostage of the planning.

The most fundamental problem is the RT2 - Alewife Brook Parkway joke of an intersection. Its a disaster if your coming down from RT2 and need to go left onto ABP. So everyone finds short cuts through our neighborhood of E. Arlington. They also like to use our area as free alternative to parking at Alewife station. And the same on the reverse. Why didn't they expand the bridge over the bike path to enable the ABP turn lane onto RT2 with out a signal. That would have drawn the traffic away from E. Arlington.

If anyone wants to learn what ACTUALLY improves safety on a road, search on pedestrian at www.cmfclearinghouse.org A Crash Modification Factor is the number you multiply by the accidents/year you have now to predict how many you will have after. A High Intensity crosswalk signal where there was none reduces pedestrian accidents by 69%, or a CMF of 0.31! It reduces all types of accidents by 29%. Narrowing roads doesn't even make the list for effectiveness. Raised median cuts pedestrian accidents in half.

The state site on how to improve safety is here: http://www.mhd.state.ma.us/safetytoolbox/

It should not be news that it was only posturing at the hearing by most reciting the pedestrian safety script at the hearing. The above links show how to actually improve safety.

@Banks Snodgrass - read all your posts.. you don't live in Arlington and you offer nothing... The best way I can describe you is Dr Smith from "Lost in Space".

With all the budget issues why is this being considered now or at all?

Greeley is bragging that it took FIVE years of input? That's impressive. And troubling. Hopefully it will take them another 10 to actually make this happen. Oh, and, the Bully Pulpit voice-slamming to force everyone to agree this is a good thing? Not working.

If we hadn't just decided to sell and move OUT of increasingly noisy/annoying Arlington in the coming year -- before this project makes Highland Ave even more of a diesel truck route past our house at all hours than it is now -- THIS ill-conceived project would have pushed us over the edge anyway. And it only took them FIVE years to be this stupid. Wow. Impressive.

Full disclosure: I am an East Arlington home owner who opposes this project as-is.

That being said, I am all for public debate and discourse. I was looking forward to hearing both sides.

I understand there is a 3 minute limit (note: cut out the interruptions, and he would have had plenty of time). But in a town meeting, when discussing an issue that means a lot to the residents and obviously is important to the future of this town, to have members purposefully drown out an opposing viewpoint by applauding so they can't be heard?

Embarrassing. Those members should be ashamed - time limit or not, its not their place to "drown out" a point of view they don't agree with.

I propose a meeting with the town decision makers with only East Arlington residents, so at least they can be heard - both supporters and opponents.

How about that woman latched on to the Mphone...
That's what your dealing with. Not even thinking debate. 3 minutes, thanks. While the proponets have media & town peeps in the bag. What a shame, it was never like this.