Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/tag/mbta/page/2/)
Charlie BreitroseAn MBTA 71 bus. By Mark Pickering
I’ve been commuting from Watertown to a variety of jobs and locations for a generation now. I’ve used public transit and several cars. When I worked second shift in Boston, getting off work sometimes as late as 2 a.m. or 3 a.m., I was annoyed that the T was no longer operating. There oughta be a law!
Stops for three MBTA bus lines starting and ending at Watertown Yard have been moved to fit the new street configuration off of Galen Street. The 52, 57, and 504 buses have moved to a different area of the MBTA’s bus yard. The former stop near Nonantum Road has closed, and buses have new pick up and drop off areas. A picture of the old Watertown Yard bus stop exit onto Galen Street. It has been completely blocked off and stops have been moved.
MBTA buses operating in Watertown Square. (Photo by Mark Pickering)
By Mark Pickering
When it comes to MBTA service, residents in numerous Boston neighborhoods and abutting communities would love to say they have the worst. They’d be wrong. Watertown “wins” hands down. A Boston Globe article (“Missed connections at Nubian,” Feb.
The following information was provided by the MBTA:
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) today announced that free service on all modes will be available after 8 PM on December 31 through the end of the service day to help support safe celebrations on New Year’s Eve. Full holiday service schedule information is available at mbta.com/holidays. December 31: Increased New Year’s Eve Service:
· Subway: All subway lines will operate on a Sunday schedule with increased service after 3 PM. · Buses and The RIDE: Buses and The RIDE will operate on a Sunday schedule. · Ferry: Charlestown ferry services will end at 6 PM.
Some of the preliminary sketches for a redesigned Watertown Square prepared by the consultants. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
All day, Wednesday, hundreds of residents gave their opinions about what they want Watertown Square to look like when it is redesigned, and the City of Watertown’s consultants showed some first efforts at ways to improve traffic flow, as well as the pedestrian experience in the area. Urban Designer Jeff Speck showed a packed room several options for ways to change the design of roadways in Watertown Square. Some included roundabouts, some opened the roadway around the Delta to all traffic (not just buses as it is now), and many altered the roadways leading into the Square. By eliminating some of the spokes going into the main intersection would make traffic lights simpler, said Ralph DeNisco, a traffic engineer from VHB.
An MBTA Bus drives through Watertown Yard. (Photo by Mark Pickering)
By Mark Pickering
The city is out to revitalize Watertown Square and has set out a series of meetings aimed at getting feedback from the general public. The overall effort will look at making the square more attractive to walkers, merchants and developers looking to address the housing crisis. The issue of transportation is a key part of the package. Even our urban neighbors note that car traffic has taken over Watertown Square – which could be the worst such intersection in Greater Boston.
City Manager George Proakis, left, and City Council President Mark Sideris spoke during the first annual State of the City on Wednesday night. Behind them is a photo of a juggler at the Faire on the Square. (Courtesy of the City of Watertown)
The State of the City of Watertown is strong and the future is bright, City Manager George Proakis said during the first annual State of the City on Wednesday night, but there are still many challenges to deal with. The event where the City Manager and the City Council President talk about how the City of Watertown is doing is now required to be held annually, following the changes to Watertown’s City Charter adopted in 2021. At the end of his presentation, Proakis included a photo of a performer at the Faire on the Square.
The following information about the MBTA’s 57 bus, which runs out of Watertown Yard and goes down Galen Street toward Newton, Brighton, Allston, and ends up in Kenmore Square, was provided by the City of Watertown:
The City of Boston Transportation Department is working with the MBTA to plan improvements to the Route 57 bus corridor and will hold public engagement events this summer to collect community feedback, before implementing changes in 2023 or 2024. The Route 57 Transit Priority Corridor project will improve the Route 57 corridor in Brighton and Allston to reduce transit delay, enhance safety, and improve accessibility for those who live, work, and travel throughout the corridor. Improvements could include new bus lanes, changes to bus stops, or changes to how traffic operates at intersections.
In the coming weeks, the project team will conduct outreach to raise awareness of the project and share initial design concepts. We will be tabling at community events, bus stops, and other locations leading up to the following two larger events:
August 2, 2023 In-Person Open House
Wednesday, August 2 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Jackson Mann Community Center, 500 Cambridge St, Allston, MA 02134.
At this open house, City of Boston and MBTA staff will be available to answer questions about the project and listen to your feedback.