To the Editor:

Although the city includes many "neckdowns" in the new proposals for Centre Street, to help pedestrians get across safely, many of them are mini- or even micro-neckdowns. For example, all of the current Hastings Street neckdowns will be greatly reduced, so that they are just barely as wide as the crosswalk!

Parking is not legal within 20 feet of a crosswalk. The current neckdowns are just about exactly the right size to achieve this. The micro-neckdowns would result in cars parking right up against the crosswalks. I hope the city will reconsider this proposal, and design in a more appropriate buffer space.

It is also very disconcerting that although we were previously assured that the fancy, expensive new traffic signals can be programmed to operate in whatever way we as a community decide (in the future), this will not actually be possible, since loop detectors will not be put in the new roadway at the traffic signals. It will not be possible to detect cars waiting at a red light on Centre Street!

For those who missed last night's meeting, the city's proposal can be studied at the library, or online at WalkableWestRoxbury.org.

Get involved!

- Keith Davison
West Roxbury