Nearly two decades after it was first conceived, the Minuteman Connector Path is finally about to be built. MassDOT has notified Watertown officials that the Highway Department is in the process of certifying the low bidder, and construction should be completed in 2010.
The path is intended to provide a key link in the regional network of multi-use cycling and pedestrian routes. It will eventually join the Minuteman Path, which runs from Bedford to Cambridge, to the Paul Dudley White path that runs along the Charles River between Watertown and Boston.
The MassDOT announcement pertains only to Phase 1 of the project, which will run from the intersection of School and Arsenal Streets along the abandoned rail bed to Arlington Street. We hope the momentum created by the construction of Phase 1 will spur development of Phases 2 and 3, which will extend the path from Arlington Street to Fresh Pond in Cambridge.
80% of the construction cost (approximately $1.5M) is provided by the federal government, and the remainder is from Mass Highway.
Detailed drawings of the Phase 1 design are available here (note these drawings are not final).
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Results from our Bike and Pedestrian Surveys
The WBPC conducted two surveys at Faire on the Square this past September, and we present the results here. Although it was obviously not a scientific survey, nor a very large sample, it is still quite interesting to see how people responded.
Results of the Bicycle Survey
1. How often do you usually ride a bicycle?
Not surprisingly, most of our respondents ride frequently.
2. For which of the following reasons do you usually ride your bike?
The interesting point here is the large number of people who use a bike to commute, proving that cycling is a legitimate means of alternate transportation, and not just a recreational pursuit as it too often perceived to be.
3. Please estimate how many miles of driving you save each week by biking instead of driving
4. Reasons for not biking more often:
5. Please rate your satisfaction level with bicycling accommodations in Watertown (1 to 4, 4 is best)
Results of the Pedestrian Survey
1. Which of the following best describes your opinion of sidewalks in Watertown?
The first question gauged how people feel in general about the condition of sidewalks in Watertown. The overwhelming majority, 81%, chose the middle choice: "Some, but not that many, have poor paving or are overgrown with vegetation." The conclusion is that the condition of sidewalks is not a major concern, but many people are aware of the problem at some level.
2. Which one of the following best describes your opinion of crosswalks in Watertown?
On the question of crosswalks, respondents were once again fairly satisfied with the status quo. 31% responded "no real problem", and 56% chose "There are a few places where I walk where I think there should be a crosswalk." Only 13% saw a need for the Town to make crosswalk improvements a priority.
3. Please check each of the following statements about pedestrian safety that you feel are accurate.
The responses here suggest concern about pedestrian safety, with only 31% saying it's not a problem. Respondents were most concerned with sidewalk conditions.
4. Please check each of the following statements about snow removal that you feel are accurate:
Most people said that they take responsibility for sidewalk clearing, and do not support a snow removal ordinance.
5. How would you rate Watertown's sidewalks, crosswalks, and traffic signals with respect to accessibility to people with physical handicaps?
Results of the Bicycle Survey
1. How often do you usually ride a bicycle?
a. Almost every day 46%
b. Once or twice a week 46%
c. A few times per month 0%
d. Once per month or less 8%
Not surprisingly, most of our respondents ride frequently.
2. For which of the following reasons do you usually ride your bike?
a. To commute to work or school 67%
b. To run errands 25%
c. For fun and recreation 70%
d. For fitness 63%
e. To help the environment 33%
The interesting point here is the large number of people who use a bike to commute, proving that cycling is a legitimate means of alternate transportation, and not just a recreational pursuit as it too often perceived to be.
3. Please estimate how many miles of driving you save each week by biking instead of driving
Some Watertown cyclists are saving upwards of 120 gallons of gas a year by cycling. That's a significant reduction of the carbon footprint.
a. 0 to 5 21%
b. 6 to 10 29%
c. 11 to 25 17%
d. 26 to 50 9%
e. more than 50 24%
4. Reasons for not biking more often:
a. Not enough time 33%
b. My bike needs repairs 5%
c. I don't feel safe riding 21%
my bike on Watertown streets
d. Weather is not suitable 62%
e. I need to carry items 31%
or drop off kids
f. I don't have shower 17%
facilities where I work
5. Please rate your satisfaction level with bicycling accommodations in Watertown (1 to 4, 4 is best)
In response to the question of what Watertown can do to improve conditions for cyclists, many said that more bike lanes were desired.
a. Painted bike lanes 2.4
b. Dedicated bike paths 2.6
c. Bike racks/stands 2.4
Results of the Pedestrian Survey
1. Which of the following best describes your opinion of sidewalks in Watertown?
a. No real problems or difficulties 6%
with sidewalks in Watertown.
b. Some, but not that many, have 81%
poor paving or are overgrown
with vegetation.
c. Too many sidewalks are in 13%
serious need of repair.
The first question gauged how people feel in general about the condition of sidewalks in Watertown. The overwhelming majority, 81%, chose the middle choice: "Some, but not that many, have poor paving or are overgrown with vegetation." The conclusion is that the condition of sidewalks is not a major concern, but many people are aware of the problem at some level.
2. Which one of the following best describes your opinion of crosswalks in Watertown?
a. No real problems or difficulties 31%
with crosswalks in Watertown.
b. There are a few places where I 56%
walk where I think there should
be a crosswalk.
c. The Town really needs to spend 13%
money to study the problem of
where more crosswalks are needed.
On the question of crosswalks, respondents were once again fairly satisfied with the status quo. 31% responded "no real problem", and 56% chose "There are a few places where I walk where I think there should be a crosswalk." Only 13% saw a need for the Town to make crosswalk improvements a priority.
3. Please check each of the following statements about pedestrian safety that you feel are accurate.
a. Overall, pedestrian safety 31%
in Watertown is not a problem.
b. There are some bad intersections 19%
where additional crosswalks are
needed.
c. Thare are some bad intersections 12%
where pedestrian crossing signal
lights are needed.
d. There are many uneven or 44%
deteriorated sidewalks that present
a safety hazard for pedestrians.
e. There are many streets where pedestrians are not adequately protected from the flow of traffic. 0%
The responses here suggest concern about pedestrian safety, with only 31% saying it's not a problem. Respondents were most concerned with sidewalk conditions.
4. Please check each of the following statements about snow removal that you feel are accurate:
a. I take responsibility for clearing 63%
snow from the sidewalk in front of
my residence.
b. The Town does an adequate job of 6%
clearing the sidewalks in
business districts.
c. The Town does an adequate job of 6%
clearing the sidewalks
around schools.
d. I would support a Town ordinance 38%
that required homeowners and
landlords to clear snow from the
sidewalks after a storm.
Most people said that they take responsibility for sidewalk clearing, and do not support a snow removal ordinance.
5. How would you rate Watertown's sidewalks, crosswalks, and traffic signals with respect to accessibility to people with physical handicaps?
a. Very poor 0%
b. Unsatisfactory 19%
c. Adequate 56%
d. Good 6%
e. Excellent 6%
f. No opinion 13%
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