Road safety: Boston city councilors say new problems have arisen amid pandemic

BOSTON — Two Boston City Council members are asking for a city council hearing on road safety to fix problems that have arisen during the pandemic.

“Although there are fewer cars, the cars are kind of zooming down making it really unsafe for pedestrians,” Councilwoman Michelle Wu said.

Just last week a cyclist was killed on Massachusetts Avenue in the South End.

Both Wu and Councilwoman Liz Breadon called for the hearing. They want to create safer roads and safer public transportation. Wu says some of those options include expanding sidewalks, closing certain streets and enforcing speed limits.

“Pedestrians who are on the sidewalk are finding it difficult to practice that social distancing because they’re getting crowded as the weather is getting nicer and nicer,” Wu said. “It’s going to be a different situation in every part of the city so the conversation is about putting all tools on the table and then figuring out what works."

Wu also wants to extend safety measures already in place on the T to after the city reopens. She says the big problem right now is overcrowding on buses in low-income communities.

“We should maintain the system now where fares are not being conducted on the bus system. People are going through the rear to avoid over-crowding and on those routes where it is more crowded. We need to see frequency of the service increase,” Wu said.

Wu says the point is to not only fix the issues happening right now but to plan ahead for life after quarantine. She’d like the hearing to be held within the next two years.

Download the free Boston 25 News app for up-to-the-minute push alerts

>> Complete local and national coronavirus coverage here

RESOURCES:

- Massachusetts Coronavirus Information

- Boston Coronavirus Information

- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Watch Boston 25 NOW

- Download our free apps for your phone and smart TV