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MassDOT reverses course, will leave flex posts on Longfellow -- probably

BOSTON — The plastic bollards that separate the bike lanes from the traffic lanes on the Longfellow Bridge will remain in place through the winter, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation said Tuesday.

The announcement comes after the state faced widespread criticism over the decision to remove them for the winter months.

Highway crews planned to remove the flex posts to make snow clearing easier, allowing the plows to clear snow from the traffic lanes and bike lanes at the same time.

But criticism from cyclists and mixed transportation advocates noted the removal of a barrier in winter months would make it even more dangerous to use the bike lanes.

MassDOT officials now say sidewalk plows will be used to clear the bike lanes and the flex posts will remain in place.

However, the department says the posts will be considered for removal on a "storm-by-storm basis."

"Cyclists should travel with caution following storms, as the road surface may not be dry and some flex posts may have been impacted by snow clearing operations," a release stated.