New Cambridge MA Sidewalk Cuts, Flooding

Using US taxpayer funds Cambridge MA replaced curb cuts with new material which vision impaired persons are able to detect when they approach the curb to cross a street. It is the same material used in subway platforms. In some cases (not all) when it rains water accumulates exactly at the curb cut forcing pedestrians to walk around the new curb cut or go through the puddle. It requires taking the slope of the street at the new cut into consideration in order to avoid creating puddles when it rains. These images were captured at about 6:00 PM on Friday June 8, 2012 just after the Monsoon-like storm that afternoon. 



This curb cut is at Sumner Road and Cambridge Street.



This curb cut is at Sumner Road and Cambridge Street.



Temporary lake created on Kirkland Street between Roberts Road and Line Street.



Temporary lake created at Kirkland Street and Holden Street.



Flooded curb cut at Magnolia Avenue and Roberts Road.



Flooded curb cut at Roberts Road and Kirkland Street.



Flooded curb cut at Roberts Road and Kirkland Street.



Temporary lake created on Kirkland Street between Roberts Road and Line Street.



Temporary lake created on Kirkland Street between Roberts Road and Line Street.



Temporary lake created on Kirkland Street between Roberts Road and Line Street.



Temporary lake created on Kirkland Street between Roberts Road and Line Street.

Dane Street Somerville, MA Commuter Rail Bridge

This is the west side sidewalk of the Dane Street Bridge going from Washington Street to Somerville Avenue Somerville MA. The weeds have taken control of the sidewalk threatening to kidnap pedestrians. These images captured at about 6:00 PM on Friday June 8, 2012 just after the Monsoon passed. 


Looking toward Somerville Avenue.



Looking toward Somerville Avenue.



Looking toward Washington Street.

Damaged Sidewalk Mass Avenue

These images were captured on Wednesday September 29, 2010 at about 4:30 PM. They show damaged sidewalk on west side of Mass Avenue between Waterhouse Street and Chauncey Street. The first image is at about the second parking meter from Waterhouse going toward Chauncey. The second damaged section is where the concrete ends and the bricks begin further toward Chauncey Street.

Blocking Sidewalks

Contractors for Winn Management at 20 Ware Street block sidewalk forcing pedestrians into the street. City contractors upgrading Cambridge high school CRLS closed sidewalk on other side of Broadway between Ware Street and Trowbridge Street. While contractors removed the scaffolding they eliminated any safe place to walk along this stretch of sidewalk.

Harvard Students Resume Blocking Sidewalks

It is September. The class of 2014 of Harvard College begins its first year of blocking city sidewalks. Returning upperclassmen will teach them how to do it well.

Getting Sidewalk Ramps Right Again

City of Manheim in Lancaster County Pennsylvania installed 11 sidewalk ramps which did not comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The city must redo all of the ramps. This is a pattern nationally. One wonders if this is an intentional pattern to make work for construction companies and police details?

Sidewalk Hazard Porter Square

In a heavily used piece of sidewalk near the entrance to the Porter Square Redline and Commuter Rail Station these three patches of sidewalk are broken creating a hazard for pedestrians. This is on East side of Mass Avenue along the low wall near the steps to the doorways for the T station. These images were captured at about 9:00 AM Friday October 2, 2009.

Four Sidewalk Hazards Cambridge MA

Four sidewalk hazards. The first two are from tree roots. The third is from a broken sidewalk. The fourth appears to be concrete falling from a cornice.

Cambridge Cafe Blocks Sidewalk, Bike Lane

These images captured on Tuesday September 8, 2009 at about 5:00 PM shows a delightful European style Cambridge MA cafe taking up most of the sidewalk near Porter Square on Mass Avenue. Pedestrians are limited to one person at a time to pass by this enormous structure on the sidewalk. Two images show foliage hanging into the street blocking part of the bicycle lane forcing cyclists to ride nearer to traffic at this very dangerous intersection. On my way home a young man approached me asking "Did you get your picture?" Later that night a suspected employee of this cafe was at my building residence harassing me because of "business reasons." Are Cambridge restaurants out of control or what? This was a clear violation of the MA Civil Rights statute MGL Ch. 265 Sec. 37, and if he was as suspected working also for the police a First Amendment violation. To discourage more revealing photos a suspected associate of the man made threats saying "You will be hit." Are these members of organized crime making threats or police acting like criminals? But in Cambridge and Massachusetts where laws are optional what does that matter? Cambridge won an award for the most walkable city.

This image looks toward Harvard Square at Porter Square.

This image looks toward North Cambridge from Porter Square.

Mobile Housing Unit, Harvard Square

This mobile unit is parked on the sidewalk each day near Harvard Square, at Mass Avenue and Holyoke Street. Passersby are solicited to help the homeless.