Snow Mountain Curbcuts in Newton: Newton's Sidewalks and Safety Nightmares

Residential Sidewalk Snow Shoveling Ordinance Passed!

Newton passed a residential sidewalk snow clearing ordinance! It is a two year trial. Home-owners/residents are requested to clear their abutting public sidewalks and curbcuts free of snow during the winter. Businesses are allowed 24 hours after the snow ends, residents are allowed 30 hours to clear. Lets all continue to work with Newton departments to stop the practice of dumping snow mountains on the curbcuts and crosswalks. Everyone, lets work together so Newton has safe and accessible sidewalks all year long.

New Construction is Unacceptable!

It has rained for over 24 hours. Above photos were taken on February 24th. They show the snow mountains from city plows still blocking the public sidewalk on Wachusett Rd and Hammond Street at intersection of Commonwealth Avenue.This snow has been sitting here since the December storm. The most disturbing elements in these photos are construction flaws of these sidewalks paid for by our public funds from Mass Highway Dept and overseen by the City of Newton Traffic and Engineering Department. Notice the sidewalks end into utility poles and stop midblock on people's lawn. A wheelchair user is unable to use any of these sidewalks, and would have no other choice but to be wheeling along with the trucks and cars in the street. Newton, this is unacceptable!

Friday, February 19, 2010

Newton's Sidewalks and Safety Nightmares

Last year, the City of Newton decided to improve the safety of Wachusett Road and Commonwealth Avenue with a new pedestrian light and new sidewalks. Something has apparently gone very wrong. The sidewalks have been left without edging, leaving a tripping hazard, and most profoundly visible is the sidewalks are completely blocked with mountains of snow. The crosswalks are obstructed rendering it impossible for a wheelchair user to get out of the path of a car or traffic if they are in danger .I took a photo of a young family with their children in the middle of the street given they cannot get onto the sidewalk at this very busy intersection.

The City of Newton (specifically the Department of Public Works) has a responsibility to make sure all public facilities (of which sidwalks and curbcuts fall under) are safe for members of the public including persons with disabilities under ADA Title II. They need to maintain their sidewalks free of obstructions. Any sidewalks built need to be safe. This is simply unacceptable Newton!