Drivers: Expect Heavy Traffic During July 4 Weekend
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is asking that drivers prepare for a weekend notorious for traffic. MassDOT said South End Patch News
Boston Drivers Can Avoid Traffic with New Video Screens
The rush hour bottleneck that occurs at many of the entrances to major arteries and highways out of Boston could become a thing of the past in the near future. The city of Boston transportation department will install six “variable message screens” which will display real-time, GPS-based traffic data during the evening commute beginning this fall, according to the Boston Herald Monday. The screens will show the best route for a driver to get onto a nearby highway – most notably Interstate 93 – along with estimated travel times, the Herald reports. The signs could be placed at the South Boston waterfront area and Government Center garages to start, according to the story, but sites have not yet been determined. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Bus Attack Leads to Call to Better Protect MBTA Drivers
The president of the MBTA operator’s union is calling for increased efforts on part of police, prosecutors and lawmakers in the wake of a 15-person attack on a bus driver in Dorchester Saturday. Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589 John Lee said in a statement published on the union’s website March 10 that such attacks deserve immediate attention by state lawmakers. “The Boston Carmen’s Union ATU Local 589 is relieved and thankful that the Bus Driver, attacked in the early morning hours, was not more seriously injured,” the statement said. “However this assault by a reported mob on an isolated Local 589 member simply doing his job illustrates the need for public safety officials and the legislature to act quickly before a transit worker is killed.” The Boston Globe reported Sunday that there have been 22 reported cases of MBTA drivers who have been assaulted or threatened in 2013 and 18 cases during the same period in 2012. Lee calls for new recognition by lawmakers on House Bill 1508/Senate Bill 718 “An Act to Authorize the Arrest for Assault and Battery on a Public Employee,” which would make it possible for police to arrest a suspect without a warrant should there be sufficient probable cause, according to the language of the bill. The bill was referred to the joint committee on the judiciary Jan. 23 by both the house and senate, though there are no hearings immediately scheduled. “MBTA and RTA workers, male and female, are on the job in the early morning hours and late into the night,” Lee’s post continued. “They are often isolated while working in buses, trolleys and transit stations and are increasing becoming the target of violence. It is well passed time for a crackdown on the thugs that target working women and men on any public transit job.” SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch