Share Your Photos of Spring in the South End
With temperatures in the 70s over the last several days, it’s finally starting to feel like springtime here in Boston. Not to mention the cherry blossoms and dogwood trees are in bloom, making the South End a pretty place to snap a photo. Have you taken any springtime photos in the South End you’d like to share? Upload them here to share them with the neighborhood. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
City Testing Silly Putty, ‘Green’ Material to Fill Potholes This Spring
In an effort to “go green,” the city is testing three alternative pothole filling substances this spring: One, a silly-putty substance, two, a vegetable oil-based binder, and three, a 100 percent recyclable substance. “I expect our city to innovate constantly to better serve Bostonians” said Mayor Menino. “Potholes are a major menace to drivers. We are conducting this pilot test because we believe that these innovative solutions may offer longer-lasting, more environmentally friendly solutions than traditional pothole filling materials.” The city started a ramped up effort to target potholes last week. To date, nearly 1,000 potholes have been reported and filled since the campaign’s launch March 13, according to the city. Over the next six months, the city says they will be tracking these various substances to evaluate them for longevity of the fix, easy of use, envionrmental benefits, cost, and other parameters. New SubstancesThe three materials used in Boston this spring are called Hole Patch, Aquaphalt, and UPM. Hole Patch utilizes a silly putty like material in a Kevlar bag that is placed in potholes. Workers place the bag in the pothole to make it temporarily safe for drivers, with the idea that they will return when weather conditions improve to make a permanent repair. The second material, aquaphalt, is a more eco-friendly solution. It contains a vegetable oil based binder, which contains no VOCs (volatile organic compounds), a contributor to air pollution in Boston. Finally, UPM is designed to focus on longevity of the repair, and it’s UPM is 100% recyclable and contains well below all VOC and other Massachusetts regulation limits. Joanne Massaro, commissioner of Public Works in Boston, said the new substance trials show the city takes innovation seriously. “We always seek out ways to improve the services we deliver to Boston’s residents,” she said. “This pilot is a great opportunity to experiment with new solutions to make our roads smoother.” Residents can report potholes using the Citizens Connect app, calling the mayor’s hotline at 617-635-4500, filing a request online, or tweeting to @NotifyBoston with the hashtag #spotholes. Where do you see the biggest potholes in the South End? Tell us in the comments. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
5 Convertibles For Cruising This Spring
After a wild and wet winter, temperatures are slowly starting to rise in the Boston area. You’ve spent months cooped up in the house or swaddled in your hat and scarf waiting for your car to warm up. Wouldn’t it be nice to drop the rag top and enjoy the sun as you drive? Below are five convertibles for sale, selected randomly from area dealerships. All cars in this list are listed for $ 75,000 or less. A little pricey, sure, but if you’re in a position to buy a second vehicle, don’t you want a dream car? 1. 2013 Porsche Boxster S, $ 74,455 This German import comes in “agate,” or dark grey. A new car, it has only 12 miles on the odometer. Under the hood is a six head, 24 valve, 3.4 liter engine and a six-speed manual transmission. Amenities include a Bose sound system. The car’s for sale at Herb Chambers Porsche 2. 2013 Audi S5 3.0T Quattro Premium Plus, $ 71,650 Another German import, this black Quattro has a 3.0 liter engine with supercharger for added power. The convertible comes with a seven-speed manual transmission with auto-shifters, adding to the sporty experience. You can find this car at Audi of Brookline on Route 9. 3. 2013 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, $ 74,805 The reigning, undisputed champion of American sports cars, this black convertible comes with a massive 6.2 liter engine. Aluminum wheels and nav system add to the ride. This car is for sale at Best Chevrolet on Derby Street in Hingham. 4. 2013 Mercedes Benz E350, $ 71,425 Painted “dolomite brown,” this convertible comes with a V6, 3.0 liter engine. It’s the first automatic on our list, with seven speeds. The car combines safety with style, adding curtain head air bags and traction control. You can find it at Flagship Motorcars on Broadway (Route 1) in Lynnfield. 5. 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage, $ 71,500 It’s the only used car on this list, but used is the only way you’ll get an Aston Martin for less than $ 75,000. The 4.3 liter V8 engine comes with a sports shift transmission. Painted midnight blue, it comes with a very British-sounding “red fox” interior. The car is six years old but has only 17,236 miles. You can see it at Aston Martin of New England on Linden Street in Waltham. South End Patch
Categories: Arrests Tags: Convertibles, Cruising, Spring, This
Longfellow Bridge to Be Rebuilt in Spring
The Longfellow Bridge, a historic link between Cambridge and Boston, will undergo a rehabilitation this spring, and the state department of transportation released a video outlining just how this will get done. The bridge will be rebuilt in six phases, shown in this video published by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The video – which MassDOT has set to some nice acoustic guitar strumming – breaks down each phase of the bridge repair in great detail. Overall, the historical features will remain intact, and the structural deficiencies will be updated and brought to modern standards. “In particular, the structural steel elements supporting the bridge deck have deteriorated and require upgrading, and the abutments will have to be modified slightly to allow the sidewalk approaches to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility guidelines,” according to a Feb. 27 MassDOT press release. The Longfellow Bridge runs along Main Street in Cambridge and connects Kendall Square with Boston’s West End. The bridge, which opened in 1906, transports vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles as well as the MBTA Red Line. The Longfellow Bridge rehabilitation is part of Gov. Deval Patrick and MassDOT’s Accelerated Bridge Program, which as of January 1, 2013 the ABP Program has completed 121 bridge projects, with another 48 bridge projects currently in construction. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Categories: Arrests Tags: Bridge, Longfellow, Rebuilt, Spring