Reversing 'curse' sign could reverse Sox' luck
The ancient "Reverse Curve" sign on the Longfellow Bridge, which sits above the outbound lanes of Storrow Drive, has served two purposes of late. One is to remind drivers of the harrowing S-curve that lies ahead. But the sign's other (some would say main) purpose came years ago when an alleged Red Sox fan and skilled climber used white spray paint to change the sign to read "Reverse the Curse," morphing the warning into a now historic piece of Red Sox voodoo against the lingering effects of the sale of Babe Ruth to the Yankees.
We're not certain when this illegal act took place, though this column ran a picture of the sign last year. We are told the sign has been a fixture on Storrow Drive for several years, with the graffiti returning every time the sign is repainted.
But like most things, the "Reverse the Curse" sign, which can be bought for $10.99 in the form of a poster, is no more.
The Department of Conservation and Recreation, which manages Storrow Drive, reversed the curse yet again last week, painting over the graffiti and morphing the sign back to its original confusing intent.
The recent change has stirred quiet debate, though we received only one e-mail about it from Aaron of Watertown, whom we asked to write about what the tagged sign meant to him.
"I originally come from Dallas where, let's face it, there is not real city culture beyond the Cowboys," he wrote. "I love Boston because it is a real city with a real identity. Part of it is Storrow Drive -- a beautiful and easy way to get into and out of the city.
"As a newcomer, a few years ago I wondered what the `Reverse the Curse' sign meant. The first person I asked set me straight. When driving home from the airport, the sign was a reminder that I'm back home in Boston from wherever and not just in another generic city.
"Last April, I was one of many who barely held back throwing a brick at the television during the American League Championship Series. I remember waking up the next morning with that same brick in my stomach. Now the `Reverse the Curse' sign is more than a welcome home sign. It is therapy for a new generation of fans.
"I understand the need for clean and clear signs. But that sign was left there for years so it has proven not to be a problem. I hate when things become sanitized and I hope the sign comes back."
We took the debate to the folks at the Conservation and Recreation Department, who issued a very empathetic reply and placed the future of the sign in your -- yes your -- hands. The caveat is none of the department's choices involves leaving the "curse" sign alone.
"The sign in question on the Longfellow Bridge was installed prior to the introduction of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), the Bible for signs. Today's standard would have a yellow diamond-shaped sign with a pictograph.
"Being lifelong Red Sox fans, we at DCR appreciate `Reverse the Curse' artistry. But isn't it part of the curse now, since it didn't work? Any baseball player will tell you that if a superstition-based action doesn't get you the results you're looking for, you try a different one -- that's why their hair gets long, then short, then beards, then not. . ."
And then, the Conservation and Recreation Department put the issue to you: "In light of the sensitive nature of this problem we are considering the following options:
1. Keep the current sign and continue to correct the sign each time it is altered.
2. Remove the old sign because it hasn't broken the curse yet and may in fact be contributing to its continuance. Install a new sign of the MUTCD type (yellow diamond with pictograph).
3. Remove the old sign, find the legacy [Metropolitan District Commission] employees who installed it and have them present it to the Red Sox as a means of breaking the curse."
We've been told by the department's folks that you get to decide. Write to us at the address below and we'll tabulate the results. Please label the subject of your e-mails: CURSE.
Wrong message
About a week ago, the overhead electronic message boards encircling Boston on Interstate 95 and Route 128 displayed a bad message: "Passing on left only -- $100 fine." Untrue, wrote readers.
"First of all, the law . . . permits passing on the right on a multi-laned highway that is divided by a barrier or median," wrote Ralph of North Andover, who is correct. "The other issue is that of timing. The thousands of cars on Route 128 slow down to read any message, causing even more delays than normal and wasting more gas. Running this message at rush hour is poor judgment." Other readers were more succinct. "What is this about?" wrote Jim of Braintree, who saw the signs south of the city and also knows the law.
Officials at the Massachusetts Highway Department readily admitted this week that the signs were wrong. "Your reader is correct -- passing on the right is permitted on a multiple-lane divided highway," wrote Jon Carlisle, Highway Department spokesman. "The State Police asked us to post the message to convey the fact that the left lane or lanes is primarily for drivers who want to pass a motorist in front of them -- not for regular travel."
To clarify any confusion, Carlisle said, "we've coordinated with law enforcement officials, and the message now reads `Slower Traffic Keep Right.' "
Marathon Monday
We're feeling lethargic and out of shape. It must be Boston Marathon time. And like Rosie Ruiz, the T wants to take you to the finish line without a lot of fuss or sweat or, um, running.
Blue, Orange, Red and Green Line service will operate on their regular weekday schedule, with extra service before and after the marathon.
Commuter rail will operate on its regular weekday schedule.
Buses and trackless trolleys will operate on a Saturday schedule. Buses scheduled to cross the marathon route will be rerouted at certain times. See the T's website (www.mbta.com) for extensive details.
Commuter boat and Inner Harbor ferry service will operate on a regular weekday schedule. The RIDE will operate on a modified weekday schedule.
Copley Station will be closed all day. Marathoners and others can access the Green Line at Hynes or Arlington.
A customer-service van will be parked in front of Arlington Street station (corner of Arlington and Boylston) to sell tokens between 10:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
The parking lot at Newton's Woodland Station on the Green Line's D branch will be closed from noon to 4 p.m. because of the race. Green Line service won't be affected by the closure.
Pit stops
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's "Stop Elimination" program on the Green Line's B branch begins Tuesday for a trial period of six to eight months. Four stops will be bypassed: Greycliff Road, Mt. Hood Road, Summit Avenue, and Fordham Road. . . . The old light poles on Washington Street, which made the recent Silver Line renovations look halfhearted, were removed last week. T officials said the project's contractor could not remove the poles for nearly two years because they are the property of
Can't get there. . .
The Sumner Tunnel onramp to I-93 north will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 11:30 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday. 
The Haymarket onramp to I-93 north will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 11:30 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday.
The MassPike eastbound between Exit 22 (Prudential Center/Copley Square) and South Boston will be closed from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday through Friday. Direct access to the Ted Williams Tunnel from I-93 north, Frontage Road, and South Boston will remain open.
I-93 south over the Charles River will be closed from 12:01 to 5 a.m. Tuesday and from 1 to 6 a.m. Saturday. The onramps to I-93 south from Storrow Drive, the Tobin Bridge, and City Square will be closed at the same time.
I-93 north over the Charles River will be closed from 12:01 to 5 a.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 1 to 6 a.m. Saturday.
The Atlantic Avenue onramp to I-93 north will be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 11 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday.
The Leverett Circle connector bridge from Storrow Drive to the Tobin Bridge will be closed from 1 to 5 a.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 2 to 6 a.m. Saturday. The Leverett Circle Connector from Storrow Drive to I-93 north will remain open.
Complain to us at starts@globe.com. Don't forget to send us your hometown. Outside the paper, the column can be found at www.boston.com/news/local /startsandstops/. Our mailing address is Starts & Stops, P.O. Box 55819, Boston, MA 02205-5819.
