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Pedestrians push for safety in South End

E-mail|Link|Comments () April 28, 2010 02:11 PM

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Members of the Coalition of Fed Up Pedestrians tour the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Albany street with city transportation officials. (Hand out)

By Meghan E. Irons, Globe Staff

A coalition of pedestrians is demanding safer conditions at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Albany Street in the South End, a well-known trouble spot that has long been the source of traffic complaints from students and residents.

Members of the Coalition of Fed Up Pedestrians released a survey earlier this week of hundreds who frequently use the intersection. Of the 325 people who responded to the poll conducted last month, 149 said they did not feel safe there, 145 reported having near misses with vehicles -- and 11 reported being hit by a car.

The coalition is urging the city's Transportation Department to provide better signage and to step up traffic enforcement.

They also want the city to create a protected left turn signal from Albany onto Mass. Ave. so that pedestrians can wait until cars have turned. Presently pedestrians are allowed to walk as cars make the left turn, putting both into the same traffic pattern at the same time.

"That's the dangerous part,'' said Anindita Dasgupta, a coalition leader.

On Monday, members of the group -- dressed in bubblewrap and helmets to drive home their safety concerns -- walked with transportation officials through the area.

The busy intersection is surrounded by Boston Medical Center, Boston University's schools of dentistry, medicine, and public health as well as the administrative offices of Brigham and Women's Hospital.

The 100-member coalition was established earlier this year includes students, representatives from nonprofits as well as faculty and staff who use the new Crosstown Building on Mass. Ave.