Of patches, potholes in South End
Reader Charles Torrey asks GlobeWatch if the city ever intends to do something about two key crosstown roads in the South End that have been in tough shape for a long time.
“Are there plans at some point for the city to repave Harrison Avenue and Albany Street?’’ Torrey said in an e-mail. “These two parallel streets are in terrible condition with deep potholes and uneven surfaces. The significant patching over the years has resulted in a dangerous and damaging roadway.’’
A Globe reporter driving on both streets several times earlier this week found they were indeed in very poor condition, particularly around the busy Boston Medical Center and Boston University Medical School campus area. Buckled or sloppily patched pavement left large hills and valleys in many spots that made for a bumpy ride. The road surfaces were full of large crevasses and thousands of tiny cracks; some sewer grates and metal plates had sunk below street grade, while a few crosswalk markings had largely faded away.
“We have yet to determine our annual program for next year, so I cannot say whether additional segments of these streets might be added,’’ Royer said. He anticipates that the city will receive about $20 million from federal stimulus funds to pay for road work next year. Before streets can get on the annual repair list, utility companies must state that they do not need to dig them up in the near future and the road must meet certain deterioration standards, Royer explained. “People wonder why we do not do entire streets, and it is because of these reasons, plus previous utility work or heavy truck and bus traffic can deteriorate a segment faster in some instances than others.’’
Update: About a year ago, Torrey had asked GlobeWatch to look into erratic lane configurations on Summer Street between Pumphouse Road and Drydock Avenue in South Boston. The Boston Transportation Department had said it would eliminate an unnecessary turning lane on the inbound side and would take a look at misaligned lane markings that confused drivers on the outbound side.
But earlier this week, a Globe reporter found while the extra turning lane was now gone, lane markings were still misaligned. After reviewing the road again this week, James Gillooly, deputy transportation commissioner, said the department will add overhead signs to help motorists stay in the proper lane.
