Bricks a burden to sidewalk traffic
Marc Larocque
Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: News
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After that incident, which caused two slipped discs in her lower back, she started using a more stable scooter.
Several months later, however, Brewster toppled again because of a missing brick on Washington Street. She was left with one disc protruding from her flesh and remains in a body cast.
For some, brick sidewalks and cobblestone, evoke a historical aesthetic. For wheelchair users, parents with baby strollers and women in spiked heels, the red rectangles can be tantamount to disaster.
In response, the state Department of Public Safety's Architectural Access Board (AAB) has fined the City of Boston $500 a day since Nov. 30, 2005, for the uneven stretch of brick on Huntington Avenue. As of press time, the total fines surpassed $330,000. The city is disputing the fines because they say the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Massachusetts Highway Department oversaw the construction, said a spokesperson for the Mayor's office.
"Mayor Menino takes complaints about accessibility very seriously and Public Works has made these complaints a top priority," said Dennis Royer, chief of Boston Public Works and Transportation. "The construction of the Huntington Avenue sidewalk was under ownership of Mass Highway and the MBTA. Now, those two agencies will work together with the City of Boston to make the sidewalk accessible."
Advocates for the disabled say the bricks that make up the "Avenue of the Arts" make the path one of the worst in the city.
John Kelly, organizer for the Neighborhood Access Group, along with Brewster, invited City Council members to meet at Symphony Hall to see for themselves.
"This is inadequate," said City Councilor At-Large Stephen Murphy, motioning toward a curb cut on the corner of Huntington and Massachusetts avenues closest to Symphony Hall. "I know with frost heaves, it will make the bricks move a lot more than concrete. It's just fiscally irresponsible," said Murphy, who is also chair of the Public Safety Committee.
City Councilor Mike Ross left Kelly and Brewster with a promise: to work for a wide concrete lane of travel with the ornate brick remaining on the periphery.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Larz Neilson
posted 10/22/07 @ 8:48 AM EST
Why can't the city just fix the sidewalk -- now? Figure out the blame later. Some officials apparently don't realize the moral obligation they are under to correct this problem. (Continued…)
John Mc
posted 10/22/07 @ 1:18 PM EST
Sidewalks are a moral obligation? The city sidewalks have been a disaster for the last 50 years. Why is anyone acting surprised over this? Never mind that if you actually walk around the city, you'll notice concrete has the same problems as brick, and has cracks and heaves and potholes just as brick sidewalks do. (Continued…)
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