Author: Joan Liu

SASS comments on the MBTA draft Bus Network Redesign (BNR)

SASS comments on the MBTA draft Bus Network Redesign (BNR)

SASS has submitted a comment on the MBTA draft Bus Network Redesign. If any or all of this letter resonates with you, please also send a comment via email to BetterBusProject@mbta.com or via their website: https://www.mbta.com/projects/bus-network-redesign/update/bus-network-redesign-proposal Comments are due by July 31, 2022. Feel free…

SASS Updates – January 2022

SASS Updates – January 2022

Greetings fellow safe street advocates! The Somerville Alliance for Safe Streets (SASS) turned 1 year old this past December. Thank you for being part of this Alliance as we continue to push for safe, equitable, and beneficial streets for everyone in Somerville. SASS is over 900…

Continue to pressure MassDOT for Safe Streets for People with Disabilities

Continue to pressure MassDOT for Safe Streets for People with Disabilities

We’ve got more work to do to keep making our streets safer for all of our residents.

1. TONIGHT, June 8, 6PM – 8PM: Somerville I-93 Viaduct Presentation. You can find more details and submit written comments here. This will be a three-year construction project, done at night, and without any plans for mitigating the long-term impacts of air and noise pollution.

In your comments, tell MassDOT to prioritize the lives of people over steel, and to build sound walls as a necessary mitigation measure for the long-term air and noise pollution impacts that are linked to higher incidence of asthma and cardiovascular disease in these environmental justice neighborhoods. In last week’s meeting with MassDOT, Wig Zamore, who has been fighting for barriers for decades, estimated that we have had 5,000-10,000 deaths due to the lack of particulate barriers.

MassDOT is trying to get away with just paint and new crosswalks, but we need the sound and anti-pollution barriers for our neighbors as well! They’ve heard us, but they are not committing to anything yet.

2. Wednesday, June 9, 6PM: Attend and/or comment on Somerville’s proposed FY 2022 budget to increase staffing and expertise to enforce the Americans With Disabilities Act. You can read why this is important and sign on to SASS Member and Chair of the Mayor’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities Bonnie Denis’s letter.  Leave a comment or attend Somerville Budget Hearing.

All the best and safe streets for all,
SASS Organizing Committee

Two upcoming MassDOT meetings need your feedback

Two upcoming MassDOT meetings need your feedback

This past Wednesday, we had a great rally with local residents and elected officials that drew over 200 people to demand highway justice for residents living near Mystic Ave and McGrath Highway. The event was covered by many major news outlets, such as this article in…

MassDOT’s Corridor of Death – Demand highway justice for Somerville residents

MassDOT’s Corridor of Death – Demand highway justice for Somerville residents

Secretary Pete Buttigieg is right, and it’s not just in other states — here in Somerville, these decisions are still killing Somerville residents today. MassDOT continues to ignore the needs and safety of the lowest-income neighborhoods, ignoring calls to add anti-particulate barriers along I-93 and…