The Globe took an interesting angle on their coverage of the most recent design for the BU bridge:

"BU bridge plans could spur road rage"

Subtitle: "Some fear closing lane will choke traffic"

Really?  Hold on.  When I bike to campus I use the BU Bridge to cross the Charles, often during the morning or evening rush hour.  How often is traffic backed up just to get on the bridge?  Almost all the time, especially from Comm Ave.  And how many times have I had to contest with slow moving, bumper to bumper traffic on the bridge?  Zero.  Zero times.  Even with two lanes closed for construction, traffic absolutely flies over that thing.  Which is really what makes it frightening experience from a cyclist's perspective -- you're taking up a lane with fast moving trucks bearing down on your rear wheel.

And they're worried about the threat of road rage if they don't designate even more bridge lanes to motorists than they do during construction?  As DCR commish Sullivan says, "It's really the entrance points that are the constraining points that are keeping traffic from flowing." If it's auto commute time you're worried about, fix those and your cars and trucks will move just fine.  In the meantime, it would be nice if you gave the rest of us a little room to breathe.

In November 1968, little baby Evangeline nearly died in a house fire. Forty years later, she was able to thank the fireman who saved her.

This story is especially touching when one considers the political climate and racial tension weighing the city down at that time.

Enjoy...

(Boston Globe) Meeting the man who saved her life
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid6936117001/bclid1214007415/bctid11812033001

SPPA is hosting a Student-Only Community Meeting and your presence is requested.

CONVERSATION & FREE FOOD...

Join us on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 from 12-1:30 PM in Anderson Hall, Room 211 (in the Quant classroom).

LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED.

The meeting will be similar to the Community Meeting held last semester, minus the faculty/staff. Our goal is to generate feedback/suggestions about the program based on our experiences thus far - things done well and possible areas for improvement.

Group feedback will then be shared by the SPPA Student-Faculty liaisons at the next monthly staff meeting.

PLEASE EMAIL JACQUI HOLMES WITH TOPIC SUGGESTIONS BY FEBRUARY 16, 2009 (JACQUELINE.HOLMES@TUFTS.EDU).

This meeting is brought to you by the UEP Student Policy & Planning Association. SPPA recognizes that this time may be difficult to work into your busy schedules. All who are unable to attend are encouraged to email Jacqui Holmes with feedback prior to the meeting.

Please also note that SPPA will be sure to rotate the times of meetings throughout the semester in an effort to accommodate those who work during the day.

Do not hesitate in contacting us if you have any other questions.

See you on the 18th!

~SPPA

There is some news regarding the long, slow process to extend the Green Line through Somerville.  The state has recommended that the extension go beyond the Tufts campus to the Mystic River (right; image borrowed from the Boston Globe), complying with what InsideMedford.com calls "extensive public support".

I know that some UEPers have been following this much, much more closely than I have.  It would be good to hear their takes.  What is the state's word worth here?  Are we within a couple decades of this finally happening or what?