Special to the Gazette
Officials announced that the sidewalk and concrete apron installation at the upper busway canopy island and adjacent to the landscaped berm along Washington Street west (towards the Arboretum) of Forest Hills Station. Fence installation along the eastern (towards Franklin Park) of the landscaped berm has likewise been completed and the short stretch of cycle track which had been closed next to Forest Hills Station for installation of pavers has been reopened.
Landscape maintenance and construction of the new northern (towards Green Street) headhouse at Forest Hills Station has also continued to advance. Installation of the northern plaza’s water fountain and public bicycle tool set has been completed.
Motorists are reminded that eastbound (towards Franklin) and westbound (towards the Arboretum) left turns off the Arborway at the intersections of South Street/Arborway and Washington Street/Arborway are now permanently prohibited. These movements will now be permanently handled by the eastern and western median U-turns. The only exception to this is the westbound left turn at Arborway/Washington Street which is available to general purpose traffic as directed by the electric sign mounted on the signal controlling the Arborway westbound approach. Drivers of private cars using this left turn when the approach is signed for buses only may be subject to fines and assigned moving violations. Additional warning signage addressing this issue has been installed and is subject to police enforcement. As of the period addressed by this look ahead, enhanced traffic enforcement by the State Police is in place.
Motorists are also reminded that the northbound (towards Green Street) right lane of Washington Street west (towards the Arboretum) of Forest Hills Station is now an active travel lane. Taxis are now operating from their permanent location on the Arborway north of Forest Hills Station. Private vehicles, Lyfts, Ubers, etc. are prohibited from stopping in the active travel lane. This will be subject to traffic enforcement during the three weeks covered by this look ahead and beyond. Regulatory signage to this effect has been placed and will be subject to police enforcement.
Landscape maintenance, replacement of trees which did not survive installation, mowing of grass, installation of landscape elements not installed last fall, etc., will occur as needed and appropriate project wide during the three weeks covered by this look ahead.
During the week of June 17, work will address the following:
• Weather permitting, the concrete around the bicycle roundabout in the northern (towards Green Street) plaza will be engraved.
• Work at the new northern headhouse will focus on installation of automated fare collection (Charlie Card) machinery and finalization/testing of the elevator.
• Upgrades to MBTA duct banks will continue along Washington Street north of the Arborway.
• At Forest Hills Station, the access platform for the station’s new emergency generator will be constructed.
During the week of June 24, work will address the following:
• Work at the new northern headhouse will focus on installation of automated fare collection (Charlie Card) machinery and finalization/testing of the elevator.
• At Forest Hills Station, the access platform for the station’s new emergency generator will be constructed.