Back Bay's intersection at Berkley and Boylston Streets.Photo: Jay Willett/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A change has been made to a set of traffic lights in Boston's Back Bay that some say has made it less safe for pedestrians.
The city recently reduced the time pedestrians can legally cross Berkeley Street at Boylston and gives more time for cars to pass through.
Meg Mainzer-Cohen is president of the Back Bay Association. She said her organization is very concerned about pedestrian safety in the Back Bay. "The city of Boston installed a 60-second vehicle-only cycle and gives a mere 17 seconds to pedestrians," she said. "Any defense of this kind of situation is outrageous."
Transportation Department officials said the move actually makes it safer for pedestrians by keeping cars from turning into those on foot during the 'Walk' sign.
But Mainzer-Cohen said giving pedestrians less time to cross only means more pedestrians than ever aren't waiting for traffic to stop and even more are jaywalking. "We know there are more than 16,000 pedestrians going through there a day."
WBZ NewsRadio's Jay Willett (@JayWillettWBZ) reports.
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