Titled “Healthy Streets”, the city of Boston is making changes focused on safe streets, connected bike routes, transit, and helping to make small business districts rebound.
The city might be seeing a street makeover soon. Boston is currently in the midst of making some changes to the city in order to support a healthy reopening.
According to Boston.gov, there are three facets to the Healthy Streets initiative;
- SAFETY: Increase safety on Boston’s streets by building protected bike lanes
- RELIABILITY: Making more space to keep essential workers safe at busy bus stops
- ACCESS: Help people travel to and from jobs, businesses, and local restaurants by allowing more space to walk and ride bikes. Not to mention, it’ll help improve mental and physical health. A map of the proposed changes can be found here.
According to Mayor Marty Walsh and the Boston Licensing Board, the process for restaurants to expand to outdoor seating has been streamlined. For restaurants, this process is typically an extensive one, but due to the COVID-19 crisis, it’s been expedited.
In fact, according to a recent article by Eater, more than 270 businesses have begun the process. Outdoor dining could be permitted in sidewalks and car park lanes as well.
The city is currently testing out the initiative and phasing out work over the coming months. The city is welcoming feedback regarding the program here.
