Sky Rose 🏳️‍⚧️ (they/them)

I'm here to talk about transit, safer streets, and other ways to make the Boston area better.

I write software for MBTA (I don't represent them).

Resist

pronouns: they/them

Public Key

npub14yfj9g70ah65z62t0kllhewkkyrc4w2sj9t7dq4q8wz4zr2dzx6svvdz2u

NIP-05 Address

sky_at_better.boston@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqs2jyez5087ma2pd99hm0lmuhttzpu2h9gfz4lxs2srhp23p4x3rdgpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsnekh2u

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relay.nostr.bg

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub14yfj9g70ah65z62t0kllhewkkyrc4w2sj9t7dq4q8wz4zr2dzx6svvdz2u

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Last Notes

2026-01-15 00:00:36 UTC

I made a map of all the public transit in Vermont! It's the map I always wish I had when I plan travel there. My goal is that someone sees this map, learns about a bus near them, and then takes the bus because of it.
Hi-res version at https://codeberg.org/skyqrose/vt-transit-map
#Vermont #PublicTransit #TransitMap #Amtrak #Greyhound #Inkscape
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/896/135/311/220/665/original/f72ed5eeb8a5d9e4.png

2026-01-07 00:13:34 UTC

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Okay, so far I've just been repeating what they say, haven't had a chance to think through things. But my first reaction is that they're very limited by needing to support lots of traffic. Given that, the designs are fine, but I want a smaller intersection, not just a large intersection done better.
I want to know what traffic counts they're designing for. Are they falling into the traffic engineer trap of assuming traffic will grow forever?

2026-01-07 00:11:28 UTC

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That's it for the main presentation. Here's contact info. Submit written comments.
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/913/148/374/314/original/324d0b65ea20cf81.png
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/912/785/437/305/original/c2ede304643b6702.png

2026-01-07 00:10:15 UTC

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Next steps. Everything so far is just concepts. Will be doing more traffic analysis.
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/909/772/036/929/original/d91770ae06e28bdd.png

2026-01-07 00:09:19 UTC

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B3, Diamond interchange with bridge.
Single span, 120 foot span.
Wow this thing is huge, it's basically a highway interchange.
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/904/431/210/598/original/3d25844ba103057c.png

2026-01-07 00:08:10 UTC

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B2, roundabout with a bridge. The bridge is a bit bigger, 2 spans, with a pier in the middle of the roundabout.
Reduced conflicts compared to a signal. More complex geometry and design than the signalized version.
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/898/181/858/136/original/abfeceb7de005a1c.png

2026-01-07 00:05:32 UTC

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Alternative B1, Signalized interchange with overpass.
This looks way smaller than the current bridge but they haven't compared it yet.
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/888/786/689/878/original/cd8bfc03c4545740.png

2026-01-07 00:03:59 UTC

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more A3 PDLT phases
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/883/695/666/743/original/470dc5ac6615750e.png
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/885/787/579/629/original/5add0308b0714a7c.png

2026-01-07 00:02:50 UTC

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A3: PDLT partially displaced left turn. Pros: safety, capacity, at grade is easier to construct.
Cons: Uses space, it's kinda weird.
See images for traffic light phases (it's possible I missed a slide, they're not numbered)
(Sorry I can't provide detailed image descriptions for all of these)
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/860/702/407/916/original/7b29936ec630a879.png
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/868/006/493/300/original/28e1c383fd5399ae.png
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/878/119/935/441/original/dbf0c83fc8a3086c.png
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/881/281/374/771/original/1c261fa6aa57e7e2.png

2026-01-06 23:57:09 UTC

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The following alternatives are advancing. 1 at grade option, 2 grade separated options.
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/858/395/600/649/original/bfee6541985b5e12.png

2026-01-06 23:56:29 UTC

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These options were elimiated due to "design and operational challenges" (i.e. traffic, not enough space to put as many lanes as they want)
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/849/242/301/437/original/791337630bc9b347.png
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/852/293/879/879/original/7a4b918451fc70ba.png
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/854/016/431/364/original/1d42c2589c2fcc86.png

2026-01-06 23:53:42 UTC

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They explored lots of ideas, here's a long list of different configurations they considered.
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/842/192/230/786/original/ab33f01bf3f00d19.png
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/843/819/828/634/original/bc8711bf0089e69a.png
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/845/805/367/621/original/40fddc57a0760d8c.png

2026-01-06 23:52:32 UTC

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https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/839/195/960/417/original/fe878b810cf3c355.png

2026-01-06 23:51:41 UTC

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Some people want the bridge removed. Some are more cautious, worried about traffic. Some propose a smaller bridge as a balance.
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/836/240/411/281/original/e41e71a0de213481.png

2026-01-06 23:50:58 UTC

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They gathered input last year from Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association.
They describe a bunch of ways that the current arrangement sucks and needs to be redone.
Consensus for the future is that safety must be better.
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/826/579/502/354/original/be445972381258c1.png
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/829/072/043/545/original/9b76a9a7583d1091.png
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/831/861/910/187/original/a0b2d367ac94dac6.png

2026-01-06 23:48:00 UTC

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describing the process and stakeholder engagment...
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/814/697/298/360/original/e9c28b322ac3ffc6.png
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/814/539/223/374/original/c0121b114f309f9b.png
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/817/235/284/314/original/17d05f832157a9dc.png
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/822/506/402/553/original/3f2d3f77394634be.png

2026-01-06 23:45:25 UTC

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They're also rebuilding the bridge over the grand junction railroad. Whether they rebuild the overpass or not.
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/809/185/112/307/original/e00d93ac7fa9cc85.png
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/811/388/645/418/original/ba110cf51e896b8a.png

2026-01-06 23:44:07 UTC

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The rotary was originally designed when there was less traffic. Design is outdated, no longer best practice design.
The bridge is in poor condition.
4/?
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/804/154/926/156/original/be91709588649fc5.png
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/805/745/486/787/original/c9d6fdb26becbb22.png

2026-01-06 23:42:23 UTC

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They investigated removing the overpass. "This led to significant operational challenges" (meaning, it'd slow down cars) so they're exploring rebuilding the bridge.
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/797/028/209/108/original/4f83c68cf911bb39.png

2026-01-06 23:40:41 UTC

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Project overview, There are two options: remove or replace the overpass.
2/?
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/787/202/326/873/original/af2c83b4e870a69f.png
https://files.better.boston/media_attachments/files/115/850/792/024/754/869/original/23a8de4553772784.png

2026-01-06 23:37:07 UTC

I'll be livetooting at the #MassDOT meeting about the #MemorialDrive overpass
https://www.mass.gov/event/cambridge-bridge-replacement-memorial-drive-over-brookline-street-01-06-2026
1/?
#Massachusetts #SafeStreets #BUBridge #MassDCR #CambridgeMA

2025-10-15 00:19:57 UTC

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There are a few buses. Depending on where in the area you are, one might be less walking and faster than the train.
- 70 or 71 from Watertown to the RL
- 57 to the GL
- 501 or 504 express buses from Newton Corner to downtown. More expensive than a standard fare but you can pay the normal way (charliecard or contactless) and it's probably the fastest.
Check out the bus system map: https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2025-08/2025-08-25-system-map.pdf
And MBTA's trip planner (better than Google's): https://www.mbta.com/trip-planner