A Petition

Regarding the ongoing bridge work on the Charles River Bridges

The Charles River Rowing Community is comprised of thousands of people of all ages who
are avid users and advocates of the river and the paths and parkland that surround it.The
rowing community is eager to have a proactive and positive influence on the exciting and
much needed improvements to the Charles River bridges.While the rowing community
supports the improvements to the Charles River bridges, it is concerned that the aggressive
(and potentially concurrent) nature of the bridgework may have a severe impact on the daily
traffic on the river.Further, the rowing community has concerns regarding the
communication between Mass DOT and the river users about the specific locations of any
barges, obstructions, etc., needed to facilitate the necessary repairs. Existing and planned
projects include the Longfellow, BU, River, Western, Weeks and Anderson Bridges, which
encompass half of the navigable waterway of the Charles.Construction barges and other
equipment pose significant hazard to rowers.Without adequate coordination and
communication, the safety of rowing on the Charles River and the daily operations of dozens
of rowing programs, as well as the existence of several regattas and other special events
may be significantly effected.

We, the undersigned petition the Mass DOT to:

1.Work with representatives from the Charles River rowing community to develop a timely
and efficient communications system to:

·alert rowers and boaters, with adequate notice, to the presence of barges and
equipment in the waterway that may necessitate changes in the traffic pattern to
ensure the safety of Charles River Boaters

·notify the rowing community of project progress and construction schedule,
including long range planning to avoid conflict with annual events and regattas that
take place on the Charles River.

2.Pursue funding for the design and construction of tunnel underpasses, similar to those
that were added to the Eliot Bride, for all upcoming bridge projects where
possible.Underpasses will allow for increased safety for runners, walkers, cyclists and all
park users who will be able to avoid crossing at intersections.Design of these underpasses
should be tunnel style though the bridge structure, in line with land based paths and NOT in
any style that extends onto the watersheet under any bridge arches, creating safety hazards
for boaters.

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