The photo below represents proper signage, found on Pearl St and elsewhere in Cambrige, but not at the junction of Columbia and Lincoln Streets.

Hi Matt,

Thank you for this thoughtful inquiry. In response to your suggestions:

1) We cannot paint over the patterned surface to make a zebra-style crosswalk. However, we can refresh the 4 transverse lines that border the patterned area. We repainted the chevrons last season.

2) I'll look into adding the yellow diamond signs. This would require moving the signposts which may be difficult given the number of utilities below the sidewalk here.

3) I think a parking restriction on the north side of the intersection is a good idea. We can also look at installing this once we verify utility locations.

I'll provide updates.

Best,
Jon

Thank you for your prompt reply Jon,

Regarding #1, I notice there are two colors of patterned pavers. grey and reddish. The grey ones seem to match where pedestrians would be expected to cross. Replacing the grey ones with asphalt, while leaving the central reddish area intact, would address your inability to paint over patterned pavers. Naturally this is more involved but would, in my opinion, be more effective than merely having transverse bars, which are not an international standard for crosswalks, whereas "zebras" are. Of course this would take time, and may involve a different department than yours. Please let me know whom I should contact if that is the case.

Regarding #2, I've just today driven past a number of crosswalks in Cambridge signposted as I suggest (see photo of Pearl St) and, to my eye, the location of the signposts in these instances seems to match the location of the existing signposts at the junction of Columbia and Lincoln. From what I can tell, therefore, a good start would just involve swapping out the existing and ineffectual "yeld" signs for the more visible yellow crosswalk diamonds. You'd know best what limitations are imposed upon you, but that's just what I see.

True, at some point down the line, additional signs would need to be installed on the opposite side of Columbia from the exissting ones, but that somewhat more involved job might be done at a later date when you've had the opportunity to counduct the necessary survey work, and have the manpower available to install the signpost.

That's just my take

Best

Matt

It's been almost a year now, and I see no change. Please advise what you plan on doing to address the issue, and provide a timeline. Thank you.

This intersection is dangerous for all users - can this be turned into a 3-way stop instead?

Cars have zero visibility coming from Lincoln street.

If that is not possible, could the markings indicating its a cross walk be improved such as diamonds on the roadway before the raised crosswalk? Maybe even spelling "YIELD to PEDs" in paint on the asphalt would help

We have a work order in progress to replace the existing yield signs with diamond signs and to restrict parking within 15' of the crosswalk on the north side of Columbia St.

DPW is the department responsible for raised intersection construction.

This intersection would not meet the warrant for an all-way stop due to the low volume of traffic on Lincoln St and the comparatively higher volume on Columbia St. All-way stops in these conditions are not recommended due to low likelihood of compliance.

Thanks for providing an update and making some changes. Is there a work order to repaint the lines / pavement markings as well?

Sign changes complete. The pavement markings at the intersection are in acceptable condition. However, we may restripe the yellow centerline pending further utility construction on the street.