This stretch of Commonwealth Ave is highly problematic and has the unfortunate distinction of being simultaneously a curve, a hill, and high volume vehicles. Drivers tend to speed - and speed excessively. Add to the mix the Carriage Road berm here which, at this point, is very wide, with flowerbeds, so it attracts more pedestrians (and some have even considered it as the site of a future park) and several of these crashes have resulted in cars and trucks driving up onto the berm, knocking over utility poles, etc. In all the cases below, high rate of speed is a major factor. (I’d like to note the crash reports only go back to 2019.) In addition to measures to slow the rate of speed, I propose that the berm - and people potentially runninig or walking along the berm - needs to be protected by means of some type of decorate but protective railing.
Nov. 19 2021 2100000955 highlights from report: highlights from report: Appx 9:35am. …across the street on the Westbound side (note: this is in the Carriage Road berm) (the officer) observed a concrete light post broken at the base and laying in the Gghass (grass) median between Commonwealth Ave and the Carriage Rd. The light pole had an electric wire attached to it that connected at utility pole 102/180. On the grassy area was several pieces of debris from the vehicle causing the damage, including what appeared to be an empty steel liquid storage container, possibly gas…"
My note: This was a hit and run, and neighbors had a cam which showed the truck but as of the time of the investigation, police were unable to make out the signage on the truck. The photo below is mi; the cone was placed over what remained of the utility pole:
Nov.19 2020 2000000558 Comm Ave & Prince… appx 5pm… CommAve. & Prince St. … head on motor vehicle collision with injuries. …The operator of MV#1 … stated she was traveling eastbound on Commonwealth Ave. when she became distracted by the radio, crossed over the double yellow line into the westbound lane … and collided with MV #2. The operator of MV#2 was entrapped in her vehicle…
Sept. 27 2020 2000000664 highlights from report:…traveling East bound …going at a high rate of speed coming into the bend in the roadway. Operator …lost control of the vehicle and swerved into the Westbound lane of traffic striking utility pole COMM 1257. …Both parties were 17 years of age.