Because of the record breaking snow that’s fallen on Boston this year, and the impending 10 to 14 inches expected to arrive Saturday night, Mayor Marty Walsh is turning some South Boston roads into one-way streets. At 10 p.m., the South Boston Emergency Transportation Reconfiguration (ETR) will go into effect.
It will last until April 1.
The ETR works like this: even numbered streets will be one-way west-bound and odd numbered streets will be one-way east-bound. Main arterials will continue allowing for traffic in both directions while streets that are currently one-way streets will continue as such.
Mayor Walsh is also instituting a citywide snow emergency and parking ban at 10 p.m. The City will begin ticketing and towing at midnight.
Saturday night through Sunday is supposed to be the time of heaviest snowfall with the most hazardous conditions.
“Boston has seen unprecedented levels of snow over the past few weeks, totaling nearly 80 inches, and more is expected,” Mayor Walsh said in a statement. “Boston’s Public Works Department has been working around the clock to remove snow from the neighborhoods, however this emergency reconfiguration will help assure the safety of residents and drivers, and improve access to roadways for public safety officials.”
The snowbanks in Southie have become so mountainous that not only is it dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians by creating blind spots, but they’ve narrowed the roads so much that they’re bottlenecking traffic.
To help reinforce the change, Boston Police will pin up “Do Not Enter” signs and erect barricades at 7 a.m. prior to the 10 p.m. ETR. Come 8 a.m., City of Boston employees will take to the streets to help spread the message of the directional change and engage directly with residents.
According to the City, BPD will have an increased presence in South Boston to help with adoption of the emergency program.
“As the Police Commissioner and a lifelong resident of South Boston, I support the Mayor in implementing this temporary traffic reconfiguration,” Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said. “Public safety is my first priority and this plan will assist my department in delivering effective services.”
In anticipation of the blizzard, the MBTA has already canceled Sunday service.
