Please see the following construction notice for the Paul Dudley White Bike Path in Boston:
DCR Recreational Advisory: Temporary Closure of the Paul Dudley White Bike Path in Boston
WHAT: Beginning on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 and continuing to Saturday, February 20, 2016, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will be temporarily closing the Paul Dudley White Bike Path along the Boston side of the Charles River, between the Boston University Bridge and the River Street Bridge, to accommodate repairs to the pedestrian bridge.
- Users of the path are asked to utilize the Memorial Drive Path via the Massachusetts Avenue and River Street Bridges as a detour. Detours will be marked and a map detailing the recommended detours is attached.
WHERE: Paul Dudley White Bike Path, Boston, between the Boston University Bridge and the River Street Bridge
WHEN: Wednesday, January 20, 2016 and continuing to Saturday, February 20, 2016
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The detour route recommends using the River Street Bridge to cross over to Cambridge and using the path along Memorial Drive to the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge. You can view a map of the detour route here.
Andrew Bettinelli
Legislative Aide
Office of State Senator William N. Brownsberger
Hi — thanks Andrew. Do you have any further details — or know where I can find them? Specifically I’m concerned if they’re confining the updates to replacing the rotting boards on the underpass, or if it’s more. That bridge is notorious among 4 season bikers as extremely slippery, especially around one of the curves, and I’m wondering if there are any plans to address this (like straightening it out).
Thanks!
DCR has let me know that there will be a full repair including all new decking, beams, and railings. During inspection of the site they found a lot of termite damage and wanted everything replaced but are not doing a design change. Please let me know if there are any further questions.
Andrew Bettinelli
Legislative Aide
Office of State Senator William N. Brownsberger
Hi Andrew – thank you so much for the follow up with DCR. One related question / request then — I saw the decking right before they started, and it looks like the same kind of wood there now. Is there anything they can do to mitigate the slipperiness on the 2 curves (e.g. like grit they sometimes to paving or concrete)? Or can you recommend someone I can contact to request some consideration? I’d like someone to at least ask – I don’t know a biker who hasn’t slipped there when there’s any snow or ice.
Regardless, thanks again.
I commute in from Newton. The Cambridge side is very difficult to bike on. It’s basically a poorly maintained narrow sidewalk with lots of potholes, big jumps from granite to asphalt, and no room to pass when its busy. If there is additional snow, it will be difficult to ride on and in fact, I needed up on Memorial Drive for a mile or so.
I called the State multiple times and actually visited 251 Causeway, and although one person seemed interested in helping, it wasn’t clear to me why the bridge had to be shut down. At least now I know why!
I am hoping the repairs will be completed by mid-March as the sign on the path says. The only way I’ll be able to continue commuting is if there is no snow. It’s a shame because the rest of the path was plowed fairly well.
Thanks for posting this! I took the detour this morning and it was harrowing–it’s snow-covered, unlike the rest of the bike path, which is beautifully clear. Are there plans to clear the detour? It’s basically unbikeable right now. Thanks!
Are there updates on when this work will be completed? It seems like the construction is ongoing.
In addition, the Cambridge side of the bike path, especially between the BU bridge and Mass Ave bridge is in dire need of repair. It is very unsafe and not well lit at all.
It was closed this morning (March 9). I agree with the other posters about the Cambridge side – the path isn’t paved, it’s just marked by a long stretch of broken asphalt. I found a posting somewhere that indicated that the Boston side will be closed through March 10.
I received word from DCR that the repairs are complete and the path should be 100% open as of today, March 15.
What is the schedule for completing construction on the path between the Elliott Brisge and Arsenal st? It has been in shambles for nearly six months. Also where is there information on the decision to cut down trees and. Relate a paved path in the wetland area behind the Charles River Boat house? Thank you in advance for an update.