The Boston Snow Situation - Transportation, The City, and You

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  • Sgt.MaysSgt.Mays Ontario, CanadaRegistered User regular
    edited February 2015
    Now i can not wait to see the hotel shuttle list, hopefully it is the same and we can rely on that.

    Sgt.Mays on
    Gaymer, Nerd and Fan of Freeman's Mind/Half-life/GTA/Red Vs Blue

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  • djlybsdjlybs Slayer of the Datas Boston MetroRegistered User regular
    Keep in mind...forecasts more than 5 days ahead may as well be scrying using finger bones and animal entrails....they're educated guesses.
    True that, but for us in Boston, it is more about the hope that we don't get another bad snowstorm and some lowering of anxiety/anger levels. Unlike Montreal, Boston does snow plowing and not snow removal. BTW I'm jealous of Montreal's snow removal operation. It would make getting around down here sooo much easier.

    Montreal's snow removal in action via boston.com : http://www.boston.com/news/weather/2015/02/03/montreal-really-good-snow-removal/HLDMzl3ljgIwdCJYBsHmIP/story.html

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  • Sgt.MaysSgt.Mays Ontario, CanadaRegistered User regular
    edited February 2015
    Well good news for people along the C Branch, it is now limited Trolly service and not bus service so moving in the right direction.

    Thought i would post this found this posted by somebody from Boston.

    Sgt.Mays on
    Gaymer, Nerd and Fan of Freeman's Mind/Half-life/GTA/Red Vs Blue

    Attended: East 14, 15 and West 16
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  • LoonyEclipseLoonyEclipse WWHRD? Montreal, QCRegistered User regular
    edited February 2015
    djlybs wrote: »
    Keep in mind...forecasts more than 5 days ahead may as well be scrying using finger bones and animal entrails....they're educated guesses.
    True that, but for us in Boston, it is more about the hope that we don't get another bad snowstorm and some lowering of anxiety/anger levels. Unlike Montreal, Boston does snow plowing and not snow removal. BTW I'm jealous of Montreal's snow removal operation. It would make getting around down here sooo much easier.

    Montreal's snow removal in action via boston.com : http://www.boston.com/news/weather/2015/02/03/montreal-really-good-snow-removal/HLDMzl3ljgIwdCJYBsHmIP/story.html


    Wow, that link was very enlightening for me. I know a LOT of Montrealers (myself included) bitch about the seeming slowness of our snow removal ops, but well...huh. Guess we don't know how good we actually have it.


    To be fair, those no parking signs they mention we put up are AFTER the fact, not before the blizzard is expected (and those off-site parking places are bloody hard to find). Clearance typically takes a week or so, depending on your street. Still, WAY better than just pushing the snow around.

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  • KilonumKilonum [E] Somewhere near BostonRegistered User regular
    For those wondering why the Blue Line is in such good shape compared to the others is because of two major factors:
    1. All of the rolling stock is brand new, oldest trainset currently used was delivered in 2007 (Newest for the other lines is from the same year)
    2. The above-ground section (from Airport to Wonderland) uses an overhead catenary instead of a third rail system (It does use third rail on the underground section). Third rails have a tendency to ice up in winter, and the Blue Line's proximity to the ocean tends to exacerbate this.

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  • grayfawkesgrayfawkes Registered User regular
    Thank god I was lucky and was able to book the Westin. Definitley helps a bit, now I just got to worry about flights...maybe I shouldn't have even menitoned it so I dont jinx it....crap.

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  • kyuubikyuubi leader of the free peoples ware MARegistered User regular
    Ya so I was just over near the BCEC and there is def a lot of snow but they seem to have cleared it well but it is still causing a lot of traffic so if your driving and we get more snow be ready for that.

  • Le_GoatLe_Goat Frechified Goat Person BostonRegistered User regular
    As for that map up there with timetables, I'm going to pretend I did not see that. I'm still going on a "2 more weeks of this crap" mindset, because then I cannot be let down. I'm so fed up with these 2-3 hour commutes, it makes me just want to stay home.
    kyuubi wrote: »
    Ya so I was just over near the BCEC and there is def a lot of snow but they seem to have cleared it well but it is still causing a lot of traffic so if your driving and we get more snow be ready for that.
    Boston has done an amazing job at snow removal. Where a few days ago I was walking by 6' mounds, some of those places now have none. It's been impressive.

    While I agree that being insensitive is an issue, so is being oversensitive.
  • Brew78Brew78 Registered User regular
    I will continue to monitor this thread, as it is relevant to my interests.

    I will say, it IS a good sign that things seem to be improving, and hopefully more service will continue to become available.

    Coming from the north, generally I'd park at Wellington since there's a giant parking lot that's pretty cheap.
    Alewife isn't too far out of the way either, but of course the orange and red lines are among the hardest hit, so.. *shrug*.. wait and see I guess.
    As long as the silver line is still running, I'm sure we'll figure out how to get to South Station.

    Also, if it'll help anyone, here's the MBTA's main overview map (assuming normal operation):
    http://www.mbta.com/uploadedFiles/Documents/Schedules_and_Maps/Subway/frequency-schedule.pdf

  • MaiuMaiu Registered User regular
    cocowoushi wrote: »
    Crud. I was hoping on driving up and parking at Quincy Adams like I usually do. I'm coming from Rhode Island Saturday-Monday. Can anyone recommend any other option? Possible other stations to park at? I don't mind driving in closer to Boston but I don't know how the other station lots are further in.

    Fun fact, on the weekends, you can park for free at the high school across the street from the North Quincy stop. The subway will supposedly be running to North Quincy again starting tomorrow.

  • Le_GoatLe_Goat Frechified Goat Person BostonRegistered User regular
    Maiu wrote: »
    The subway will supposedly be running to North Quincy again starting tomorrow.
    North Quincy is 100 times easier to deal with than JFK, especially for those that will be commuting.

    While I agree that being insensitive is an issue, so is being oversensitive.
  • djlybsdjlybs Slayer of the Datas Boston MetroRegistered User regular
    Le_Goat wrote: »
    As for that map up there with timetables, I'm going to pretend I did not see that. I'm still going on a "2 more weeks of this crap" mindset, because then I cannot be let down. I'm so fed up with these 2-3 hour commutes, it makes me just want to stay home.
    It really depends on how warm this Sunday is. If it is warm enough to melt and not just add to snow's weight, then I would imagine Monday is a good timeline. If it doesn't get out of the 30's, then it will continue to be a shit show

    Le_Goat wrote: »
    Boston has done an amazing job at snow removal. Where a few days ago I was walking by 6' mounds, some of those places now have none. It's been impressive.
    Only took them 3 weeks to start it.... The problem is people around here thought they didn't need to do anything as it would melt within a few weeks and it couldn't get any worse...

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  • bandersneebandersnee Registered User regular
    edited February 2015
    Though a few days old, here is a recent pictorial map of how the T is operating:

    http://wp.streetwise.co/wp-content/uploads//2015/02/Screen-Shot-2015-02-17-at-8.29.19-AM.png

    I've heard that the C line is now back to better operation, but the smiling turd on beyond JFK is still quite accurate.

    bandersnee on
  • DisruptedCapitalistDisruptedCapitalist I swear! Registered User regular
    Oh FUCK. They're talking about another storm on the 25th. I can only hope that with six days to go their forecast will be wrong. I'm so sick of this weather.

    "Simple, real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time." -Mustrum Ridcully in Terry Pratchett's Hogfather p. 142 (HarperPrism 1996)
  • Le_GoatLe_Goat Frechified Goat Person BostonRegistered User regular
    Yeah, the poop totally describes the Braintree line. Even if the image is a few days outdated, it's fantastic.

    While I agree that being insensitive is an issue, so is being oversensitive.
  • Sgt.MaysSgt.Mays Ontario, CanadaRegistered User regular
    edited February 2015
    Oh FUCK. They're talking about another storm on the 25th. I can only hope that with six days to go their forecast will be wrong. I'm so sick of this weather.
    "Sees Michael Scott yelling NO"

    Accuweather only showing 4.4 CM or 1.7 Inches for that day so far.

    Week of PAX will have Above feezing temps so hoprfully that will clear things up by then if any more large amounts fall.

    Sgt.Mays on
    Gaymer, Nerd and Fan of Freeman's Mind/Half-life/GTA/Red Vs Blue

    Attended: East 14, 15 and West 16
    Attending West 2019
  • gigabraingigabrain Some guy...yknow New HampshireRegistered User regular
    Sgt.Mays wrote: »
    Week of PAX will have Above feezing temps so hoprfully that will clear things up by then if any more large amounts fall.

    Above freezing temps is great for it not being freezing. That also means EVERYTHING is going to melt, making streets and sidewalks a slushy mess.

    I'll reiterate the mantra of "bring boots".

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  • ExpandTheWronskianExpandTheWronskian Registered User new member
    We'll be driving down from Montreal via the I-89. Our roads are fine but does anyone know what conditions are/likely to be in Vermont/NH/MA?

  • gigabraingigabrain Some guy...yknow New HampshireRegistered User regular
    We'll be driving down from Montreal via the I-89. Our roads are fine but does anyone know what conditions are/likely to be in Vermont/NH/MA?

    I'm assuming you're going 89S to 93S (which has to be the simplest directions ever). 89 in vermont is fairly well maintained, what with it being Vermont and all. Once you get into NH should be more of the same. As soon as you cross the border into MA, expect the roads to be cleared, but crappy. Potholes, oddly marked lanes, etc.

    I'll be driving up that route this weekend actually to see family, so I'll post again to let you know my observations.

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  • DisruptedCapitalistDisruptedCapitalist I swear! Registered User regular
    Yeah, that's my experience too. It always pisses me off whenever I realize how badly Massachusetts handles snow compared to New Hampshire.

    "Simple, real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time." -Mustrum Ridcully in Terry Pratchett's Hogfather p. 142 (HarperPrism 1996)
  • InfiniteNuLLInfiniteNuLL Registered User regular
    So...seems I'll be relying heavily on the silver line based on the map since my hotel is at Logan. Now to figure out the bus schedule and such. thankfully I won't be by myself (meeting up with some friends) so hopefully they won't be as clueless as I am.

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  • jayh0vajayh0va Registered User regular
    Full disclosure up front: I work for a parking company, but not in Boston.

    I spoke to the manager of a number of locations in the Seaport area and the lots at 390 Congress, 391 Congress, and 145 Seaport Boulevard will have a ton of space after 3pm on Friday. I'm not sure how the prices compare with the area, but I figured I'd pass along the info.

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  • ExpandTheWronskianExpandTheWronskian Registered User new member
    gigabrain wrote: »
    We'll be driving down from Montreal via the I-89. Our roads are fine but does anyone know what conditions are/likely to be in Vermont/NH/MA?

    I'm assuming you're going 89S to 93S (which has to be the simplest directions ever). 89 in vermont is fairly well maintained, what with it being Vermont and all. Once you get into NH should be more of the same. As soon as you cross the border into MA, expect the roads to be cleared, but crappy. Potholes, oddly marked lanes, etc.

    I'll be driving up that route this weekend actually to see family, so I'll post again to let you know my observations.

    Thanks!

  • ArtereisArtereis Registered User regular
    Considering the state of restaurants in walking distance of the convention center in a year with good weather, I think anyone would be well advised to try to get as many meal reservations in advance as they can if transportation to other parts of the city is still limited.

  • revengeancefulrevengeanceful Registered User regular
    I don't think you'll have any problem getting to relatively nearby places for dinner. Walking will still be an option, and the T is running perfectly fine around downtown, it's the outskirts of the city and surrounding towns that are hardest to get to right now.

  • yutani sanyutani san MaineRegistered User regular
    edited February 2015
    Im stressing about this so much, mainly because I have a giant cosplay to carry around, and dont want to be running around trying to find transportation!

    Can a bostonian help me out please?

    I am staying at the midtown. I have done this for years for Pax and AB. Its very simple for me. I Take the Amtrak train from Portland to Boston. I then take the subway. I ALWAYS Take the Green Line "E" Train to Heath Street, and I get off on the Prudential exit and walk a short distance to the hotel. When I come home, I take the Lechmere subway to North Station.

    So... what do I do now?! I dont understand the trolly thing, and with rolling luggage that makes things hard. What do you recommend?

    If Im reading the map correctly, is it saying the only Green Line running is the "D" Train between Kenmore and Lechemere? Would that mean I can take the D train and get off at the Hynes Convention center stop? I think it would be a bit more walking because I THINK that exit is on the other side of the prudential center, but if I can just walk through the mall then its no big deal, at least I will know where I am going.

    I'd like to avoid a taxi because of the monies, but I have really bad anxiety and if I don't know what Im doing and am pressed for time or whatever, I fear I may have some issues :( Fingers crossed things are beter by Pax...

    Thanks for the help anyone who can <3

    yutani san on
  • tvethiopiatvethiopia Salem MARegistered User regular
    edited February 2015
    @yutani san i'm in the boston area and familiar with the T, but i've been kind of avoiding the subway lately so someone else may have better advice. what i can suggest is, if the orange line is in better shape than the green, you could take an orange line train from north station to the mass ave stop, which is actually pretty close to your hotel. closer than hynes is anyway, and about as close as prudential. hopefully they'll have things up running reasonably well by pax and this won't matter though. it's slow, but they're definitely making progress.

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  • millerm277millerm277 Registered User regular
    yutani san wrote: »
    Im stressing about this so much, mainly because I have a giant cosplay to carry around, and dont want to be running around trying to find transportation!

    Can a bostonian help me out please?

    I am staying at the midtown. I have done this for years for Pax and AB. Its very simple for me. I Take the Amtrak train from Portland to Boston. I then take the subway. I ALWAYS Take the Green Line "E" Train to Heath Street, and I get off on the Prudential exit and walk a short distance to the hotel. When I come home, I take the Lechmere subway to North Station.

    So... what do I do now?! I dont understand the trolly thing, and with rolling luggage that makes things hard. What do you recommend?

    If Im reading the map correctly, is it saying the only Green Line running is the "D" Train between Kenmore and Lechemere? Would that mean I can take the D train and get off at the Hynes Convention center stop? I think it would be a bit more walking because I THINK that exit is on the other side of the prudential center, but if I can just walk through the mall then its no big deal, at least I will know where I am going.

    I'd like to avoid a taxi because of the monies, but I have really bad anxiety and if I don't know what Im doing and am pressed for time or whatever, I fear I may have some issues :( Fingers crossed things are beter by Pax...

    Thanks for the help anyone who can <3

    The Green Line C, D, E branches are operating their full lengths, just with reduced frequency (longer times between trains). So you can take your usual route, just expect a longer wait and a more crowded train, especially Friday morning.

    The Orange Line has even less of it's fleet working than the Green Line, so it may be even worse in terms of crowding, but it is an option. It's a 1 block further walk, but it'd usually be a faster ride on the train.

  • Le_GoatLe_Goat Frechified Goat Person BostonRegistered User regular
    edited February 2015
    As @millerm277 said, the E line will be working. Due to the location of the Midtown (I know the exact place because my parents used to stay there when I was in college), you are better off sticking with the E-line and getting off at Prudential. It'll be so much better* than walking to the Mass Ave stop. However, there is also the Silver Line 4 (SL4) bus which is right next to the Mass Ave stop and it runs directly to South Station.

    Another great tool is MBTA's Trip Planner. While it does not provide real-time stats/updates, you can use it to help plan your travels. You put in your origin, destination, and your departure or arrival time, then the tool will search through the schedule database and provide you with multiple options for you to choose from.

    *By better, I mean you get to spend time inside the Prudential and an indoor T station versus waiting outside at Mass Ave.

    Le_Goat on
    While I agree that being insensitive is an issue, so is being oversensitive.
  • SinoSambaSinoSamba CaliforniaRegistered User regular
    Coming from Cali, had to buy waterproof boots with good soles for this Pax. I'm hoping the temperature actually stays low, I don't think I mind snow, but a slushy/icy mess would be bad. At least I got the Seaport, so short walk :)

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  • djlybsdjlybs Slayer of the Datas Boston MetroRegistered User regular
    SinoSamba wrote: »
    Coming from Cali, had to buy waterproof boots with good soles for this Pax. I'm hoping the temperature actually stays low, I don't think I mind snow, but a slushy/icy mess would be bad. At least I got the Seaport, so short walk :)
    According to accuweather.com, there is supposed to be moderating of the temperatures around here (i.e. mid to upper 30's) during the week of pax....so Boston will most likely be a slushy mess.

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  • Sgt.MaysSgt.Mays Ontario, CanadaRegistered User regular
    djlybs wrote: »
    SinoSamba wrote: »
    Coming from Cali, had to buy waterproof boots with good soles for this Pax. I'm hoping the temperature actually stays low, I don't think I mind snow, but a slushy/icy mess would be bad. At least I got the Seaport, so short walk :)
    According to accuweather.com, there is supposed to be moderating of the temperatures around here (i.e. mid to upper 30's) during the week of pax....so Boston will most likely be a slushy mess.

    Used to stuff like that from Southern Ontario.

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    Attended: East 14, 15 and West 16
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  • yutani sanyutani san MaineRegistered User regular
    Thanks for the answers everyone! If its just going to be longer delays, I'll still with what I normally do :)

  • gigabraingigabrain Some guy...yknow New HampshireRegistered User regular
    For any of you, like @ExpandTheWronskian, who might be driving along I-89 and 93S into Boston this weekend, here's how it looked over the last couple days.

    I-89 in VT and NH: As expected, cleared, well maintained. All travel lanes are clear, the shoulders are just about all clear, and there arent HUGE mounds of snow blocking lines of sight at on/off ramps.

    93 in NH: More of the same. Clear, open, few if any potholes. Very nice new rest stops built onto the NH State Liquor stores on either side of the highway before/after (depending on direction of travel) the Hooksett tolls.

    93 in MA: Halfway decently cleared. Some shoulders still snowy (not snowbanks but snow), potholes, crazy Masshole drivers (disclaimer: I am one), etc etc.

    TL;DR: You'll have a good ride down through VT and NH with great scenery and as soon as you hit the MA border you'll wonder why you drove.

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  • Brew78Brew78 Registered User regular
    I live not too far away from the Hooksett tolls, and there's been a ton of work done over the past several months that seems to be nearing completion. It looks like the diner on the northbound side might even be open, but I'm not sure about southbound. The country store is open on both sides, as is the gas station and liquor stores.

  • Le_GoatLe_Goat Frechified Goat Person BostonRegistered User regular
    Sweet baby Jesus in a tuxedo shirt... the Braintree line was normal today! We may all be saved afteralll!

    While I agree that being insensitive is an issue, so is being oversensitive.
  • gigabraingigabrain Some guy...yknow New HampshireRegistered User regular
    Le_Goat wrote: »
    Sweet baby Jesus in a tuxedo shirt... the Braintree line was normal today! We may all be saved afteralll!

    YOU'RE GONNA JINX IT!!!

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  • DisruptedCapitalistDisruptedCapitalist I swear! Registered User regular
    Commuter rail service still sucks goat balls. It really just needs to warm up a little fix the problems. It doesn't haveto be much, I mean seriously, 30+ degrees Fahrenheit are all I'm asking for.

    "Simple, real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time." -Mustrum Ridcully in Terry Pratchett's Hogfather p. 142 (HarperPrism 1996)
  • Lady LilybellLady Lilybell Geeky Crafter & Baker South Shore, MARegistered User regular
    How do the sidewalks look from South Station to BCEC and from South Station to Quincy Market area? There are busy streets in those areas and I'd like to avoid walking in the streets.

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  • Le_GoatLe_Goat Frechified Goat Person BostonRegistered User regular
    edited February 2015
    How do the sidewalks look from South Station to BCEC and from South Station to Quincy Market area? There are busy streets in those areas and I'd like to avoid walking in the streets.
    Before this weekend, they weren't bad. Right now, it's not fair to make an assessment of the sidewalks because it rained/snowed, warmed up to 38 (I wore a light jacket, which is sad that 38 meant "light" anything or even "warmed up to"), but then quickly dropped into the low teens. That being said, there is a ton of ice right now, some of it is black ice which is even more dangerous.

    I'd say check back in on Friday or next Monday.
    Commuter rail service still sucks goat balls.
    *cough*

    Le_Goat on
    While I agree that being insensitive is an issue, so is being oversensitive.
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