Many have predicted problems with the concrete barriers installed on Warren Street to protect people seated in what is typically the parking lane from vehicles moving along the street at 30 mph. Today, at around 3:45 p.m., there was such an incident, which resulted in the car that hit the barrier suffering a blowout. Thanks to Virginia Martin, who was nearby when it happened and took these pictures.
As can be seen in the fifth picture above, the cone that should have been on top of the cement block to warn drivers of its presence was stowed safely inside the barriers. The absence of a front license plate on the car suggests that the driver was an out-of-state visitor to Hudson.
Yes, but maybe they'll stay and spend a little more money waiting for emergency repairs to their car?
ReplyDeleteWhich begs the question — why are those blocks even there? Outdoor tattoos?!
ReplyDeleteIf I remember correctly, that space is used for seating by the Park Theater (across the street) for its Second Saturday concerts. Of course, since each of those cement blocks weighs a ton (literally), they can't be moved out of the way when they are not needed, which is most of the time.
DeleteWe need to run a Demolition Derby on Warren St. Will be good for tourism.
ReplyDeleteSeems to me the thing that protected people and the vehicles were the planters at the end of each block, requiring drivers to stop, enter the block single file, and with a notice to go 5mph. Now you have people entering the block normally and driving at regular speeds with concrete blocks sticking out on both sides of the street.
ReplyDeleteclear observation and true These barriers are a sad mistake Time to remove them totally
DeleteYeah, last year’s version was better, but people complained that it was “shutting down the street.” So this was the compromise to “keep the street open.” Would seem better to just maximize pedestrian and business use on weekends, instead of half-assed solution 24/7. I will say though that a handful of businesses are making good use of them during the weekdays, but only the ones that are both open and have put in the effort, as well as taking care of their planters. Kudos to them
DeleteThat particular side of the 700 block's barriers are useless, I never see them being used for anything so most of the block has concrete barriers for nothing. Waste, and dangerous
DeleteIronically, I believe these barriers were meant to make things safer than last year, and yet, to my recollection there were no accidents last year, and there have been several this year. I think summer outdoor dining, and creating a festive street atmosphere is a great thing, but if we do it again next year, I think the small business community should manage it. One can’t deny that the public spaces maintained by the city are lacking, both in appearance and execution for maximum usage.
DeleteI kid you not -- YESTERDAY, approximately 7 hours before this accident, I sent an email to Gary Purnhagen, the head of this debacle known as summer shared streets (or whatever it is) at 8:35 am asking him the following question: "Why are two metered parking spaces blocked in front of 720 722 Warren, Gary?" If the city is looking for an embarrassing lawsuit, they are headed in the right direction. Bill Huston
ReplyDeleteAnd get this. According to Gary, Stair Galleries, in the 500 block of Warren, was provided 2 metered parking spaces in front of their building for "loading and unloading." The concrete blocks they originally got were removed, but a NO PARKING sign for the two METERED spaces remains 24/7. Gary did not create this debacle of a program, he was handed it. Bill Huston
ReplyDeleteIsnt the state opened back up now?
ReplyDeleteTime to remove them and get back to business as usual.