August 3, 2001

The following questions were submitted through Hotline for the Partners Town Meeting held at the MGH June 6. John Driscoll and Joseph Crowley, of MGH Police, Security, Parking and Outside Services, provided the responses below.

Q: How will the Central Artery Project affect parking in the Nashua Street lots?

A: Central Artery Project administrators are trying to accelerate the completion of the current work in two separate areas in the Orange Lot on Nashua Street. They hope to close down one work area and return 60 spaces to the hospital by Jan. 1, 2002. The second work area will not be closed until the end of 2002, at which time the hospital should gain back another 70 spaces. The other lots on Nashua Street are the Red and Brown lots, which are west of Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. They are leased from the Metropolitan District Commission. The hospital has been informed that sometime this summer or early fall, these lots will be permanently closed to transform the land into a riverfront park. By this fall, the MGH will have lost a total of 500 employee parking spaces along Nashua Street, but will continue to explore all avenues to augment the ever-decreasing parking resources close to the main campus. Employees who drive to work are encouraged to re-evaluate their transportation options. For more information, contact the Commuter Services Office at (617) 724-2819.

Q: When will stop signs be put at the exits of the MGH garages? Most cars exiting never stop and look to see if pedestrians are crossing in front of them.

A: Pedestrian crossing signs have been ordered for all garage exit lanes. A pedestrian crosswalk was installed last year in front of the Parkman Street Garage exit. A crosswalk will be installed in front of the Fruit Street Garage exit as well.