The scoop on parking

Your questions answered

Southie residents have had some questions about parking around town so we went straight to the horses mouth.  Tom Tinlin, Southie Resident and City of Boston Transportation Commissioner, answered some of the questions that have been keeping you up at night when it comes to parking. 

 

What's the deal with parking in front of the post office on East Third Street?

In the past, BTD and BPD have enforced parking in this area when public safety has been compromised, and we will continue to do so as necessary.  With that being said, at the request of Councilor Linehan, BTD (Boston Transportation Department) has been working with him and the Public Works Department to design a legal parking plan for the area in front of the post office bordered by Emerson, East Third Street and H Street.  A community meeting was held on May 30th, with many residents in favor of the plan.  The final plan calls for constructing a legal, well-defined parking area within the triangle.  A total of 22 parking spaces will be within this parking area and an additional five spaces will be gained on Emerson Street, which currently has 12 parking spaces.  On-street parking on East Third will remain as is.  Unfortunately, implementation of this plan will be delayed due to Boston Water and Sewer Commission work currently taking place in the immediate area.  For the interim, stripes will be painted on the pavement within the triangle to designate parking and ensure traffic and pedestrian safety in the vicinity.  Note that we are testing a similar design at M and East Fourth Street that was installed to mixed reviews.
 
What happened to the green arrow at Dorchester Street and Broadway?

BTD removed the green arrow from the traffic signal at this intersection due to serious safety concerns.  With the green arrow, drivers were turning right from Dorchester Street onto Broadway, and then cutting through ongoing traffic on Broadway to get to the other corner of Dorchester Street.  These drivers were creating a significant conflict between their vehicles and vehicles traveling on Broadway.  Drivers, of course, were taking this chance in order to get through the intersection more quickly.  To help these drivers, at the same time that we removed the green, right-turn arrow, we programmed additional green time to the traffic signals controlling traffic movement on Dorchester Street.  Please note all new traffic signals were installed at this location within the past year as part of the project to reconstruct Perkins Square.  These traffic signals are connected to the Traffic Management Center in City Hall which provides us with the ability to reprogram them at any time.  Furthermore, in recent weeks, a traffic camera was installed at this location.  BTD is now closely monitoring this intersection via the real-time feed from the camera and is prepared to make further changes to the traffic signal operation as necessary.
 
Where can non-residents park in South Boston?
In most, but not all, areas of South Boston, (i.e. Andrew Square) the Resident Permit Parking (RPP) restrictions are only in place in the evening hours, mid-week.  Drivers need to pay very close attention to all posted parking signs, but in most areas, the RPP restrictions are only in effect Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6 PM until 10 AM, and Friday from 12:01 AM to 10 AM.  As a result, visitors may park on a residential street in South Boston on Friday after 10 AM and not have to move their vehicles until Monday afternoon.  Visitors who choose to stay overnight mid-week must park in established visitor parking spaces.  However, parking at these spaces is limited to two hours maximum so vehicles must be moved to a different block-face every two hours or be subject to a $40 parking ticket.  Visitors should also look at parking  in the two municipal parking lots located in South Boston  -  City of Boston Municipal Parking Lot #18 is located at #450 West Broadway and offers parking for 60 vehicles, and Municipal Parking Lot #21 is located at #650 to #652 East Broadway and offers parking for 22 vehicles.  There is also some parking on East First Street and the garage at EDIC.  Wherever they park, it is important for drivers to pay close attention to public safety and read the posted signs to avoid began ticketed and/or towed.

So there you have it!  If you have any questions about living in South Boston, we'll get the answers for you! 

Special thank you to Tommy Tinlin and Tracey from Tommy's office!