I have seen this all the time. Please do something!!!

Managers in Cambridge report that they have counseled City Employees to observe all City and State speed limits. Though, yesterday, I found myself passed by two City police on motorcycles. Matching their speed, I found myself speeding at 35 MPH on Fresh Pond Parkway in a 25 MPH zone. The two police stopped for gas. I parked and talked with them. One insisted the speed limit was 35 MPH. They had passed at least one sign and next to the gas station another soon to pass: 25 MPH.

Management would be counseled to be more insistent that City employees and all of us observe the speed limit.

I too cross Huron Ave(@Fresh Pond Pkwy)every day and see that one need wait no longer than one light cycle to witness a citable violation: speeding, illegal turns, running red lights. It all happens all the time.
Greater CAMBRIDGE and State Police presence would help, but traffic calming measures at the intersection and along Huron Ave and along Fresh Pond Pkwy would be the more constant and long term solution. This would also save police personnel resources.
We have seen collisions and loss of life. We need to be better than this.

Here's the thing: Huron Ave. is not one of the streets getting reduced to a new 20 mph limit. Its speed limit is set to remain 25 mph. https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/trafficparkingandtransportation/speedlimitsincambridge

In addition, as Russ mentions, extra police enforcement is merely a bandaid on a larger problem: the design of the street is such that it feels natural to drive over 25 mph. Huron is quite wide and rather straight, so even maintaining 25 mph while driving (as I do) feels slow. Unfortunately the city missed an opportunity to rectify this during the sewer separation project. For example, if the bike lanes were moved to the curbside and the parking moved toward the travel lanes, the visual width of the road would be much narrower and drivers would have less incentive to speed. Chicanes (such as on Concord Ave. between Walden and FPP) would have been another way to slow motorists, but they weren't used on Huron either.

City Hall – DR assigned this issue to Police - JW (Communications)

Thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed communication.

I do want to assure you from the Police Department that the Traffic Unit has been notified and confirmed receipt of these concerns. We will be using the information outlined as a means for deploying resources for monitoring and targeted enforcement. We are also ramping up plans to begin increased enforcement citywide with Patrol Operations and Traffic. These locations will be factored into those efforts.

Why was this issue closed?
It should remain an open issue until more enforcement and roadway improvements are in place.
This is an OPEN issue until we, the residents, see safer conditions.

Until the problem is addressed this should remain an open issue.

Hi Russ - As it pertains to issues like speeding and other issues that require an ongoing response, this system is best leveraged for data purposes and thus why the items are closed out when initially reviewed and staff are notified.

Thanks for your reply JW. The dangerous conditions on Huron Avenue (and fresh Pond Parkway)are only partially a police issue. Unfortunately it has fallen to both Cambridge and to state police to deal with an issue that is caused by poor roadway design and will persist until those roads are modified to eliminate the hazards. It is for that reason that I reopen the issue although I appreciate your explanation. We ought to be hearing from city traffic engineers on this forum because the solution why is ultimately in their hands.

Huron Avenue between Fresh Pond Parkway and Concord Avenue was recently fully reconstructed, with improved crosswalks, curb extensions, and narrower travel lanes to encourage reduced speeds for drivers traveling through the corridor. As noted above, the Cambridge Police will continue to monitor and enforce speeds on this roadway with the traffic enforcement unit.