It’s that time of year again.
In Massachusetts, many students are returning to their universities and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has just one word for the new arrivals: Don’t get “storrowen.”
Building on the success of last year’s social media campaign, the DCR is once again using social media to educate students and new residents. There were no “storrowing” incidents during last year’s move-in weekend, and the DCR “wants to keep that streak alive” with new creative and engaging content. This year’s campaign uses humor, memes, and timely reminders to ensure new residents and students are informed of the risk associated with driving oversized vehicles on certain parkways.
DCR has also expanded its pilot program for new, more visible and longer-lasting “Cars Only” signs that warn truck and van drivers about the low clearances on Storrow Drive, Soldiers Field Road and Memorial Drive. Vehicles over 9 feet tall are at risk of becoming stuck under these overpasses.
“Don’t let Storrow take you by surprise”
These roads are “car only” roads and have a maximum height of nine feet. Trucks, vans and box trucks that exceed this height risk becoming stuck under the overpasses, a situation commonly referred to as “jamming.”
On X, formerly Twitter, DCR stated this week: “Make your move-in day a thriller, not a horror. When moving to the Boston area, do not drive low-clearance vehicles such as box trucks on Storrow Drive, Soldiers Field Road, or Memorial Drive. Pay attention to the many warning signs and follow their advice.”
“As Boston’s move-in day approaches, DCR is increasing its efforts to make the tens of thousands of students and new residents moving to the city aware of the low bridge clearances along our river streets,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “We’ve all seen what happens when moving trucks miss these warning signs — truck roofs are ripped off and traffic jams ensue. We hope our new, more durable signage and a creative social media campaign will prevent damage to our bridges and moving trucks while ensuring a safe and hassle-free experience for everyone.”
Which Boston schools are participating in move-in week?
Some schools include:
What alternative routes to Storrow Drive can people take?
According to DCR, drivers are advised to take alternate routes, “including Beacon Street, Commonwealth Avenue and Massachusetts Turnpike. All bridges east of the Eliot Bridge – including the BU Bridge, Harvard Bridge, Longfellow Bridge, Western Avenue Bridge, River Street Bridge and Anderson Bridge – are open to trucks.”
Is the DCR doing anything to inform people about the problem?
Yes.
According to DCR, the new “Cars Only” signs installed last year on David G. Mugar Way were made of high-visibility yellow aluminum and retroreflective film and designed to be more visible and durable, especially in harsh weather conditions. The new signs proved to be sturdy after surviving a high-speed collision with an overloaded truck and several other incidents. That’s why DCR decided to install these new signs on Soldiers Field Road at the North Harvard Bridge and Memorial Drive at Wadsworth Street. The signs feature an additional four-inch layer of rubber at the bottom to prevent initial contact with over-height vehicles and have improved suspension to withstand high winds.
If these signs prove successful, DCR will replace approximately 50 remaining older signs with this newer version.
The DCR also runs social media campaigns on the topic of “Storrowed”.
DCR officials urge anyone renting a truck for their move to check that the bridges on their route are suitable for the height of their vehicle, if not, to seek alternate routes and to pay attention to the height information on posted signs and electronic display boards.
MassDOT also pointed out that GPS technology does not necessarily provide you with information about clearance conditions at overpasses.
What are the parking restrictions at Boston University?
According to Boston.gov, parking restrictions will be in place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. August 31 to September 1 to facilitate student move-in.
- Pratt Street, north side (even side), from Linden Street to Ashford Street.
- Ashford Street, north side (even side), from Linden Street to Malvern Street
- Gardner Street, north side (even side), from Linden Street to Malvern Street
- Linden Street, east side (even side), from Gardner Street to Pratt Street.
- Brighton Avenue, south side (even side), from Linden Street to Reedsdale Street.
- Highgate Street, north side (even side), from Cambridge Street to Farrington Street.
- Farrington Street, north side (even side), before No. 14 Farrington Street to Highgate Street.
- Cambridge Street, south side (even side), from No. 424 Cambridge Street (near Denby Street) to Linden Street.
- Wadsworth Street, north side (even side), from Pratt Street to Hartley Terrace.
What parking restrictions apply around Northeastern University?
According to Boston.gov, parking restrictions apply on the following streets:
- Opera Place, both sides, from Huntington Avenue to Saint Stephen Street
- Gainsborough Street, south side (even side, Matthews Arena side), from Saint Botolph Street south to MBTA
- Gainsborough Street, both sides, from Huntington Avenue to Hemenway Street
- Hemenway Street, straight side, from Forsyth Way to Westland Avenue.
- Saint Stephen Street, both sides, from Gainsborough Street to Massachusetts Avenue
- Symphony Road, both sides, from Hemenway Street to Saint Stephens Street
- Westland Avenue, both sides, from Hemenway Street to Massachusetts Avenue
