There's a massive snowbank impeding my regular commute route...
02-20-15, 09:24 AM
#1
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There's a massive snowbank impeding my regular commute route...
....so some friends and I decided to do something about it! 
This is in the corner of the parking lot at the Wellington station on the T's Orange Line, just outside Boston. The snowbank blocks access to that end of the Wellington Greenway bike path, which has been otherwise somewhat maintained.
This is in the corner of the parking lot at the Wellington station on the T's Orange Line, just outside Boston. The snowbank blocks access to that end of the Wellington Greenway bike path, which has been otherwise somewhat maintained.
02-20-15, 09:36 AM
#2
always rides with luggage
I love it. We don't have anything that big here.
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2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
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02-20-15, 09:46 AM
#4
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What if it collapses and someone is trapped inside? You should clear the path top to bottom and shore up the sides, not leaving a dangerous several foot thick roof and walls that could collapse at any time. I can see kids playing in there and getting killed or severely injured. This is the United States, and Massachusetts, nonetheless! What are you thinking? Anywhere else, this would be cool and awesome!
02-20-15, 09:50 AM
#5
always rides with luggage
What if it collapses and someone is trapped inside? You should clear the path top to bottom and shore up the sides, not leaving a dangerous several foot thick roof and walls that could collapse at any time. I can see kids playing in there and getting killed or severely injured. This is the United States, and Massachusetts, nonetheless! What are you thinking? Anywhere else, this would be cool and awesome!
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2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
02-20-15, 10:06 AM
#6
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02-20-15, 10:10 AM
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I would be perfectly ok with the MBTA knocking down the ceiling, as long as the path is left unimpeded. It would actually be quite difficult to do it manually, and we decided that the arch shape is probably more stable than sheer walls.
02-20-15, 12:52 PM
#9
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Just get an engineer to certify it is safe.
02-20-15, 01:05 PM
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02-20-15, 01:47 PM
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02-20-15, 02:10 PM
#13
contiuniously variable
Nice!
Structurally it looks fine, better to have the top held open vs risk the top 1/3 falling in.
- Andy
Structurally it looks fine, better to have the top held open vs risk the top 1/3 falling in.
- Andy
02-20-15, 02:19 PM
#14
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One tap on the Airzound and the whole thing comes crashing down.
Proper signage is absolutely required at this point...no horns, use at your own risk, no stopping, no licking the walls, keep your head down, oncoming traffic ahead, one-way traffic only, must be over 18 to continue beyond this point, speed limit 25 mph.
Proper signage is absolutely required at this point...no horns, use at your own risk, no stopping, no licking the walls, keep your head down, oncoming traffic ahead, one-way traffic only, must be over 18 to continue beyond this point, speed limit 25 mph.
02-20-15, 05:53 PM
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This is great !!
02-21-15, 10:06 AM
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Haha, wow, this story is going viral!
FARK.com: (8606714) While most Bostonians have faced 4-hour MBTA commutes and struggled to dig out their cars, these guys and girl dug a 40 foot tunnel through a snowpile that was blocking their bike path
Where there's a will, there's a way | Universal Hub
How a Group of Local Shovelers Dug a 40 Foot Snow Tunnel on a Medford Bike Path | BDCwire
FARK.com: (8606714) While most Bostonians have faced 4-hour MBTA commutes and struggled to dig out their cars, these guys and girl dug a 40 foot tunnel through a snowpile that was blocking their bike path
Where there's a will, there's a way | Universal Hub
How a Group of Local Shovelers Dug a 40 Foot Snow Tunnel on a Medford Bike Path | BDCwire
02-21-15, 10:32 AM
#17
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That's awesome! How many man-hours did it take to complete? I must agree about the safety issue, however. While a collapse may be unlikely, it is a risk that should not be taken. Finish the job.
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02-21-15, 11:10 AM
#18
contiuniously variable
This is the can-do attitude we used to have here....... if there's a problem, fix it vs whine. 
- Andy
- Andy
02-22-15, 01:01 AM
#19
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It was knocked down sometime today, but apparently they missed the point and left a couple big snow boulders blocking the narrowest section of the path :facepalm:
02-22-15, 01:36 AM
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"The Boston Tunnel Engineering Crew"
Winning.
Winning.
....so some friends and I decided to do something about it!
This is in the corner of the parking lot at the Wellington station on the T's Orange Line, just outside Boston. The snowbank blocks access to that end of the Wellington Greenway bike path, which has been otherwise somewhat maintained.
This is in the corner of the parking lot at the Wellington station on the T's Orange Line, just outside Boston. The snowbank blocks access to that end of the Wellington Greenway bike path, which has been otherwise somewhat maintained.
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FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
02-22-15, 01:49 AM
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02-22-15, 02:39 AM
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I think it looks cute.
I know in the mountains that people dig snow caves and crawl inside as part of storm survival. It is probably stronger than it looks as long as nobody is tobogganing over the top of it.
I'd just be careful as things start to melt in July or August.
It is disappointing that it was knocked down (by the city or punks?).
I know in the mountains that people dig snow caves and crawl inside as part of storm survival. It is probably stronger than it looks as long as nobody is tobogganing over the top of it.
I'd just be careful as things start to melt in July or August.
It is disappointing that it was knocked down (by the city or punks?).
02-22-15, 08:27 AM
#23
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It's pretty cleanly removed, definitely a pro plow job, other than the part where they re-blocked the path...
02-22-15, 09:05 AM
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What if it collapses and someone is trapped inside? You should clear the path top to bottom and shore up the sides, not leaving a dangerous several foot thick roof and walls that could collapse at any time. I can see kids playing in there and getting killed or severely injured. This is the United States, and Massachusetts, nonetheless! What are you thinking? Anywhere else, this would be cool and awesome!
I concur. Good idea but, should have engineered it to prevent a collapse that could engulf unwary users. Folks get killed in these home-brew "projects".