BU professor dies after falling through dilapidated MBTA staircase. (Boston: violent crime, inspectors)

[htfdcolt]

It is somewhat disconcerting how long certain repairs take for the MBTA. I don't take the Red Line inbound from Alewife super often, but it seems like for months, I'd hear the announcement about how the elevator at Central Square was broken, and recommending that riders who need it go to Kendall, and take the shuttle back to Central!

[msRB311]

It shouldn't take someone dying to finally fix something. I mean 20 months is a long time.

[Boston Shudra]

Originally Posted by AtkinsonDan

From the article:

"The MBTA said the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation is in charge of maintaining the stairs. When WBZ asked a DCR spokesperson if and when the stairs are scheduled for repair, they did not respond."

Nice catch! I wonder how something like this could have fallen into the DCR's docket?

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by Boston Shudra

Nice catch! I wonder how something like this could have fallen into the DCR's docket?

The assignment of responsibility for infrastructure across the quasi-public agencies (MBTA, DCR, Massport, etc) in Massachusetts has always been bizarre and confusing. To make matters worse DCR is an amalgamation of older, now defunct agencies like the MDC. It'll be extremely good luck if anyone gets a straight answer from DCR on this event.

[ocean900]

Oh, I'm sure they will open an investigation and it will take 5 agencies 2 years and 2 million dollars to conclude it.

Just a crappy sad accident, those barriers were there for so long he probably didn't take it seriously.

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by ocean900

Oh, I'm sure they will open an investigation and it will take 5 agencies 2 years and 2 million dollars to conclude it.

Just a crappy sad accident, those barriers were there for so long he probably didn't take it seriously.

While it is inexcusable for the stairs to reach this level of deterioration, the BU professor is ultimately responsible for his own death for disregarding the barriers and being oblivious to the physical condition of the stairs. Was he dead set on taking some sort of shortcut? (pun unintended)

[msRB311]

I kind of agree...i mean there are many places to run, castle island is right up the street from there...maybe he had a rocky balboa moment where he wanted to run up some steps. It's just sad that now he's left behind 3 young kids because of this accident.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by Boston Shudra

Nice catch! I wonder how something like this could have fallen into the DCR's docket?

People think they just run the parks/beaches, but DCR maintains a good deal of road infrastructure, particularly "Parkways" and other "scenic" roads (they also manage a bunch of bridges, dams, fire towers, fire stations, reservoirs, etc.). Old Colony Road and all of the roadways surrounding Moakley Park are DCR property. If you see a road that goes through or on the periphery of a DCR managed park, beach, reserve, etc. there's a good chance that it's DCR responsibility (along with the connecting infrastructure).

The fact that these stairs are DCR infrastructure really isn't surprising when you look at who owns the surrounding roadways.

I'm not at all surprised by the official statements from either agencies. It probably took some time for the State Police, MBTA, City of Boston, and DCR to even identify the right property owner. The T was probably relieved to say it's not theirs, and DCR is probably running a list of canned responses by their legal department. But since there's a death and an active State Police investigation, I wouldn't expect much more than a "We are heartbroken by the tragic passing of David Jones, our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones. DCR prioritizes public safety and the stairs at Old Colony Ave. were closed in anticipation of scheduled repairs. We're cooperating with the State Police during the ongoing investigation."

[msRB311]

But why would someone choose to go for a run there ? I mean the guy obviously wasn't dumb but had to go on some weird Beaton path for a run. It should been fixed but people should make smarter decisions. If I'm going for a run I'm not going to go to an mbta staircase or construction site to do it.

[mp775]

Originally Posted by Boston Shudra

Nice catch! I wonder how something like this could have fallen into the DCR's docket?

Because the stairs are connected to the Columbia Road bridge and go down to Old Colony Avenue. They are not part of the MBTA station at all.