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by Mike_Beaudet from Dedham

Last Post 23 days, 12 hours Ago


Drivers at Risk?
May 6, 2008 | 5:46 PM
Category: News
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It's been almost a year since a man was nearly killed while driving along Route 128 in Westwood. A grate flew up into the air and smashed through the windshield of his car. Now we've learned that Mass Highway is testing a new grate that has tabs and a lock on it to secure it in place. The new grates are also heavier than the old ones. If the tests go well, the state is talking about replacing all the grates in the state... tens of thousands of them.

The state knew about problems with grates dislodging on Route 6 in Eastham before the Westwood tragedy. But only after the the incident in Westwood is the state now finally looking at changing its grates. It is also worth noting that other states, including New York, already use locking grates.

The victim in Westwood is still suffering from traumatic brain damage. Do you think the state could have prevented this tragedy?

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Member Comments Total Comments: 7
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Chip read my blog view my photos
May 7, 2008 | 5:22 AM

Tragedy is a part of life....and hindsight is 20/20. I'm glad they are fixing it now.
Valintyne read my blog view my photos
May 7, 2008 | 7:03 AM

I completely agree, Chip. Our state, mismanaged as it may be, only has so much money and resources, and they surely thought loose grates were not a top priority issue. I would love for all the potholes in my town to be fixed, too, but that's simmply not going to happen barring some great tragedy, God forbid. They're taking appropriate action by addressing this problem now.
Chip read my blog view my photos
May 7, 2008 | 7:35 AM

You're not in love with Main Street, Valintyne? Look at the name of the construction company who was awarded the contract, then harken back to that name...do the words "Big" and "Dig" come to mind?
Valintyne read my blog view my photos
May 7, 2008 | 7:53 AM

Really, Chip? I didn't know that! I do know that my '93 Blazer loses parts every time I drive over the bridge, and the last time my Dad took me for a ride on his motorcycle, he didn't want to take 2A because of the road condition - and he's been riding for 40 years! I'll check out the name next time I go through town.
Chip read my blog view my photos
May 7, 2008 | 8:41 AM

Valintyne...OR he's been riding for 40 years BECAUSE he donesn't drive streets like Main St. :-)

You will find where they park their equipment just across the back street behind the YMCA at the intersection of School and South (Actually Traverse I guess but it's only a block). Hint:

The name of the company reminds me of a guy who used to run the Turnpike Authority....

Lemme know what YOU think!!!
Valintyne read my blog view my photos
May 7, 2008 | 10:24 AM

Oh, yes! I did notice that! My street is right off of School, so I walk downtown that way a lot. I wondered if Amorello Construction had anything to do with the infamous Matt. I think it's just a coincidence, but it's funny all the same. Well, at least they're working on the bridge now.

And by the way, if you haven't tried it yet, Roadies at Country Convenience down there has some AMAZING fried chicken & jo-jo potatoes. Rivals Douguay's in Gardner. Cheaper, too.
Chip read my blog view my photos
May 7, 2008 | 11:56 AM

Country Style Pizza (they deliver) and Eddie's Restaurant on South St....Good Italian food at Eddie's!!! (Now, how far off topis are we? Sorry, Mike!!!)
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Mike_Beaudet

I am FOX25's investigative reporter.

Member Since: 10/17/2006


 

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