MassDOT Removes Spikes Warding Off Homeless In Arlington

ARLINGTON, MA – Road crews removed two rows of metal spikes from underneath a Route 2 bridge Monday after Arlington officials pushed back against their installation. MassDOT put the spikes in place last month following talks about curbing the number of homeless people who sleep under the bridge, which crosses the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway, the Boston Globe reported.

“Upon further discussions with officials from the Town of Arlington, MassDOT has removed the measures under the Route 2 bridge," MassDOT spokesperson Patrick Marvin wrote in an email. "The Department will continue to have conversations with the Town, community members and stakeholders in order to develop a plan to reduce trespassing in the area while assisting vulnerable populations and ensuring public health and safety."

Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine told the Globe he was "not happy" about the use of spikes as a solution. He added that town officials never advocated for placing spikes under the bridge.

According to Marvin, the spikes were not intended to ward off a specific group, but rather to guard against any "trespassers."

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