Residents Say Eastie Intersection Is a Disaster Waiting to Happen

If you’ve ever driven through the intersection of Bennington Street and Brooks Street, you already know—it’s stressful out there. Neighbors say the setup is beyond confusing and now, after a serious T-bone crash earlier this month caught on camera, frustration is boiling over. CBS Boston recently highlighted the growing concern, and residents are demanding action before someone gets seriously hurt.

The issue? One direction faces a blinking red light, while the other direction sees a blinking yellow. Technically, that means one side should stop and the other should proceed with caution—but in real time, it’s chaos.

“You get to that red light that’s blinking, and this is a yellow light going this way that’s blinking, and no one knows what to do. It’s pure chaos,” said East Boston resident John Wayman, who’s lived in the neighborhood for four years. “It’s amazing to me that nobody has been killed at this intersection.”

The confusing signals are only part of the problem. People routinely cross without a walk sign, and double-parking near the corner makes visibility worse—creating the perfect storm.

As more residents speak up—and with video of the recent crash circulating—many are hoping the city will rethink the signals or redesign the intersection entirely. Until then, drivers and pedestrians are urged to use caution in the area.