TransReport January 2004

0.12 MB·English

by  Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization

JANUARY 2004
T R A N S
R E P O R T
TRANSPORTATION NEWS FROM THE BOSTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
Third Central Artery/Tunnel Milestone Reached; I-93 Southbound Opens to Traffic
On December 20, transportation history Amorello, U.S. Congressman Michael ramps, there will be less oncoming and
was made in Boston with the interim Capuano, James Gillooly of the City of exiting traffic.
opening of the new Interstate 93 South Boston’s Transportation Department,
This is called an interim opening because
tunnel. This last major milestone of the Major Michael Mucci of the Massachu-
there is a remaining $1 billion worth of
Central Artery/Tunnel Project occurred setts State Police, and others. Governor
work that still needs to be completed
on schedule when a red,
over the next 18 months.
white, and blue ribbon was
This work includes: modifica-
cut by Massachusetts Turn-
tions to the existing Dewey
pike Authority Chairman
Square Tunnel for its use as
Matthew J. Amorello. During
part of the I-93 Southbound
a ceremony preceding the rib-
Tunnel; dismantling of the
bon-cutting, which was
old Central Artery viaduct;
attended by Boston mayor
restoration and re-stitching
Thomas M. Menino and
together of affected adjacent
other dignitaries, Chairman
city surface streets; and the
Amorello called the one-mile
creation of the Rose Kennedy
long tunnel “a Christmas
Greenway. The Greenway
present to the City of
will be a system of new linear
Boston.” With that said,
parks along land reclaimed
Elaine Cronin, a Boston West
from under the old elevated
End resident, drove the first
structure.
vehicle into the gleaming
This was the third major
stretch of new tunnel and
Southbound approach of I-93 from the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill opening for the Central
was presented with a sou-
Bridge prior to its opening on December 20
Artery/Tunnel project in
venir autographed project
2003. The other two openings were the
map and an I-93 South baseball cap for Mitt Romney, who was unable to attend
I-90 Connector to Logan International
her feat. Only minutes before, Stoneham the press conference, said, “There’s a
Airport in January 2003 and the opening
residents Anne and Nick Najjar received light at the end of the tunnel and it’s
of the I-93 North tunnel in March 2003.
accolades for driving the last car over the getting brighter.” The ceremony also
The entire Central Artery/Tunnel proj-
old elevated Central Artery, which was honored the four construction workers
ect is scheduled to be complete by May
closed just moments later. Within an who perished during the Big Dig’s
2005.
hour, additional traffic was funneled into construction.
the new tunnel from Storrow Drive,
With the opening of the new tunnel,
Rutherford Avenue, the Tobin Bridge, a INSIDE THIS ISSUE
motorists are no longer required to use
new on-ramp from New Chardon Street,
the Sumner Tunnel to get to I-93 South-
and Haymarket Square. MPO activities update . . . . . . . . . . . 2
bound. Vehicles also will be able to
Rider oversight committee . . . . . . . . 2
On December 19, a larger ceremony was access I-93 South directly from the I-90
held on the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Connector. Even with the eventual esti- Kendrick Street study . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Hill Bridge, following a press conference mated 91,000 vehicles per day using the
U.S./China trade agreement . . . . . . 3
at the Central Artery/Tunnel Project’s new southbound side, speeds on I-93
FY 2005-2009 TIP process . . . . . . . . 3
Kneeland Street headquarters. The press South are expected to increase because
Meeting calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
conference was attended by Chairman with a lower total number of on- and off-
The members of the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO): Executive Office of Transportation and Construction • City of Boston • City of Everett • City of
Newton • City of Salem • Federal Highway Administration • Federal Transit Administration • Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority • Massachusetts Bay
Transportation Authority Advisory Board • Massachusetts Highway Department • Massachusetts Port Authority • Massachusetts Turnpike Authority • Metropolitan Area
Planning Council • Regional Transportation Advisory Council • Town of Bedford • Town of Framingham • Town of Hopkinton
Riders Sought for New
BOSTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION ACTIVITIES
Oversight Committee
BOSTON MPO AND TRANSPORTATION PLAN- In November 2003,
NING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE ACTION the MBTA Board of
ITEMS Directors approved a
systemwide fare
On December 18, the Transportation Planning and Pro-
increase. In conjunc-
gramming Committee approved:
tion with that deci-
•Transportation Improvement Program Project Information Form—This form is a
sion, the Board created a Rider Over-
transportation programming tool that will be sent to officials of the region’s 101
sight Committee to assist the MBTA
cities and towns for completion. It covers all aspects of proposed transportation
and its Board in future decision making.
projects, including questions about land uses in the area surrounding a proposed
Working in close cooperation with tran-
project, safety and operations, mobility, community impacts and environmental
sit advocacy organizations in the area,
concerns. The information provided on the completed forms will be used to apply
this unique group will convene on a
the MPO’s approved TIP criteria for selecting projects for inclusion in the FY
monthly basis to address issues and con-
2005–09 TIP. (See related article on page three.)
cerns of those who use public transporta-
•Potential I-95 (Route 128) Kendrick Street Interchange, Needham, Massachusetts: An
tion in Boston. The new Committee will
Evaluation of Traffic Impacts—This study was conducted by the Central
consist of 24 members and will begin its
Transportation Planning Staff on behalf of MassHighway and in collaboration
work in early 2004.
with the Town of Needham and the City of Newton. (See related article on page
“We are looking for individual T riders
three.)
who would like to be on the Committee
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL UPDATE
and who can offer good ideas and
The Council has had many conversations about the state’s revenue shortfalls and
thoughtful insights at the monthly meet-
the backlog of transportation projects and infrastructure repairs. Last month, it
ings, [and who have] a willingness to
talked about remedies. State Senator Robert Havern and Representative Stephen
make a firm commitment to the Com-
LeDuc spoke with the Council on the funding problems and discussed some options
mittee’s promising charge,” said MBTA
that might be considered for supplementing transportation funding. Senator Havern
General Manager Michael H. Mulhern.
would like to see more discussion of the region’s transportation needs. Though there
One third of the Rider Oversight Com-
are various potential alternative means of raising additional funds, including gaming,
mittee will be comprised of top MBTA
increasing the gas tax, expanding tolling, and “contracted debt” as in the Route 3
managers, another third will be com-
North design/build project, both agreed that there remain questions concerning how
prised of representatives from advocacy
much money these options might yield and whether or not there will be the politi-
groups such as the T Riders Union, the
cal will to implement them. The Council appreciated the political insights on this
Conservation Law Foundation, and the
issue.
Access Advisory Committee to the
The Council voted to extend ex-officio membership to the Central Massachusetts
MBTA, and the final third will consist
Metropolitan Planning Organization, consistent with its recent position to encour-
of representatives from the MBTA’s rid-
age communication with the Boston region’s contiguous MPOs.
ership at-large. To assemble the most
In January, the Council will discuss the draft statewide Transportation Evaluation productive committee possible, the
Criteria and will look at the region’s sources of transportation income and spending MBTA is asking individuals interested in
categories. becoming a member to provide the
MBTA with their name, phone number,
ACCESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE MBTA (AACT) UPDATE
and some background information such
AACT members celebrated the holiday
as:
season with a festive event that included
1) How often do you use the MBTA
a buffet luncheon, socializing, and the live
(and which services)?
music of Anne Leonard, keyboardist and
AACT member. 2) What is your primary reason for using
the MBTA?
On the agenda for the January meeting is
a presentation on Phase II of the Silver 3) How long have you been using the
Line by Liz Moore of the MBTA’s Service MBTA?
Planning Department. See page four for
4) What do you think are the most
meeting details.
important issues facing the MBTA?
Members enjoying AACT’s annual holiday
party (cid:1) Oversight Committee cont. on p. 4
TRANSREPORT 2 JANUARY2004
MPO Begins FY 2005-2009 MPO Approves I-95/Kendrick Street Study
TIP Process
The Central Transportation Planning differed from one another in terms of the
The MPO has begun the process of devel- Staff (CTPS) recently completed a study number of ramps and the presence or
oping its FY 2005-2009 Transportation of a potential interchange on I-95 at absence of accompanying collector/dis-
Improvement Program (TIP). During the Kendrick Street in Needham. An inter- tributor roadways. These alternatives
development of the last TIP (FY 2004- change at this location had been recom- were evaluated on the basis of such crite-
2008), Project Information Forms were mended in the 1999 Route 128 Trans- ria as traffic operations consequences,
sent to the 101 municipalities in the portation Improvement Project, but it reduction in cut-through traffic, safety,
region to obtain more information about required further study. It was thought access improvement, right-of-way, and
projects under development for use with wetlands impacts. The technical analysis
the MPO’s approved TIP Criteria. Since included assessments of levels of service,
the approval of the FY 2004-2008 TIP, travel demand forecasting, origin/destina-
the MPO has been analyzing the results of tion assessments, and travel time survey-
this effort and has revised the Project ing. One alternative, involving a full
Information Forms to include more objec- diamond interchange and associated col-
tive information about each project such lector/distributor roadways, was deemed
as safety, mobility, land use, and eco- to provide the greatest traffic-related
nomic development data. that this proposal would relieve conges- benefits overall, but it must be stressed
tion at the existing Highland Avenue that no preferred alternative resulted
In late January, MPO staff will be sending
interchange, enhance access to current from the study. Some or all of the alter-
partially completed Project Information
and future businesses in the Highland natives would have to undergo more
Forms to each municipality for projects in
Avenue/Kendrick Street area, and reduce stringent analyses of environmental,
their community. Each municipality will
cut-through traffic on local roads. financial, and right-of-way issues before a
be asked to review each form and add or
preferred alternative could be identified.
edit information as necessary. Specific With assistance from an Advisory Task
instructions will follow and a sample form Force composed of officials from sur- The Boston MPO approved circulation of
will be available on the MPO’s Web site rounding communities, MAPC, the study on December 18, 2003. To
www.bostonmpo.org. MassHighway, business representatives, request a copy, please contact Seth
and state legislators, CTPS identified Asante at 617-973-7098 or
For more information, please contact
eight alternatives (one no-build and [email protected].
Jonathan Church at [phone] or
seven interchange build variants) that
[email protected].
U.S. and China Sign Historic Maritime Agreement; Chinese Officials Visit Bay State
On December 8, U.S. Transportation being shipped each year. Asia represents On December 11, Chinese Premier Wen
Secretary Norman V. Mineta and the largest market for New England busi- Jiabao addressed an audience of state and
China’s Minister of Communications nesses, accounting for 33 percent of New local officials and business executives at
Zhang Chunxian signed the most far- England exports and 57 percent of its the Seaport Hotel during a visit to
reaching maritime agreement in the his- imports. For the port of Boston, major Boston on behalf of the China Ocean
tory of trade between China and the imports include office supplies and ath- Shipping Company (COSCO), which
United States. The five-year bilateral letic goods, and major exports include leads a four-company consortium that
agreement between the two nations offers fish from Gloucester companies. provides direct weekly sailings from
U.S. businesses similar privileges in Boston to Quinado, China. COSCO
The agreement is expected to be a boon
China to what Chinese companies began direct inbound service to Boston
not only for the U.S. maritime industry,
already enjoy in the U.S. It gives U.S. in March 2002 and direct outbound serv-
but also for industries related to port
registered shipping companies the legal ice to China in January 2003. The con-
operations such as trucking and rail. Said
flexibility to conduct an expanded range sortium’s traffic rose from the equivalent
Secretary Mineta, “This new agreement
of business activities in China, including of 579 twenty-foot containers in March
strengthens the U.S. shipping industry by
logistical operations, the provision of 2002 to 3,585 containers in October
opening new markets in China and
services for U.S.-owned vessels, and the 2003. COSCO, which generated $4.3
enhancing efficiencies in overseas ship-
establishment of partnerships. million in fee payments to the port of
ping by allowing direct market access. It
Boston last year, will be renewing its
More cargo containers move between puts our shipping companies where the
agreement with the port this spring.
China and the United States than business is, closer to their markets and
between any other two countries in the their customers.”
world with over 3.2 million containers
TRANSREPORT 3 JANUARY2004
M C (cid:1) Oversight Committee cont. from p. 2
EETING ALENDAR
5) Why would you be a good addition to
Saturday, January 24
The public is welcome to attend the following the Committee?
transportation-related meetings. A photo ID is Three Rivers Interlocal Council 9:00 A.M.
Regional Visioning Session
usually required for access to meeting sites. Responses may be sent via e-mail to the
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
Rider Oversight Committee’s coordina-
Tuesday, January 27
ATTHESTATETRANSPORTATIONBUILDING,
10 PARKPLAZA, BOSTON Central Artery Environmental 3:00 P.M. tor, Barbara Burke, at [email protected],
Oversight Committee
or sent to her attention at the MBTA,
Thursday, January 8 Hale and Dorr, 26th Floor
Boston MPO Transportation 10:00 A.M. 28 State Street, Boston State Transportation Building, 10 Park
Planning and Programming Wednesday, January 28 Plaza, Boston, MA 02116. All responses
Committee: Amendment to the
FY 2004–08 Transportation Rappaport Institute for Greater 8:00 A.M. must be received by Monday, January 5.
Boston: The ‘D’ Word: Building
Improvement Program (TIP)
Dense Communities in Boston
MPO Conference Room, Suite 2150
Harvard University
followed by John F. Kennedy School of Government
79 John F. Kennedy Street, Cambridge
Boston Metropolitan Planning 11:00 A.M.
Organization: Endorsement of Tuesday, February 3
the FY 2004–08 TIP Amendment New Charles River Basin 4:00 P.M
MPO Conference Room, Suite 2150 Citizens Advisory Committee
followed by For location, contact [email protected]
Boston MPO Transportation 11:30 A.M.
Planning and Programming Meeting dates and times are subject to change: please
Committee Work Session call [phone] for confirmation. Additional
MPO Conference Room, Suite 2150
transportation meetings open to the public are listed on
Wednesday, January 14 the Boston MPOWeb site, at www.bostonmpo.org. TRANSREPORT
Regional Transportation 3:00 P.M.
Advisory Council PRODUCEDBYTHECENTRALTRANSPORTATION
Conference Room 1 PLANNINGSTAFF
Wednesday, January 21 Editors Photography
Access Advisory Committee 1:00 P.M. Jonathan Church William Moore
to the MBTA (AACT)
Mary Ellen Sullivan
Conference Room 4
Graphics Contributors
Thursday, January 22
Boston MPO Transportation 10:00A.M. Jane Gillis William Moore
Planning and Programming Kate Parker Karl Quackenbush
Committee PUBLISHEDBYTHEBOSTONMETROPOLITAN
MPO Conference Room, Suite 2150 PLANNINGORGANIZATION
Call [phone] for date
Daniel A. Grabauskas, Chairman
MBTA Board of Directors 1:00 P.M. Dennis A. DiZoglio, Chairman, Barbara G. Lucas,
Conference Rooms 2 and 3
Vice Chair, Transportation Planning and
ATOTHERBOSTON-AREALOCATIONS Programming Committee
Thursday, January 8
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