FEBRUARY 2004 TRANSREPORT

TRANSPORTATION NEWS FROM THE BOSTON REGION METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION

Big Dig Starts Demolition of Old Route 93 South TIP How To Seminars “ ” Now that the new I-93 southbound tun- located where the old roadway rises to its Scheduled for February nel has opened, the pace of demolishing highest elevation of 100 feet and it also The Boston Region Metropolitan Plan- Boston’s old, elevated Central Artery has hangs over a corner of the Leonard P. ning Organization (MPO) will be con- picked up. Recently, a one-block-long Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge. This section ducting four seminars on the transporta- section of the old highway adjacent to of highway should be down before the tion planning process for municipal per- Faneuil Hall, consisting of 60-ton pieces Democratic National Convention in July. sonnel in the region who are responsible for or contribute to the development of the Transportation Improvement Pro- gram (TIP) in their communities. These seminars will provide instruction, discus- sion, and technical assistance on project advancement through the MPO’s TIP process. MPO staff will also be available to answer questions about the MPO’s Congestion Management System (CMS). See the calendar on page 4 for details . of steel, was torn down. The demolition The entire Big Dig project is scheduled removed, 12,500 tons of concrete will of this section opened up a view of to be completed during the summer of have been turned into rubble, and a sec- Boston Harbor not seen from that neigh- 2005, after the completion of 30 acres of tion of highway that was 28 football borhood since the 1950s. new parks, several new buildings, surface fields in length will have been removed. street reconnections, and the last piece of Matthew Amorello, Massachusetts Turn- For photos of both the ongoing Central the rebuilt Dewey Square Tunnel. pike Authority Chairman, said of the Artery demolition and the December Finally, the temporary underpinning sys- sight, “Now, we’re getting to see what the 2003 opening of I-93 southbound, visit tem, consisting of massive steel columns, new Boston is starting to look like, how the official Big Dig website at girders, and beams that supported the old it’s starting to take shape.” www.bigdig.com. elevated highway while the new tunnel The existing one-mile-long elevated was being built, will be removed in order Central Artery runs from the Charles to allow proper sealing of the tunnel roof River to just behind the Fleet Center, against leaks and the installation of new and then to the Dewey Square Tunnel, utility lines. just north of South Station. According to INSIDE THIS ISSUE Chairman Amorello, the section between Because the material being removed is the Dewey Square Tunnel and Causeway classified as hazardous waste, the old con- MPO activities update ...... 2 crete roadway, now broken up into small Street is scheduled to be demolished by Bicycle news ...... 2 April of this year, assuming the weather pieces, must be shipped to landfills in New services at Logan Airport . . . . . 3 cooperates. Near the Fleet Center, the Maine and New Hampshire. The steel Storrow Drive on-ramp is scheduled to framework from the Artery is being MPO certification review ...... 3 come down in May 2004. The section transported to a facility in Everett to be URS begins MassRIDES north of the Fleet Center is the most recycled into new structural steel. By the program ...... 3 time the demolition project is completed, challenging to demolish because it is Meeting calendar ...... 4 36,000 tons of steel will be have been

The members of the Boston Region 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 BOSTON REGION METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION ACTIVITIES Progress on Two Planned Rail BOSTON REGION MPO ACTION ITEMS Trails; MBTA Bike Committee On January 8, the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Seeks Members Organization endorsed an amendment to the Fiscal Years In December the Massa- 2004–08 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The chusetts Turnpike amendment, which had been distributed for public review in November, added the Authority Board voted Lowell Street Bridges project to 2004 and moved the Route 99/Alford Street Bridge to allow public use of a in Everett from 2004–06 to 2005–07. In addition, the MBTA’s bridge program proj- half-mile segment of the ect description was revised to include the Fairmount Bridge. proposed Cochituate Rail TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE Trail, from Route 30 in ACTION ITEMS Framingham to the Natick town border On January 22, the MPO’s Transportation Planning and Programming Committee near Route 9. approved the following: The proposed four-mile trail extends from • The Transportation Improvement Program Process at the Boston Region Metropolitan Natick Center to the village of Saxon- Planning Organization, an instructional handbook for assisting municipal officials in ville in Framingham. The Massachusetts completing TIP project information forms. Turnpike Authority, the MBTA, and rail • A solicitation letter to entities elegible to participate in the MPO’s Suburban freight carrier CSX own different por- Mobility Program. The letter was sent to suburban communities, regional planning tions of the the land needed for the proj- agencies, regional transit authorities, and transportation management associations. ect. Communities and organizations that have received the letter are reminded that The decision allows for public use of a the deadline to submit a letter of interest in the program is February 17. 24-foot-wide right-of-way of the Turnpike • A work program for the Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS) to provide Authority–owned corridor. A leasing ridership forecasts for the Green Line Extension to Arborway Study, which is being agreement between the Town of Fram- conducted by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, the MBTA’s primary consultant for the ingham and the MBTA for the MBTA- study of the design and environmental elements of the restoration of Green Line owned portion of the proposed trail is service to Arborway. pending. The Natick segment of the pro- • MPO endorsement of the draft Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization posed Cochituate Trail, owned by CSX, Title VI Report. This report, which is required by the Federal Transit Administra- is in limited use by the freight carrier. tion, describes the MPO’s efforts to meet the needs of the region’s minority and The rail trail, as envisioned, would offer low-income populations. pedestrians and bicyclists safe access to • The report Suburban Transit Opportunities Study, produced by CTPS, which pro- malls in Natick and Framingham, as well vides an overview of the methods, techniques, and lessons learned by transit agen- as to fishing, boating, and picnicking cies about operating sustainable suburban transit systems. A CD or print version of areas. It would also provide a connecting the report may be requested by contacting project manager route to the commuter rail station in Clinton Bench at (617) 973-7100 or [email protected]. downtown Natick. REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL UPDATE Plans for a trail in Peabody have At the January meeting, Ken Miller, Director of EOTC/MassHighway’s Bureau of advanced to the design stage with the Transportation Planning and Development, and David Mohler, Deputy Director for selection of Medford-based Green Inter- that office, discussed the commonwealth’s Transportation Evaluation Criteria (see national Affiliates by Peabody officials. December 2003 TRANSREPORT) and its relation to the MPO’s selection criteria. The firm will complete the design of a 6.2-mile bicycle/pedestrian trail from In February the Council will hear from contiguous MPOs on their important issues Peabody Square to the Middleton town and priorities and will discuss the Boston Region’s triennial certification review, line. which will be underway at that time. Rick Marquis, of the Federal Highway Admin- istration, will be available to answer questions and listen to members’ comments. $162,000 has been appropriated from the city's Community Preservation Fund for ACCESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE MBTA (AACT) UPDATE the completion of the design and the In January MBTA general manager Michael Mulhern named Jim Oliver, AACT commonwealth will provide matching chair, to the MBTA’s newly established Ridership Oversight Committee. This com- funds. Peabody has also signed 99-year mittee will meet monthly to address issues and concerns of those who use public leases with the MBTA allowing free use transportation in Boston. In February Christine Bond, of the MBTA Human of the railbeds for the purpose of con- Resources Department, will discuss the MBTA’s Employee Training Program, with structing and maintaining a trail. particular emphasis on the Americans with Disabilities Act. I Bicycle News cont. on p. 4

TRANSREPORT 2FEBRUARY 2004 Logan Airport Hosts New Services MPO Seeks Input on On January 7, JetBlue Airways began required. For more information about Jet- Certification Review service from Logan International Airport, Blue schedules and fares, visit www. The Federal Highway making Boston the airline’s 22nd city jetblue.com or call 1-800-JETBLUE Administration (FHWA) served by the carrier. Based out of New (538-2583). and Federal Transit York City’s JFK International Airport, In related airport news, American Air- Administration (FTA) JetBlue is a low-fare passenger airline lines announced that it will be the first will conduct a certification that provides high-quality customer serv- carrier to provide daily non-stop flights review of the Boston Region ice. The carrier began with service from from Boston to Manchester, England, Metropolitan Planning Organization Feb- Boston to Denver, beginning May ruary 10–12. The review will evaluate Orlando, and 15. The seasonal how well the MPO is conducting the Tampa, and on flights will depart transportation planning process for its January 16 it from Terminal B region, which encompasses 101 cities and added service to through October towns. LA/Long Beach using Boeing 757 and Fort Laud- An MPO must receive a favorable certifi- aircraft. In addi- cation review in order to continue to be erdale. On Janu- tion, Alitalia ary 30, JetBlue certified as eligible to receive federal announced that it funds. The certification review will be expanded its will be starting its schedule to composed of all-day interviews with seasonal service from Boston to Rome on MPO members and an evening meeting include four daily flights to Orlando, two June 1, with five daily non-stop flights daily flights to LA/Long Beach, Tampa, with the public. (See the calendar on per week. Flights will depart from Termi- page 4 for details.) and Fort Lauderdale, and one daily flight nal E through October using Boeing to Denver. 767–type aircraft. For more information “The MPO joins the FHWA and FTA in With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all about American Airlines, visit encouraging local officials and members travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, www.aa.com, and for more information of the public to attend the evening meet- and a Saturday night stay is never about Alitalia, visit www.alitalia.com. ing, designed to gather public input, and daytime interviews with representatives URS to Administer New Statewide Travel Options Program of the MPO that are open to the public,” URS Corporation has been selected by online ride-matching services to find a said Daniel A. Grabauskas, Transporta- the Massachusetts Highway Department carpool partner, join a vanpool, or begin tion Secretary. “We want to know where to manage its new statewide travel using transit for their commute to work. we are succeeding and where we might options program, MassRIDES. The pro- MassRIDES will focus on all means of need improvement in the way we plan.” gram is aimed at reducing drive-alone travel—including nonmotorized options, Written comments may be submitted to trips and easing traffic conditions for such as bicycling and walking. Mr. Stanley Gee, Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, 55 travelers throughout the state. URS The program staff will work closely with Broadway, 10th Floor, Cambridge, MA replaces CARAVAN for Commuters, a the state’s Safe Routes to Schools pro- 02142-1093, and Mr. Richard H. Doyle, nonprofit organization that had managed gram, with WalkBoston, and with other Regional Administrator, Federal Transit the state’s commute options program for community efforts aimed at improving Administration, 55 Broadway, Suite 920, many years. The transition to private- mobility and expanding peoples’ travel Cambridge, MA 02142-1093. sector management of the travel options choices. A Commuter Incentive Program contract will refocus the existing program is also being planned for early this spring, on delivering customer-oriented services been a fulfilling challenge to create, in which drive-alone commuters will be develop, and deliver comprehensive com- to travelers throughout all of Massachu- encouraged financially to switch from setts. muter services to the citizens of Massa- driving alone to carpooling, vanpooling, chusetts. We thank MassHighway for the A new, bilingual 24-hour customer ser- taking transit, or using other means of honor of being selected for this important vice line will enable callers to receive travel to work. MassRIDES will also work work for the last 25 years. We wish our information on their travel choices at the with the state on air quality improve- successors the best as they continue to time they need it most. An aggressive ment strategies, particularly to offset any build on these services.” statewide outreach initiative will invite negative effects that might be caused by private businesses and public agencies major new developments. For more information on MassRIDES, alike to join in the effort to help reduce call 1-888-4-COMMUTE or contact Said former CARAVAN for Commuters project director Margaret Dwyer at Mar- traffic congestion. Travelers throughout director, Carolyn DiMambro, “It has the commonwealth will be able to use [email protected]

TRANSREPORT 3 FEBRUARY 2004

I Bicycle News cont. from p. 2 EETING ALENDAR M C The project involves constructing a The public is welcome to attend the following AT OTHER BOSTON-AREA LOCATIONS paved path and, where possible, gravel transportation-related meetings. A photo ID is usually required for access to meeting sites. Monday, February 9 walkways on the sides of the path. The Transportation Improvement 8:30 A.M. AT THE STATE TRANSPORTATION BUILDING, Program (TIP) “How To” project will also include enhanced cross- 10 PARK PLAZA, BOSTON Seminar* walks at the 13 locations where the trail Burlington Town Hall Thursday, February 5 Main Hearing Room, 2nd Floor crosses streets. Boston Region Metropolitan 10:00 A.M. 29 Center Street, Burlington Planning Organization More bicycle news— the MBTA Bikes MPO Conference Room, Suite 2150 Transportation Improvement 2:00 P.M. Program (TIP) “How To” and Transit Advisory Committee is look- Boston Region MPO 10:15 A.M. Seminar* ing for new members. The committee Transportation Planning and Canton Town Hall Programming Committee Work Session Selectmen’s Meeting Room, 2nd Floor examines the relationship between bicy- MPO Conference Room, Suite 2150 810 Washington Street, Canton cles and transit and reviews MBTA bicy- Tuesday, February 10 Tuesday, February 17 cle policies. It meets four times a year. Federal Certification Review 9:00 A.M. of the Boston Region MPO: Charles River Basin Citizen 4:00 P.M. For more information, please contact All-Day Meeting with MPO Agencies Advisory Committee Conference Room 1, Second Floor Department of Conservation Steve Woelfel at 617-222-5237. and Recreation Wednesday, February 11 Marilyn Morrison Board Room Federal Certification Review 9:00 A.M. 20 Somerset Street, Boston TRANSREPORT of the Boston Region MPO: All-Day Meeting with MPO Agencies Wednesday, February 18 Conference Room 1, Second Floor Transportation Improvement 8:30 A.M. PRODUCED BY THE CENTRAL TRANSPORTATION Program (TIP) “How To” PLANNING STAFF Regional Transportation 3:00 P.M. Seminar* Advisory Council Natick Public Library Editor Photography Conference Room 4 14 East Central Street, Natick Mary Ellen Sullivan Carol Gautreau Bent Federal Certification Review 6:30 P.M. Sean Daly of the Boston Region MPO: Transportation Improvement 2:00 P.M. Contributors Meeting with the Public Program (TIP) “How To” Graphics Jonathan Church Seminar* Conference Room 1, Second Floor Ken Dumas Margaret Dwyer, URS Town Hall, Lower Conference Room William Moore Thursday, February 12 242 Union Street, Rockland Copyediting Pam Wolfe Federal Certification Review 9:00 A.M. Kate Wall of the Boston Region MPO: * This seminar is intended for municipal officials who All-Day Meeting with MPO Agencies wish to learn more about the Boston MPO’s TIP PUBLISHED BY THE BOSTON METROPOLITAN Conference Room 1, Second Floor process. Participants are asked to preregister by con- PLANNING ORGANIZATION Thursday, February 19 tacting Pam Wolfe at (617) 973-7100 or Daniel A. Grabauskas, MPO Chairman Boston Region MPO 10:00 A.M. [email protected]. Dennis A. DiZoglio, Chair, and Barbara G. Lucas, Transportation Planning and Vice Chair, Transportation Planning and Programming Committee Programming Committee MPO Conference Room, Suite 2150 Meeting dates and times are subject to change: please call (617) 973-7119 for confirmation. Additional Wednesday, February 25 transportation meetings open to the public are listed TRANSREPORT is available in accessible formats Access Advisory Committee 1:00 P.M. on the Boston Region MPO Web site, at www. to the MBTA (AACT) to people with disabilities. Contact the Central Conference Room 2 bostonmpo.org. Transportation Planning Staff Certification Call (617) 222-5179 for date Activities Group at (617) 973-7119 (voice), MBTA Board of Directors 1:00 P.M. Conference Rooms 2 and 3 (617) 973-7089 (TTY), (617) 973-8855 (fax), or [email protected] (e-mail).

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TRANSREPORT is published monthly by the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization to disseminate information on current transportation projects and issues in the Boston region. Comments and requests to be added to or deleted from the mailing list are welcome and should be sent either to TRANSREPORT Editor, CTPS, 10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150, Boston, MA 02116, or to [email protected]. TRANSREPORT is free. Its preparation is financed in part by grants from the Federal Highway Administration and Fed- eral Transit Administration.