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Home , Aquarium station (MBTA), Congress Street (Boston), Green Line E branch

DECEMBER 2001 TRANSREPORT TRANSPORTATION NEWS FROM THE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION

Aquarium Station Reopens on the MBTA’s Blue Line The Bay Transportation Hall Marketplace. The new west-side east side of the , will open Authority (MBTA) reopened Aquarium entrances improve access to both the in 2003. Station on October 29. The Blue Line area and the Financial Dis- Completely closing the station for subway station had been closed a year allowed the modernization for the past year. The renovated work to proceed more quickly: facility features a longer platform the project can now be completed that makes possible the use of a year ahead of the original 2004 six-car trainsets. The old station scheduled completion date. In was only able to accommodate 2003 the MBTA will start to four-car trainsets. operate six-car trainsets on the Currently, the station can be Blue Line. The $172 million pur- accessed only from a new head- chase of 94 new Blue Line cars house on the west side of the from Siemens Transportation Sys- Central Artery at the intersec- tems, which was authorized by tion of and McKin- the MBTA board of directors in ley Square. The headhouse October, will provide the rolling includes an elevator. A second A Blue Line train enters the reopened Aquarium Station stock required for the operation west-side entrance is nearing com- of longer trains. pletion and will open soon. It is located trict. The old headhouse located adjacent on the other side of State Street, adja- to the Marriott Hotel, as cent to Marketplace Center and Faneuil well as another new headhouse on the

Updated Exhibit Debuts; Construction Delayed

The Museum of Sci- contributions from private companies the five-foot-thick concrete floor. ence and the Cen- working on the CA/T project. Through these holes, workers will inject expandable grout that will fill the 14- tral Artery/Tunnel The Big Dig is the largest, most techni- inch space permanently. Project have cally challenging highway project in reopened an exhibit American history. A current unexpected Big Dig cont. on p. 4 on the Big Dig. challenge is a persistent water leak at Originally opened in between the I-90 1993, it has been renovated and now connection and the Ted Williams Tun- INSIDE THIS ISSUE includes interactive hands-on displays. nel. The leak was discovered in June at One of the main features of the exhibit is the entrance pit of the eastbound side of MPO activities update ...... 2 a model of the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker the connection. A 14-inch space Transportation Plan workshops . . . . 2 Hill Bridge accompanied by a display between the bottom of the tunnel box New Logan Airport roadways . . . . . 3 providing a closer look at the cables that and a concrete base slab has been esti- make the bridge a unique landmark. mated to be allowing approximately trolleys to return ...... 3 Located at the Museum of Science, the 25,000 gallons per minute to pass study ...... 4 exhibit is funded through a grant from through. To fix the leak, engineers are Meeting calendar ...... 4 the Federal Highway Administration and drilling approximately 80 holes through

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 Peabody • Federal Highway Administration • Federal Transit Administration • Joint Regional Transportation Committee • Massachusetts Bay Transporta- tion Authority • Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Advisory Board • Massachusetts Highway Department • Massachusetts Port Authority • Massachusetts Turnpike Authority • Metropolitan Area Planning Council • Town of Bedford • Town of Framingham • Town of Hopkinton BOSTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION ACTIVITIES MPO Workshops Provide Forum for Discussion of SUB-SIGNATORY COMMITTEE UPDATE the Transportation Plan A committee made up of representatives of all MPO mem- Work on the Transportation Plan Update bers met several times in November to develop a revised for the Boston Region continues in Boston MPO Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The preparation for submitting a final docu- MOU, which will replace a 1997 agreement, was required by the Federal Highway and ment to the federal transportation agen- Federal Transit Administrations in their recertification report of March 15. Consensus cies by March 15, 2002. The latest efforts on the new MOU was reached on November 15; a committee is preparing the final included public-outreach workshops held document for approval and signing in December. at various locations throughout the The SSC also met to discuss the 2001 Regional Transportation Plan Update, another region and continued coordination with requirement of the March recertification report. MPO staff presented additional infor- the Joint Regional Transportation Com- mation to help the SSC define a package of projects that will be analyzed using travel mittee (the MPO’s public advisory board) models. After analyzing all the model results and other information, the SSC will rec- and the Metropolitan Area Planning ommend a set of projects for the Plan Update. The draft Plan Update will be circulated Council subregional groups. for a 35-day public review and comment period beginning in late January. These efforts have included distributing JRTC UPDATE information on policies for selecting proj- The Joint Regional Transportation Committee’s subcommittee on the 2001 Regional ects to be recommended in the Plan, on Transportation Plan Update is reviewing materials developed for the Plan and preparing for discussion with the full JRTC at the December meeting. The JRTC will submit its comments on the Plan to the MPO. The JRTC has organized committees to plan pro- PLAN grams and specialize in other MPO documents. It is forming another to update its by- UPDATE laws. The JRTC is also considering ways to facilitate member and citizen participation. Other JRTC activity in the past month included extending membership to the town of 2001 Weymouth. AACT UPDATE alternative project sets being tested using At its November 20 meeting, the Access Advisory Committee to the MBTA (AACT) the regional transportation model, and was given a presentation by the MBTA on the 30 percent–design work for moderniza- on the universe of potential projects. The tion of Savin Hill Station on the Red Line. One aspect of the modernization is making list of potential projects includes ones the station accessible; this includes an elevator from street level to the platform. Work that have been previously studied, are on the station is scheduled to be complete in late summer 2003. currently under study, or are in develop- ment, as well as projects that were pro- posed in comments received during the public-outreach efforts for the Plan MBTA to Hold Meetings for Fairmount Line Commuter adopted in January 2001. The public has Rail Upgrade Study been asked to comment on and add to this list, indicating what the region’s pri- The MBTA is developing a plan for possi- achusetts Avenue, Columbia Road, and orities should be over the next 20 to 25 ble service improvements on the Fair- Blue Hill Avenue. New stations at these years. The list may be downloaded from mount commuter rail line and would like locations, as well as others, are some of the Boston MPO Web site at www.ctps. your opinions and input. The Fairmount the suggestions the MBTA has already org/bostonmpo.plan2000/plan. To request Line operates in Boston and Milton, with received. An increase in service frequency that a copy be mailed, call Anne McGa- stations at in Dorches- is viewed as a way to increase ridership. han at (617) 973-7100. ter, in Mattapan, and Fair- Currently, trains run once an hour during mount and Readville in Hyde Park. the off peak and not on weekends. The comments received by the public will be used by the MPO in selecting the The Fairmount Line Commuter Rail The first meeting to discuss the study was set of projects to be included in the Plan. Upgrade Study will explore several held on November 29 in Hyde Park. The proposed schedule is for the MPO to options for improving service along this Additional meetings are scheduled for release a draft of the Plan Update in Jan- right-of-way. Two improvements that are December 10 in Dorchester and December uary 2002 for a 35-day public review being examined are the construction of 18 in Mattapan; see the meeting calendar period, which will be the next opportu- new stations and an increase in service to the left. For more information concern- nity for public input into the Plan frequency. The line crosses several high- ing the study, call Yawa Duse-Anthony at process. volume streets in Boston, including Mass- 1-800-556-7245.

TRANSREPORT 2DECEMBER 2001 New Logan Airport Roadway System Opens; Other Massport News

The first segment of Logan Airport’s two- after leaving a departure area. This seg- the Massport board of directors in Octo- level roadway system opened to motorists ment has yet to be built, so all vehicles ber went into effect on November 12. on November 11. The purpose of the departing the airport will continue to use The daily rate at Central Parking is now two-level system, which the Massachu- the lower roadway. $22 and the weekly rate is capped at $99. setts Port Authority and the Central Two immediate benefits accrue from the The weekly rate is only available until Artery Project began to build in 1996, is opening of the first segment of the upper satellite parking lots reopen, at which to provide separate routes for vehicles roadway. Work can now begin on the time weekly rates will be offered at those destined for terminal departure areas and direct connection from the Ted Williams economy lots only. The short-term rates vehicles destined for arrival areas. When at Central Parking have been lowered. In the project is completed, vehicles access- consideration of the new restrictions on ing departure areas will use the upper curbside parking, the first half hour at roadway, while those headed for the Central Parking has been reduced from arrival areas will use the lower roadway. $4 to $2. The parking rates at all Logan The Central Parking area will be accessi- Express facilities remain unchanged. ble from the lower roadway only. On the Tobin Bridge, Massport has The segment that Massport opened in opened a second dedicated Fast Lane November, an upper roadway, is for vehi- tollbooth. The new Fast Lane facility, cles entering the airport and heading to which opened on November 9, is located the departure areas of Terminals B, C, Tunnel to Route 1A. A sharp turn on to the left of the existing Fast Lane and E. The Terminal A and D departure the existing inbound roadway can now booth. For more information on Logan areas are still only accessible from the be eliminated as well. Airport, the Tobin Bridge, or other Mass- lower roadway. Part of the project In other Massport news, new Logan Air- port facilities, visit the Massport Web site involves the construction of an upper port parking rates that were approved by at www.massport.com. roadway for vehicles departing Logan

MBTA to Restore Trolley Service to

The Massachu- corridor that are only 40 feet wide led Station via Boylston, Charles, and Bea- setts Department the MBTA to explore the use of long, con streets in . of Environmen- articulated buses in the corridor in place Despite the complications involved in tal Protection of trolleys. Advantages of this alternative the restoration of trolley service, the DEP (DEP) issued a would have included an implementation ruled it to be feasible. The MBTA will determination cost $25 million less than that of the submit a timetable by the end of on No- the year for completion of the vember 7 project. Parking, pedestrian, and requiring the Massachusetts Bay curb impacts suggest that the Transportation Authority (MBTA) MBTA and the city of Boston to restore trolley service to the will need to work together to Jamaica Plain section of Boston. develop an appropriate design. Service was discontinued in 1985 The MBTA projects that the on the two-mile stretch of the $85 million restoration will take Green Line’s E branch between two years for the completion of Heath Street and the Arborway. In design work and engineering, 1990, the commonwealth commit- and then an additional two years ted to the restoration of the service for construction. as part of a package of transit proj- ects to mitigate the environmental The trolley will replace the #39 bus, which the MBTA imple- impact of the Central Artery proj- E Line service in Jamaica Plain, discontinued in 1985 ect. mented to replace the trolley option, and extension of the service in 1985. The #39 bus is the most Concerns over certain new design stan- heavily used line in the MBTA bus sys- dards’ ramifications for restoration of route of the service beyond the current terminus at to Park Street tem, carrying about 40 percent more pas- streetcar service in the portions of the sengers than the next-busiest route.

TRANSREPORT 3DECEMBER 2001 Big Dig cont. from p. 1 MEETING CALENDAR For more information on the Central The public is welcome to attend the following Monday, December 10 Artery/Tunnel Project, call the CA/T transportation-related meetings this month. A photo ID MBTA Fairmount Line 6:00 P.M. is usually required for access to meeting locations. Service Improvements Public Information Office at (617) 951- Alexander Magnolia Co-op 6400 or visit www.bigdig.com. For more AT THE STATE TRANSPORTATION BUILDING, 36 Alexander Street, Dorchester 10 PARK PLAZA, BOSTON Take MBTA route 15 bus from Ruggles or information on the Museum of Science’s Kane Square, or commuter rail to Uphams Wednesday, December 5 Corner Station. Big Dig exhibit, call the museum’s gen- MBTA Board of Directors 1:00 P.M. Thursday, December 13 eral information line at (617) 723-2500 Conference Room 2/3 Central Artery Community 6:00 P.M. or visit www.mos.org. Wednesday, December 12 Meeting (South Boston) Joint Regional Transportation 3:00–5:00 P.M. Children’s Museum Committee (JRTC) 300 , Boston Conference Room 2/3 Monday, December 17 Wednesday, December 19 Central Artery Community 6:00 P.M. Access Advisory Committee 1:30–3:30 P.M. Meeting (Chinatown) to the MBTA (AACT) St. James Church Conference Room 2/3 125 Harrison Avenue, Boston Thursday, December 20 (tentative) Tuesday, December 18 MBTA Fairmount Line 5:00 P.M. Boston MPO Sub-Signatory 10:00 A.M. Committee Service Improvements CTPS Conference Room, Suite 2150 Boston Specialty and Rehabilitation Hospital AT OTHER BOSTON-AREA LOCATIONS 249 River Street, Mattapan Take MBTA route 27 bus from Ashmont or Tuesday, December 4 Mattapan. Massport Public Hearing: 11:00 A.M. Security Regulations for Logan TRANSREPORT Airport and Hanscom Field Media Room PRODUCED BY THE CENTRAL TRANSPORTATION Logan Airport, PLANNING STAFF Wednesday, December 5 Editors Copyediting Program for Mass 7:00 P.M.–9:00 P.M. Scott Hamwey Leland N. Morrison Mary Ellen Sullivan Transportation, MBTA: Contributors Wakefield Area Drop-in Workshop Photography Jonathan Church Presentation at beginning of workshop Ken Dumas Anne McGahan American Civic Center Leo Sullivan Pam Wolfe 467 Main Street, Wakefield Thursday, December 6 PUBLISHED BY THE BOSTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION MassHighway Public Hearing: 7:00 P.M. Proposed Lowell Street Bridge Kevin J. Sullivan, Chairman Replacement Luisa Paiewonsky, MPO Executive Secretary Somerville City Hall Aldermanic Chambers 93 Highland Avenue, Somerville TRANSREPORT is available in accessible for- mats to people with disabilities. Contact the Central Transportation Planning Staff Certifica- tion Activities Group at (617) 973-7119 (voice), (617) 973-7089 (TTY), (617) 973-8855 (fax) or [email protected] (e-mail).

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