JULY 2002 TRANSREPORT TRANSPORTATION NEWS FROM THE BOSTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION

Summer Street Viaduct in South Boston Reopens to Traffic; Central Artery/Tunnel Project at 82 Percent Completion Another Central Artery project mile- lane bridge has been set up to accommo- In a “State of the Project” address given stone was reached on June 10 when the date construction work on the new con- at the Greater Boston Chamber of Com- Summer Street Viaduct reopened to vention center near its southern end. merce’s annual Government Affairs vehicular and pedestrian traf- Breakfast, Massachusetts Turnpike fic in its new permanent chairman Matthew J. Amorello alignment. A new 800-foot- reported that the Central Artery long steel bridge replaces a project is 82 percent complete. The decaying bridge that was event was held in a completed tunnel closed in 1998 to make way section of I-90 under the Fort Point for Route I-90 tunnel con- Channel in South Boston. Mr. struction and a new South Amorello also reported that the proj- Boston Interchange. ect cost is holding at $14.625 billion The temporary connection and announced that a public walk between Summer and Con- through the soon-to-be-completed gress streets that was put in I-93 tunnels is tentatively planned place when the old viaduct for August 18. Details on that walk was closed has been discontin- will be provided in the August issue ued. A temporary traffic con- Summer Street Viaduct (convention center construction at left of TRANSREPORT. figuration on the new four- and new tunnel vent building on the right)

Caravan for Commuters Receives National Awards CARAVAN for Commuters, a full-serv- Established in 1978 as a pilot program To obtain more information on ice commuter transportation organization funded by the Massachusetts Highway CARAVAN, visit www.commute.com or that provides assistance to employers and Department (MassHighway), CARA- call 1-888-4-COMMUTE. the commuting public, has been recog- VAN now operates a vanpool program, nized by the U.S. Department of Trans- provides ride matching, offers informa- portation as a Commuter Choice Pioneer tion and referral services on all trans- INSIDE THIS ISSUE for its work in providing choices for com- portation modes, implements worksite- muters in dealing based commuter MPO activities update ...... 2 with congestion. It programs, and man- Central Artery mitigation ...... 2 is one of only 11 ages MassHighway’s Green space and pedestrian publicly supported organizations in the Transportation Demand Management enhancements ...... 3 country to receive this prestigious award. Program. MBTA ferry fleet purchase ...... 4 CARAVAN has also been designated a “CARAVAN for Commuters’ programs MBTA Bill of Rights program . . . . . 4 Commuter Choice Champion by the provide an important alternative means U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of transportation,” said MassHighway Transit-based mortgage program . . . 5 for its leadership role in establishing acting commissioner John Cogliano. “It’s Amtrak’s Downeaster service . . . . . 5 commuter services in Massachusetts that great to see CARAVAN recognized for Logan runway Final EIS ...... 6 reduce congestion, air pollution, and fuel their important work.” Meeting calendar ...... 6 consumption.

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 • 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 METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION ACTIVITIES Mitigation Update Given to Artery Oversight Committee TRANSPORTATION PLANNING & PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE ACTION ITEMS The Boston MPO’s Transportation Planning and Program- ming Committee approved two adjustments to the fiscal year 2002–07 Transportation Improvement Program at a The status of the Central Artery mitiga- meeting held on June 20. The adjustments, which were adopted after a 30-day pub- tion commitments was the subject of the lic comment period, reassign funding for seven bridges and allow construction at the June Central Artery Environmental Blue Line’s Maverick Street Station to begin in 2003. Oversight Committee meeting. The National experts on best practices for environmental justice also attended the meet- briefings included updates from Susan ing and provided guidance on developing a systems-level analysis of environmental Altshuler and Dennis DiZoglio of the justice issues. MBTA on the Washington Street Silver The committee set forth a schedule for meeting upcoming federal deadlines for the Line, clean buses, the Urban Ring, Transportation Plan, the FY 2003 Unified Planning Work Program, and the FY Arborway restoration, and the Red 2003–08 TIP. The circulation of a major amendment to the current TIP was Line–Blue Line connection. announced for July 25; representatives from the region’s municipalities are invited to The Washington Street Silver Line will provide updated information on the status of their projects at a meeting on July 18. begin operation this summer, initially See the calendar on page 6 for details on meetings planned to date for the develop- using 40-foot compressed natural gas ment of these documents. (CNG) buses, which will be replaced REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL UPDATE with 60-foot CNG buses by the end of At the Advisory Council’s June 2002. The service will include 14 stations meeting, Barbara Lucas, chair of with electronic messaging boards and the Transportation Planning and kiosks, will use traffic signal preemption Programming Committee’s Task to shorten travel time, and will give users Force on TIP Criteria, presented free transfers at Downtown Crossing Sta- a progress report on the develop- tion to the Red Line and at Boylston Sta- ment of pilot guidelines for the tion to the Green Line. selection of TIP projects. The The MBTA is running its diesel buses on draft criteria cover all types of ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel. In addition, projects and would promote 400 model year 1994/1995 diesel buses consistency of projects with Jeff Levine (R) and Wig Zamore (L) of Somerville will be retrofitted with diesel particulate discussing Assembly Square issues with Council members MPO policies. The Advisory filters. To date, 48 are completed; the Council’s TIP Committee, chaired by Malcolm Davis, will undertake a detailed remainder will be completed at the rate review of these guidelines. of four buses per week. The engines on Karl Quackenbush, deputy director at the Central Transportation Planning Staff, these 1994/1995 buses will also be talked about how CTPS’s computer model works and is used. Modeling produces upgraded by July of 2004. All buses older objective information needed for policy development and decision-making. than 1994 will be retired by the end of 2004. In addition, the MBTA is purchas- The Advisory Council was also briefed by CTPS project managers Mary Ellen Sulli- ing 358 compressed natural gas buses. van and David Mohler on the progress of, respectively, the Unified Planning Work These improvements to the bus fleet will Program and the TIP. Funding constraints, more severe than in the recent past, are reduce emissions by 44 percent. imposing limitations this year. Led by Bob Sturgis, the Council’s UPWP Committee is reviewing the document as it is being developed. The Major Investment Study of circum- ferential transit improvements in the The Advisory Council continued its practice of viewing sites of important projects Urban Ring corridor has been completed, with a June 19 trip to Assembly Square. Members heard about the City’s plans for and a three-phase, multimodal project development, connections to transit, and highway access improvements. recommended as the preferred implemen- ACCESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE MBTA UPDATE tation strategy. No further environmental In June, AACT members focussed their attention on MBTA elevators — from review is required for the additional planned construction of new elevators for the system, to the MBTA’s maintenance Phase I crosstown and express bus routes and cleaning program, to the methods used to inform people with disabilities of out- to be implemented over the next five ages. These issues are all of great concern to the disability community since the years using low-emission vehicles. How- unavailability of an elevator severely restricts mobility and can make the difference in whether someone is able get to work, go shopping, etc. ■ Mitigation Update cont. on p. 4

TRANSREPORT 2JULY 2002 Pedestrian Enhancements and Green Space Growing, from Downtown to Neighborhoods

Boston’s reputation as a walkable city will by the Metropolitan District Commission TREE PLANTING FOR CENTRAL be enhanced by a number of recent and (MDC). CORRIDOR BOULEVARD BEGUN ongoing projects, including the latest in a One of the other four parks, Paul Revere On June 20 Central Artery/Tunnel and series of Central Artery mitigation meas- Park in Charlestown, opened in July City of Boston officials held a ceremony ures along the New Charles River Basin, 1999. Work on Nashua Street Park in for the planting of the first trees along a new footpath in Jamaica Plain, and the Boston began last October and is the boulevard that will extend from planting of trees along the boulevard that expected to be completed in May 2003. Boston’s Leather District to the North will replace the elevated Artery. North Point Park was designed by Carr, End. The six linden trees that were Lynch, and planted along Atlantic Avenue beside Sandell of South Station are the first of 900 linden, Cambridge, honey locust, and other trees planned for and the the open space that will be created when $18.4 mil- the Central Artery comes down. lion con- Details on the creation of a trust com- struction posed of state and city appointees who contract was will build and maintain the open space awarded to are currently before the Legislature. Four Jay Cash- design teams have been selected for two man, Inc. key parcels between the North End and The park is Haymarket. expected to In other pedestrian news, the MDC will be com- refurbish six pedestrian overpasses that pleted in cross Storrow Drive at Magazine Street,

Courtesy of the Metropolitan District Commission early 2004. Schematic of New Charles River Basin Fairfield Street, Dartmouth Street, Embankment Road (Charles Street), NORTH POINT PARK NEW ARNOLD ARBORETUM Blossom Street, and Sherborn Street. GROUNDBREAKING FOOTPATH DEDICATED They will be repainted, and damaged On June 13 the Central Artery/Tunnel At the other end of Boston’s Emerald metalwork will be repaired. In order to Project held a groundbreaking for a new Necklace, a new pedestrian footpath was avoid unnecessary impacts on the flow of park at a site near the Museum of Sci- dedicated on May 4 that links the automobile traffic, the work will be con- ence and the Green Line Viaduct. The Arnold Arboretum with the MBTA’s For- ducted between the hours of 9:00 P.M. nine-acre park will include a playground, est Hills Station in Jamaica Plain. The and 5:00 A.M. No two adjacent over- pedestrian and bicycle paths, extensive 2,000-foot-long pathway meanders passes will be closed simultaneously; this plantings, benches, lighting, and artwork. through previously unused green space will minimize the distances pedestrians It will also include newly constructed between the Orange Line and the will be required to detour. islands reached by pedestrian bridges and Arboretum’s South Street Gate. The bordered by a new granite seawall along transit/pedestrian connection their inner shoreline. is further enhanced by the The park will be one of six created as installation of a signalized Central Artery/Tunnel Project mitigation crosswalk from Forest Hills measures along and near the New Station to the footpath and a Charles River Basin in Boston, crosswalk from the footpath to Charlestown, and Cambridge. The parks the South Street Gate. The will provide 40 acres of new open space creation of the footpath was a linking the Esplanade and the Harbor- joint effort of the City of walk. The sites of the parks are reclaimed Boston, the federal govern- land formerly used for industrial and rail- ment, the Arboretum Conser- road purposes. The $80 million total cost vancy, and the MBTA. is funded by the CA/T Project. The parks will be owned, operated, and maintained New Arboretum footpath from Forest Hills Station

TRANSREPORT 3JULY 2002 MBTA “Customer Bill of Rights” Bringing Benefits ■ Mitigation Update cont. from p. 2 MBTA general manager Michael H. Mul- ever, by August 2003, the MBTA will hern. “Operations personnel have submit an environmental impact report received more than 14,500 comments, for Phase 2, which adds bus rapid transit questions, and suggestions.” routes and new intermodal connections at several commuter rail stations. Envi- In January 2001 the MBTA, in an effort Improvements the MBTA has made in ronmental review of Phase 3, which will to address repeated complaints about cus- response to the customer feedback add rail service in the segment of the tomer service and on-time performance, include: Urban Ring corridor with the highest launched its “Customer Bill of Rights” • Bus stop signs redesigned to include demand, will follow the completion of program. The T’s assessment of the pro- route and timetable information. the Phase 2 environmental process. gram to date is highly positive. • Dozens of bus schedule adjustments. The MBTA is also conducting a study to The two most prominent features of the •More frequent nighttime subway serv- site maintenance facilities to enable program have been a “Write to the Top” ice. more efficient bus system operations and campaign and a money-back guarantee of •Adjustments to commuter rail sched- accommodate an expanded bus fleet that on-time service. Under the money-back ules. would include Urban Ring vehicles. guarantee, customers can obtain a refund • Structural repairs to platforms and The MBTA is moving forward with the of their fare if their trip is delayed by 30 stairs. minutes or more. As of the beginning of restoration of light rail on the Arborway •Graffiti removal. June, the MBTA had refunded nearly Line, completion of which is scheduled half a million dollars. • Bike racks installed at stations. for 2006. They are also moving forward •More signs that help users navigate the with a study of a possible connection The “Write to the Top” campaign publi- system. between the Red Line and Blue Line. cized the telephone numbers and e-mail Considering the proposed Airport Inter- addresses of top MBTA officials and sen- To obtain a copy of the “Customer Bill of modal Transit Connector, the MPO has ior managers and encouraged riders to Rights” or more information on the pro- suggested, through its recently adopted communicate their concerns. “The gram, visit www.mbta.com/writetotop. Transportation Plan Update, that the response has been phenomenal,” said cfm. Red–Blue connection be studied further MBTA Celebrates Purchase of Ferry Fleet to determine if it has the same benefits as when the project was first suggested. As the kickoff to the fourth annual needed transportation alternative for Luisa Paiewonsky of the Massachusetts Water Transportation Awareness Week, South Shore commuters,” said Secretary Highway Department reported on the secretary of transportation and MBTA Scanlan. “I am proud of the many efforts travel time and air quality benefits of the chairman James H. Scanlan, MBTA gen- made in preserving such a vital mode of high-occupancy lanes on the Southeast eral manager Michael H. Mulhern, and transportation.” Expressway and I-93 North. other transportation officials gathered at “This is quite an achievement for the T,” Glen Tepke of the Massachusetts Tax- Long Wharf on June 18 to highlight the said General Manager Mulhern. “Our payers Foundation spoke of the impor- MBTA’s recent acquisition of Harbor commuter boat services were our best- tance of the MBTA’s focusing its Express. Harbor Express is a ferry service kept secret, but with Harbor Express resources on maintaining, enhancing, that had been operating under contract under the T umbrella, and the rollout of and modernizing the current transit sys- to the MBTA. The MBTA has not previ- an aggressive ad campaign, Sea Us Now, tem. In order to free up more funds for ously owned a ferry service. we hope folks abandon their vehicles for those purposes, the Taxpayers Founda- The MBTA made the purchase in order our catamarans.” tion feels that the commonwealth needs to maintain ferry service for South Shore Officials christened one of the two ferry- to step in and help in funding the expan- commuters. It acquired two 149-passen- boats, the “Flying Cloud.” Long Wharf is sion projects that are mitigation commit- ger catamarans and a parking facility at also the site of a Logan Water Shuttle the Fore River shipyard in Quincy. Ser- dock, and the event included a ribbon- vice runs from Quincy and Hull to Logan cutting ceremony, led by Massport CEO Airport and Long Wharf in Boston. The Craig P. Coy, unveiling improvements to the state to expand and upgrade the ferry carries approximately 1,000 com- that facility. “Water transportation is one water transportation dock at Logan, mak- muters each weekday. of the most convenient and most pleas- ing it more accessible for all travelers.” “With the support of the Swift Adminis- ant ways to get to Logan Airport,” said For more information on commuter boat tration, transportation officials, and the Mr. Coy. “We are pleased to announce services provided by the MBTA and pri- MBTA, we were able to maintain a well- the completion of our joint project with vate carriers, visit www.mbta.com.

TRANSREPORT 4JULY 2002 New Mortgage Program Gives Boost to Affordable Housing and Rewards Transit Users The newly established Take the T Home the amount by which the rate can or town where the home would be pur- Mortgage Program, which was unveiled increase after the fixed portion of the chased. In the greater Boston area, 135 May 13 at Shawmut Station on the loan is completed. percent of the median income is MBTA’s Red Line, both makes it easier Applicants must also prove that they are $100,170, while in the greater Worcester for regular MBTA users to purchase a regular and frequent T users. Any of the area, it is $78,840. home and supports efforts to reduce following is considered proof of sufficient While applicants do not need to be first- urban sprawl, traffic congestion, and air transit use: time home-buyers, they must have good pollution by credit, and their housing costs may not encouraging peo- •Presentation of 10 monthly be more than 38 percent of their total ple to use mass income. First-time home-buyers seeking transit. passes from the latest 12- 100 percent financing must also complete Made possible by month period. a home-buyer counseling course. a partnership •Verification by The program does not use any state or among the the prospective federal funding. “It will be a relatively MBTA, the homebuyer’s low cost to government but it will pro- Massachusetts employer that vide a leg up for many individuals or fam- Housing Finance the applicant ilies who have the dream of home owner- Agency (Mass- has been a par- ship but might not otherwise have the Housing), and ticipant in an means to achieve that goal,” said secre- 21 community employer-sponsored pass program for the tary of transportation James H. Scanlan. banks in the MBTA service area, the pro- past year. gram helps income-eligible people buy To obtain more information about the homes in close proximity to public trans- •Provision of a copy of an automobile program and a list of participating banks, portation with no down payment. Quali- insurance policy that shows a public call MassHousing at (877) 309-HOME or fied applicants may obtain an adjustable transportation discount. visit the Web site at www.masshousing. com. no-point mortgage that locks in an inter- The annual household income of the est rate below the current fixed rate for at applicants must be no more than 135 least five years. Interest rate caps restrict percent of the median income in the city Amtrak’s Downeaster Exceeding Expectations

Amtrak’s newest train service, the runs, café cars have to be restocked Officials now believe that those projec- Downeaster, attained its best-ever twice. tions will be surpassed, based on the monthly numbers in both passenger vol- Some analysts attribute the Downeaster’s April numbers. That month’s revenue ume and revenue during April. The serv- popularity to its offering motorists an brought the Downeaster’s cumulative ice, which runs between alternative that bypasses earnings to $1.77 million. Boston’s North Station weekend traffic delays Additional coaches will be added in and Portland, Maine, such as those associated response to the increased ridership. How- had 29,682 passen- with toll collection in ever, the opening of the seasonal Old gers and $443,077 New Hampshire and Orchard Beach Station was pushed from in sales. The Maine and with the early June to late June or early July. Downeaster began construction on the Amtrak officials have been following the operating in Decem- Maine Turnpike. The line’s success with close interest. Plans to ber of last year. fares have also been expand service to Brunswick and Lewis- pointed to as a draw. Travel Officials of the Northern ton/Auburn, Maine, are in the works. between Boston and Portland is $21 New England Passenger Rail Author- The Maine Department of Transporta- one-way or $35 for a same-day round- ity, which runs the service for Amtrak, tion is conducting environmental studies trip. For children ages two to 16, the fare attributed the ridership increase in part on the expansion. To obtain more infor- is halved. to April’s school vacation week. Never- mation on the Downeaster, visit theless, they were very surprised that The Downeaster was projected to bring www.thedowneaster.com. such a large jump occurred before the in $3.3 million in revenue and 325,000 summer season. The service was already passengers during its first year of service. proving popular before April. On some

TRANSREPORT 5JULY 2002 Comment Period Open on MEETING CALENDAR Logan Runway Final EIR The public is welcome to attend the following AT OTHER BOSTON-AREA LOCATIONS transportation-related meetings this month. A photo The Federal Aviation Administration has ID is usually required for access to meeting Monday, July 8 filed a Final Environmental Impact locations. MassHighway Public Hearing: 7:00 P.M. Proposed Commonwealth Avenue Statement with the U.S. Environmental AT THE STATE TRANSPORTATION Safety Improvements (from Kenmore BUILDING, 10 PARK PLAZA, Square to the BU Bridge, Boston) Protection Agency on the proposed con- BOSTON Kenmore Abbey struction of Runway 14/32 at Logan Air- Wednesday, July 10 490 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston Regional Transportation 3:00 P.M. port. The 30-day public comment period Monday, July 15 Advisory Council on the FEIS opened on June 28. The Conference Room 1 Chinatown Neighborhood 10:00 A.M. Thursday, July 11 Council FAA’s final ruling, which is expected to Boston MPO Transportation 10:00 A.M. Contact Bill Moy at (617) 951-6255 or allow the use of the new runway only Planning and Programming [email protected] for confirmation and Committee Work Session on Transportation location. when strong northeast winds cause Improvement Program Development Wednesday, July 17 MPO Conference Room, Suite 2150 delays, is anticipated by early August. To Boston MPO Environmental 10:00 A.M. Boston MPO Unified Planning 1:00 P.M. Justice Committee request a copy of the six-volume report Work Program Committee Career Center of Quincy on CD-ROM, go to, on the Massachu- MPO Conference Room, Suite 2150 1431 Hancock Street, Quincy MBTA Board of Directors 1:00 P.M. setts Port Authority Web site, www. Fenway Planning Task Force 6:30 P.M. Conference Room 2/3 massport.org/sitemap/sdeis_request.asp. Call (617) 222-5179 to confirm room Northeastern University location. Engineering Science Center Raytheon Amphitheater, First Floor Thursday, July 18 120 Forsyth Street, Boston Boston MPO Transportation 10:00 A.M. TRANSREPORT Planning and Programming Committee: Municipal Comments on PRODUCED BY THE CENTRAL TRANSPORTATION Proposed FY 2002–07 Transportation PLANNING STAFF Improvement Program Amendment MPO Conference Room, Suite 2150 Editors Copyediting Wednesday, July 24 Mary Ellen Sullivan Leland N. Morrison Access Advisory Committee 1:00 P.M. Jonathan Church Graphics to the MBTA (AACT) Contributors Kate Parker Conference Room 2 Anne McGahan, CTPS Photography Thursday, July 25 Pam Wolfe, CTPS Kenneth Dumas Boston MPO: Adoption of 9:30 A.M. Regional Transportation Advisory PUBLISHED BY THE BOSTON METROPOLITAN Council Bylaws PLANNING ORGANIZATION MPO Conference Room, Suite 2150 James H. Scanlan, Chairman Boston MPO Transportation 10:00 A.M. Dennis A. DiZoglio, Chairman; Barbara G. Lucas, Planning and Programming Vice Chairman; Transportation Planning and Committee: Vote to Circulate: Programming Committee •Draft Transportation Plan Addendum •Draft FY 2002–07 Transportation Meeting dates and times are subject to change: please TRANSREPORT is available in accessible formats Improvement Program Amendment call (617) 973-7119 for confirmation. Additional •Draft FY 2003 Unified Planning transportation meetings open to the public are listed to people with disabilities. Contact the Central Work Program on the Boston MPO Web site, at www.bostonmpo. Transportation Planning Staff Certification MPO Conference Room, Suite 2150 org. 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 to 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.