JULY 2004 TRANSREPORT TRANSPORTATION NEWS FROM THE BOSTON REGION METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION

Planning for the DNC: Challenges and Solutions A World War on the use of airspace over the site and II “victory on water travel within Boston Harbor. Pase la voz!! Siguiendo con el compro- poster,” Since early March, security experts have miso que la MPO de la región de Boston prominent at been working with state planners and tiene al informar al mayor numero posi- train stations, consultants to schedule detours, restric- ble de personas, acerca de asuntos rela- proclaimed: tions, and closures of air, surface, subsur- cionados con el transporte que pudieran “Millions of face, and water travel modes extending afectarle y dar a conocer las oportu- troops are on from Braintree and Allston to Woburn nidades en todo lo relacionado con la the move . . . and Saugus. The restrictions, while tem- toma de decisiones, TRANSREPORT está is YOUR trip porary, are significant and numerous, and también disponible en Español. Si estu- necessary?” call upon government, business, and indi- viera interesado en pedir una subscription Sixty years later, planners, pundits, and viduals to completely rethink their travel a nuestro boletin, contacte Daniel Per- the public at large are asking the same choices. alta empleado de la MPO llamando al question as it pertains to the Democratic (671) 973-7116 o mandando un e-mail a National Convention (DNC), which will While the 190,000 vehicles that use I-93 [email protected]. be held at the FleetCenter between July north of the FleetCenter each weekday and the 24,000 weekday travelers going Además de poner a su disposición 26 and July 29. Unprecedented security to and from are the main TRANSREPORT traducido al Español, la constraints, coupled with the large num- focus of mitigation efforts, decreased MPO ha empezado recientemente a pub- bers of delegates, visitors, and members roadway and transit access, coupled with licar comunicados en prensa asi como of the press expected for the convention, increased transit demand, will impact all anuncios legales en dos periodicos de have created significant challenges for travel within the Route 128 area. comunidades Hispanas, El Mundo y la the transit and highway planning com- Semana, en ellos se informa a los lectores munities. ROAD TRAVEL PROHIBITIONS de reuniones publicas y de la disponibili- The DNC has been declared a National Security needs require that only author- dad de un traductor. Estar pendiente de Special Security Event (NSSE), entitling ized vehicles will have access to the roads los siguientes boletines de TRANS- it to federal assets that include the sup- and streets adjacent to the FleetCenter REPORT ya que la MPO esta realizando un port of the Department of Homeland while the convention is in progress. The esfuerzo para llegar a todas las personas Security (DHS), the U.S. Secret Service following roads will be closed between en todos los “rincones” de nuestra región, (USSS), The Federal Bureau of Investi- the hours of 4:00 P.M. and midnight from especialmente los que previamente no gations (FBI), and the U.S. Department July 26 to July 29: han sido incluidos lo suficiente. of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ■ DNC Travel Impacts cont. on p. 3 PASS THE WORD! Explosives (ATF). These federal security In keeping with the Boston Region agencies are working alongside state and INSIDE THIS ISSUE MPO’s commitment to inform as many local law enforcement entities to secure people as possible about transportation the event. One of the central security MPO activities ...... 2 issues that may affect them, and to let requirements, the need to monitor acti- Water transportation them know about opportunities to be vity within a 40-foot radius of the Fleet- awareness week ...... 2 involved in transportation decision-mak- Center, will essentially eliminate the use update ...... 4 ing, TRANSREPORT is now available in of I-93 from 4:00 P.M. to midnight and MBTA station openings Spanish. If you are interested in ordering will require the shutdown of North Sta- and improvements ...... 5 a Spanish subscription to our newsletter, tion during the week of the convention. Meeting calendar ...... 6 ■ Spanish Subscriptions cont. on p. 6 Security needs will also put constraints

The members of the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization: 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 MPO ACTIVITIES Sixth Annual Water Transportation Awareness BOSTON REGION METROPOLITAN PLANNING Week Celebrated ORGANIZATION ACTION ITEMS On June 10 state and local dignitaries On June 10, upon the recommendation of the Trans- joined Transportation Secretary Daniel portation Planning and Programming Committee and A. Grabauskas and MBTA General Man- following a 35-day public review period, the Boston ager Michael H. Mulhern to celebrate 28 Region MPO voted to approve an amendment to the FY 2004–08 Transportation years of MBTA commuter boat and inner Improvement Program (TIP) involving changes to the fiscal years 2004, 2005, and harbor ferry service. For the past six 2006 highway and transit elements and the fiscal year 2004 bridge program. The pro- years, the MBTA has organized a coali- posal changed the program year for several projects and added other projects not pre- tion of local businesses, state agencies, viously programmed. Cost adjustments were also recommended in the proposal for and private boat operators in a campaign other projects in all three fiscal years. The new projects are: to raise public awareness of the benefits • I-93/Route 125/Ballardvale Street in Wilmington ($4 million). and convenience of water transportation. • Route 1A/Route 121 (Wampum Corner) in Wrentham ($925,000). • Route 3A (Hancock Street)-Southern Artery in Quincy ($1.2 million) – This project replaces the original proposal that included the Route 1/Route 97 (High Street) project in Topsfield as it will not be ready this year. • Silver Line Phase III ($2.46 million federal earmark). • Auburndale Station Access Improvements ($368,000 federal earmark). • Malden Center Station ($2.2 million). • Improvements (funding to be identified). • Lawrence Intermodal Center ($3 million). To request a copy of the approved TIP Amendment, contact Sean Daly at (617) 973-7140 or [email protected]. The amendment is also available on the MPO’s Web site at www.bostonmpo.org. REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL UPDATE Promoting greater access to the water- Mariellen Burns, the Public Information Liaison for the Democratic National Con- front, MBTA officials worked with their vention (DNC) Planning Group of the Boston Police Department, met with the contractor, Harbor Express, to provide Council at their June meeting to update members on the transportation and security additional commuter boat service from preparations that are underway for the Democratic National Convention this month Quincy to Long Wharf, and to coordi- at Boston’s FleetCenter. nate a summer pilot program that pro- The July Council meeting will include updates on the development of the draft fiscal vides water transportation between Long year 2005 Unified Planning Work Program and fiscal years 2005–09 Transportation Wharf and Georges Island. In addition, Improvement Program. It will also feature a presentation on seaport development Island Alliance, a collaborative group policies and activities by Mr. Richard Armstrong, Director of Port Development and that supports the Boston Harbor Islands, Executive Secretary of the Governor’s Seaport Advisory Council. has erected the Boston Harbor Islands Water Transportation Informational ACCESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE MBTA (AACT) UPDATE Kiosk to provide visitors with brochures On June 4 MBTA officials and AACT members participated in a ceremony that about activities available for people inter- introduced the world’s first low-floor, electric trolley bus, which features passenger ested in touring the islands. doors on both sides. Each vehicles has automatic stop announcement equipment and an onboard, front-door ramp on the left side. The right-side door, which will be used Service to Georges Island includes three at the underground Harvard Square stop, is also accessible via a portable ramp stored round-trips per day, Monday through Fri- in the station. day, and four round-trips per day on Sat- urday and Sunday. From there a water Members also heard a presentation on the travel impacts of the Democratic National taxi is available for visiting the other Convention on people with disabilities. Trip times are expected to take much longer islands. Log onto www.mbta.com for than usual. Travel within the Bullfinch Triangle (Causeway, Canal, Friend, Lan- more information on trip times. caster, Medford, Portland, and Traverse Streets) will require advance notice during the day, and will be restricted due to roadway closures. When the roads are closed, THE RIDE will drop off customers at a security checkpoint on Merrimac Street.

TRANSREPORT 2JULY 2004 Travel Restricitons Set for Convention Week ■ DNC Travel Impacts cont. from p. 1 • Memorial Drive eastbound from the tions. All service will follow regular • I-93 from Exit 32 (Route 60) in Med- BU Bridge to the Leverett Connector. weekday schedules. The following is a list of commuter rail lines and the loca- ford to Exit 20 (I-90/Massachusetts • Storrow Drive eastbound from Western tions where their service will terminate Turnpike) in Boston. Northbound driv- Avenue to the Leverett Connector. during the convention: ers will be diverted to Frontage Road, • Msgr. O’Brien Highway (Route 28) • The Fitchburg/South Acton Line will the Turnpike, or the Ted Williams Tun- southbound at Land Boulevard. nel. terminate at the Porter Square Red Line station in Cambridge. • The will terminate at the Anderson Regional Transportation Center in Woburn. From there, passen- gers may board shuttle buses that will travel to via a reserved- vehicle lane. • The Haverhill/Reading Line will termi- nate at the Oak Grove Station in Malden, where passengers may connect to expanded Orange Line service. • The Newburyport/Rockport Line will terminate at Lynn Station, where pas- sengers may connect via shuttle bus either to South Station or to the Blue Line’s .

• I-93 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) TRANSIT TRAVEL PROHIBITIONS SUGGESTED TRAVEL STRATEGIES lanes north and south will be closed to • North Station will be closed from Fri- Strategies for avoiding or minimizing the HOV traffic. The I-93 HOV lanes will day, July 23, at 8:00 P.M., through Fri- impact of travel during the week of the accommodate emergency vehicles and day, July 30. No Amtrak, commuter DNC are as diverse as the location and predesignated MBTA buses. rail, Orange Line, or Green Line trains circumstances of the four million daily • The ramp from I-90/Massachusetts will stop at North Station during that trips that will be affected by it. They fall Turnpike to I-93 northbound. time. The MBTA will provide addi- into five categories and can be adapted • Route 1 from the Tobin Bridge to the tional service and alternate modes to by a significant percentage of the travel- I-93 merge in Charlestown. compensate for the closure of North ing public. Station. • The Sumner Tunnel will be closed. • Take Transit–The MBTA will be the • Lovejoy Wharf will be closed to all easiest way to get around the city. • Msgr. O’Brien Highway (Route 28) water traffic. Commuter boats serving Using the alternative connections southbound at Land Boulevard. Charlestown and East Boston will con- developed by the MBTA to compen- During the convention, Bullfinch Trian- nect via Long Wharf. sate for the closure of North Station is gle, the area between North Washington TRANSIT TRAVEL CONSTRAINTS the best way to reduce traffic conges- Street, Causeway Street, and Merrimac • Orange Line service will operate tion and ease traffic-related frustration, Street, will be open only to authorized throughout the convention; however, even though during the convention all vehicles, and truck deliveries to the no trains will stop at North Station. large parcels will be inspected and FleetCenter will be curtailed between there will be random inspections of 2:00 A.M. and noon. • Green Line service will end at Haymar- ket Station. Shuttle buses will connect briefcases and pocketbooks. The ROAD TRAVEL CONSTRAINTS Government Center with Science Park MBTA has published a booklet entitled Roadways that lead to highways that are and Lechmere Stations. “Taking the T during the DNC,” pro- closed during the convention will have viding information about stations • North Shore commuter rail service will signs stating that they are restricted to affected by the convention and about terminate near an alternate mode of local traffic. Constrained roads include, substitute services. In addition, MBTA transportation, either at an existing but are not limited to: system maps will be widely available, transit station or at a temporary stop signage will be improved, and there • I-93 northbound from the Route 3 split providing interim shuttle bus connec- in Braintree. ■ DNC Travel Impacts cont. on p. 4

TRANSREPORT 3JULY 2004 Recommended Travel Strategies for DNC Week ■ DNC Travel Impacts cont. from p. 3 Re-scheduling nonwork trips and using they will continue to use even after the will be a small army of “MBTA Ambas- “flex-time” for work trips are two com- convention is over. The following links sadors” deployed throughout the system mon options for avoiding the worst provide up-to-date information on DNC- to assist patrons during the week of the congestion periods. related closures and travel options: convention. They will be wearing yel- • Don’t go that way—Drivers should seek • www.mbta.com low shirts and blue caps and will be alternate routes, especially for longer • www.boston.com/news/politics/ connected via radio to the MBTA trips. For trips to and from areas north conventions/traffic/ Operations Control Center. of Boston, where congestion will be • www.boston04.com • Don’t go—While one need not stock up most prevalent, options include using I- on supplies and hunker down as if it 95 to bypass the were the Blizzard of ’78, there are city or to con- options such as taking time off from nect with the work or telecommuting by computer Massachusetts and phone. Turnpike and • Don’t go there—Both drivers and transit local roads. users should consider making trips to While getting alternate locations. Shopping and around the region recreational trips are well suited to during the last locations other than downtown Boston week of July will during the afternoon and evening be challenging for hours. Some downtown businesses are a lot of people, a already planning to temporarily relo- willingness to cate some of their operations to alter- explore different nate sites. options just may • Don’t go then—Drivers will feel the lead some people most significant impact of roadway clo- to discover a new sures between 4:00 P.M. and midnight. mode that that Amtrak Plans Downeaster Service Improvements; Maine Tourism to be Enhanced On June 2 Maine Governor John Bal- will further increase speed allowances rail system in Maine. The full focus of dacci announced that an agreement had and capacity. This $4.5 million improve- our efforts will now be on delivering the been reached with Guilford Transporta- ment will allow for the addition of a fifth best service we can to the passengers who tion Industries to permit Amtrak to daily round-trip between Boston enjoy and depend upon the Downeaster,” operate Downeaster trains and Portland by October 2005, said John Englert, Executive Director of between Boston and Portland and will further reduce the the Northern New England Passenger at speeds of up to 79 miles per total trip time from the cur- Rail Authority. hour. rent two hours and forty-five In related news, Maine’s Governor Bal- A $6 million two-phase program minutes to two hours and thirty dacci announced a pilot project for the of track improvements will support minutes. The additional train will summer of 2004 for operating excursion faster and additional Downeaster trains provide earlier morning Boston arrivals trains from Portland, Brunswick, and between Boston and Portland. In the first and additional afternoon rush-hour serv- Rockland along Guilford’s lines and the phase of the program, the Maine Depart- ice from Boston. In addition, Maine- Maine DOT’s Rockland Branch. The ment of Transportation (DOT) will bound passengers will arrive earlier and excursion trains will be operated by invest up to $1.5 million to upgrade depart later in the day, providing tourists Maine and will probably infrastructure in Kennebunk, Maine, and with more opportunities to participate in be used for festivals and special events in to perform other track work. As a result activities and to attend events. Rockland. Schedules and details regard- of these enhancments, overall travel “We appreciate the leadership of Gover- ing the excursion service are still being time between Boston and Portland will nor Baldacci and the support of Guilford developed. Stay tuned to TRANSREPORT be reduced by five to ten minutes begin- Rail, the Maine Department of Trans- for further updates. ning on August 1. portation, and Amtrak as we take this Completion of the second phase of the next step toward the continued growth program, scheduled to begin next spring, and development of a thriving passenger

TRANSREPORT 4JULY 2004 MBTA Opens New Airport Station and North Station; Interim Shuttle Service to Lechmere Begins Airport Station with adjacent luggage slides, and wider North Station. Normal Green Line serv- escalators and elevators. It also has longer On June 3 Governor Mitt Romney, Sen- ice to Lechmere and Science Park Sta- platforms to accommodate six-car train ate President Robert Travaglini, Trans- tions is expected to resume in the sum- sets, which will begin service next year. portation Secretary Daniel A. mer of 2005. Grabauskas, and MBTA General Man- The opening is another major milestone Interim Green Line Shuttle Service in the MBTA’s $740 million effort to ager Michael Mulhern officially opened In an effort to ensure a smooth transition modernize the entire Blue Line with new from the subway to the bus, the MBTA stations and a fleet of 94 new subway has provided the following information: cars. • The shuttle bus stops at Lechmere, Sci- North Station ence Museum, Charles River Park, The North Station underground “super North Station, Haymarket, and Gov- station” officially opened on June 19, ernment Center. making the connection between the • Science Park Station is represented by Green Line and the Orange Line much two bus stops—Science Museum and easier. The shifting of Green Line Charles River Park. inbound service from street-level to an • The shuttle has a standard subway fare underground platform located opposite the MBTA’s new Blue Line Airport Sta- ($1.25, one token, or a subway pass) the Orange Line platform provides pas- tion, creating a state-of-the-art gateway and there is a free transfer to and from sengers with a streamlined transfer for visitors and Massachusetts residents the subway. Bus passes are not between the two lines. In addition, by who fly into and out of Logan Interna- accepted, since the shuttle is part of this fall an underground walkway will tional Airport. subway service. open that will allow passengers to cross • Shuttle service will mirror subway serv- The MBTA began construction on the under Causeway Street to commuter rail ice and operate just as often. $23 million project in April of 2000. The trains and Amtrak service without hav- • The shuttle will be accessible to per- new station, located approximately 500 ing to contend with traffic and inclement sons with disabilities. feet east of the former station, was built weather. in coordination with the Massachusetts • Transfers to and from the subway will The next milestone for the project Port Authority and the Central Artery be available at Government Center, requires the replacement of Green Line project, both of which have nearby con- Haymarket, and North Station. Gov- service at Lechmere and Science Park struction projects. ernment Center is the best place to Stations with shuttle service for one year. transfer to or from the Green Line. The new facility is decorated with porce- The shuttle service, which began on June Haymarket is the best place to transfer lain enamel panels depicting historic 25, will allow work crews to construct a for Green Line riders who are unable to local images. New features include moni- new trestle behind the FleetCenter from use stairs, and it’s the best place for tors with flight information and, to the “super station” to Science Park Sta- Orange Line riders to transfer. Transfer accommodate passengers with luggage tion. During this one-year period, Green tickets will be available in stations and and people with disabilities, turnstiles Line service will operate only as far as from bus operators.

MBTA Board Approves Improvements for Gloucester and Walpole Stations On June 3 the MBTA Board of Directors approximately 100 new parking spaces approved funding for the rehabilitation of adjacent to Railroad Avenue and the the Walpole and Gloucester commuter upgrade of LED (light emitting diode) rail stations. The $1.4 million Walpole signage to indicate when the next train- Station project will increase parking will arrive. Additional amenities will capcity from 326 to 526 vehicles and will include: new lighting and signage, side- provide new lighting, landscaping, and walk and landscaping improvements, and accessibility improvements. Work is enhanced vehicular and pedestrian access slated for completion in nine months. to the station. The $3.7 million Gloucester Station project will allow for the construction of Gloucester commuter rail station

TRANSREPORT 5JULY 2004 ■ Spanish Subscriptions cont. from p. 1 MEETING CALENDAR contact Daniel Peralta of the MPO staff at [email protected] or at (617) The public is welcome to attend the following AT OTHER BOSTON-AREA LOCATIONS transportation-related meetings. A photo ID is 973-7116. usually required for access to meeting sites. Tuesday, July 13 Design Meeting: Leverett Circle 4:30 P.M. In addition to making TRANSREPORT AT THE STATE TRANSPORTATION BUILDING, Pedestrian Crossing Options 10 PARK PLAZA, BOSTON Museum of Science, Skyline Room. available in Spanish, the MPO has Thursday, July 1 O’Brien Highway, Boston recently begun issuing Spanish press Check in at a special registration table in the Boston Region MPO 10:00 A.M. lobby for a visitor badge and parking valida- releases and legal notices to two Spanish- Transportation Planning and tion. Programming Committee Meeting community newspapers, El Mundo and followed by Wednesday, July 14 La Semana, informing readers of its pub- Boston Region MPO Unified Planning MBTA Public Hearing: 7:00 P.M. Work Program Committee Meeting Silver Line Environmental Review lic meetings and the availability of an CTPS Conference Room, Suite 2150 Renaissance School interpreter for them. Watch for further 50 Stuart Street, Boston Wednesday, July 14 Fully accessible to persons with disabilities. (If announcements as the MPO expands its Regional Transportation 3:00 P.M. assistive listening devices or interpreters are Advisory Council needed, please call to request them at (617) efforts to reach persons in all corners of Conference Rooms 2 and 3 222-3126 no later than Friday, July 9. our region, especially those who have Thursday, July 15 been previously underserved. Boston Region MPO 10:00 A.M. Transportation Planning and Meeting dates and times are subject to change: please Programming Committee Meeting call (617) 973-7119 for confirmation. Additional TRANSREPORT CTPS Conference Room, Suite 2150 transportation meetings open to the public are listed on the Boston Region MPO Web site, at www.boston PRODUCED BY THE CENTRAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING STAFF MBTA Public Hearing: Copley 4:00 P.M. mpo.org. Station Light Rail Accessibility Editors Graphics Program Mary Ellen Sullivan Kenneth A. Dumas Conference Room 4 Sean Daly Kate Parker Fully accessible to persons with disabilities. (If assistive listening devices or interpreters are Photography Contributors needed, please call to request them at (617) Carol Gautreau Bent Jonathan Church 222-3123 no later than Friday, July 9. Kenneth A. Dumas William Moore Monday, July 19 Copyediting (English) Thomas Nixon MBTA Rider Oversight 6:00 P.M. Kate Wall Daniel Peralta Committee Conference Rooms 1, 2, and 3 PUBLISHED BY THE BOSTON REGION METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION Wednesday, July 28 Daniel A. Grabauskas, MPO Chairman Access Advisory Committee 1:00 P.M. Dennis A. DiZoglio, Chair, and Barbara G. Lucas, to the MBTA (AACT) Vice Chair, Transportation Planning and Conference Room 2 and 3 Programming Committee Call (617) 222-5179 for date MBTA Board of Directors 1:00 P.M. TRANSREPORT is available in accessible formats Conference Room 2 and 3 to people with disabilities. Contact the Central Transportation Planning Staff Certification 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 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 Federal Transit Administration.