OCTOBER/NOVEMBER

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON REGION METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION YOUMOVE MASSA- CHUSETTS MPO Seeks Comment on Page 2 Proposed TIP Amendment FIELDS CORNER STA- The Boston Region highway projects included in (617) 973-7089 (TTY) TION REOPENS Metropolitan Planning the same element of the By fax Page 2 Organization future draft FFYs (617) 973-8855 (MPO) has 2009–2012 TIP, By e-mail AACT CELEBRATES 30TH which was proposed an [email protected] ANNIVERSARY approved in amendment to The comment period for the Page 3 June. It also the federal fiscal amendment will close on includes an update of MPO ACTIVITIES years (FFYs) 2009 Tuesday, October 21, at transit projects that Page 3 and 2010 elements of the 5:00 PM. 2007–2010 Transportation reflects their current status. STATE HOSTS FORUM Comments may be sent to Improvement Program (TIP) The draft TIP amendment is ON FINANCING the attention of David J. that will allow projects which available on the MPO’s web- Mohler, MPO Transportation Page 4 are ready to be advertised site, www.bostonmpo.org. To Planning and Programming for construction to move for- request a copy in print, on Committee Chair, via any of MEETING CALENDAR ward. compact disc, or in an acces- the means listed above. The MPO has notified mem- sible format, contact the For the most recent information on the following public meetings bers of the public, including MPO’s TIP Manager, Hayes and others that may have been TIP contacts and other local Morrison: MPO Begins scheduled after TRANSREPORT By mail went to press, go to www.boston officials in the 101 munici- New Fiscal mpo.org or call (617) 973-7119. palities in the Boston region, Boston Region MPO A photo ID is required to access most meeting sites. of the amendment. In the 10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150 Year; FFY amendment, as proposed, Boston, MA 02116 AT THE STATE the FFY 2009 element of the By telephone 2009 UPWP TRANSPORTATION BUILDING, 10 PARK current TIP reflects the (617) 973-7129 (voice) Available PLAZA, BOSTON October 16 (Thursday) Tentative A Strategic Transportation As the Boston Region MPO Boston Region MPO Transportation marked the beginning of a Planning and Programming new federal fiscal year on Committee. Conference Room 4. Plan for Massachusetts 10:00 AM October 1, MPO staff began YOU gather input about the role the work set forth in the October 20 (Monday) MOVE MASSACHU- SETTS PROGRAM that transportation plays in Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) Urban Ring Citizens Advisory Committee. Conference Rooms 2 ENGAGES THE PUBLIC the economic and social 2009 Unified Planning Work and 3. 4:00 PM vitality of the Common- Program (UPWP), which the In September the Executive October 22 (Wednesday) wealth. These views will con- MPO adopted in August. In Office of Transportation and Access Advisory Committee to the tribute to the state’s evalua- addition to providing sup- MBTA. Conference Room 4. Public Works (EOTPW) tion of its transportation net- port for the metropolitan 1:00 PM TO 3:30 PM began a series of public work, and input received transportation planning October 27 (Monday) workshops to engage from the public will be used process and completing stud- MBTA Rider Oversight Committee. Massachusetts residents, Conference Rooms 1, 2, and 3. to develop a strategic plan ies already underway, the businesses, and visitors in a 5:00 PM TO 7:00 PM for the transportation sector FFY 2009 UPWP contains October 28 (Tuesday) listening session designed to ● Strategic Plan cont. on p. 2 ● cont. on p. 4 State Freight and Rail Plan. UPWP Conference Rooms 2 and 3. The members of the Boston Region MPO: Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works, Cities of Boston, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM Newton, Salem, and Somerville, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Massachusetts Bay Calendar continued on p. 2 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, Towns of Bedford, Framingham, and Hopkinton Calendar cont. from p. 1 November 6 (Thursday) Boston Region MPO Transportation Planning and Programming Committee. Conference Room 4. 10:00 AM This meeting will be followed by ● Strategic Plan cont. from p. 1 the Safe, Accountable, solutions across modes, an MPO meeting. Flexible, Efficient including actions for main- November12 (Wednesday) and to set priorities for the Transportation Act: taining and expanding the state’s future transportation Regional Transportation Advisory A Legacy for Users system. Council Freight Committee. MPO investments. (SAFETEA-LU). Conference Room, Suite 2150. So far EOTPW has held 1:00 PM These discussions are occur- The ongoing workshops workshops in Barnstable, Regional Transportation Advisory ring at a time when decisions are intended to help the Boston, Braintree, Lawrence, Council.Conference Room 4. 3:00 PM about transportation invest- state’s transportation offi- Natick, North Adams, and ments are taking place in the cials better understand Taunton, Worcester, and AT OTHER BOSTON AREA LOCATIONS context of higher gas prices, where users of the trans- Malden (please see the calen- a heightened focus on the portation system notice dar for the date of final October 20 (Monday) structural integrity of the gaps in mobility and expe- meeting). Everyone interest- youMOVE MASSACHUSETTS transportation infrastruc- Workshop. Chicopee Public rience challenges when ed in the state’s transporta- Library, 449 Front Street, ture, transportation-related traveling. When consider- tion system is encouraged to Chicopee. 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM contributions to climate ing the mobility problems participate in the workshops. For more information about change, and a national youMOVE MASSACHUSSETTS that have been identified Please visit www.youmove Workshops and maps of their debate about the upcoming at the workshops, trans- massachusetts.org for more locations, go to www.youmove massachusetts.org. reauthorization of the feder- portation officials will be information. October 21 (Tuesday) al transportation legislation, evaluating all possible MassHighway Public Hearing: Reconstruction of Farm Road, Marlborough. Francis J. Kane Elementary School, 520 Farm Fields Corner Station Reopens with Road, Marlborough. 7:00 PM Accessibility Improvements October 29 (Wednesday) MassHighway Public Hearing: The Fields Corner Red Line Fields Corner Station is one funding for Savin Hill Proposed Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Phase 2A. Acton Town Hall, Room station in Dorchester has of four MBTA stations that Station (which was rebuilt, 204, 472 Main Street, Acton. reopened after a $30 million were identified for modern- and reopened in 2005) 7:00 PM overhaul that brought the ization through the Shawmut Station (which is 80-year-old transit station up Dorchester Red Line nearly complete), and Meetings sponsored by the Boston to modern accessibility stan- Rehabilitation project. The Ashmont Station (which is Region MPO are conducted in accessible locations, and materi- dards. The station is now state legislature appropriated scheduled for completion in als can be provided in accessible fully accessible and in com- $67 million in funding for 2009). formats and in languages other pliance with the Americans the Red Line program in than English. If you would like accessibility or language accom- with Disabilities Act of 1990. 1999. This program included modation, please contact the MPO at (617) 973-7100 (voice), The improvements include (617) 973-8855 (fax), (617) 973- a new busway, station lobby, 7089 (TTY), or e-mail public elevators, and escalators, as [email protected]. well as new platforms that can accommodate six-car train sets. The MBTA’s CharlieCard system is now operating at the station, and the station’s communication and security systems have been updated. New lighting, landscaping, and signage have also been added. Governor Deval Patrick, MBTA General Manager Daniel Grabauskas, and mural artist Daniel Fairclough at the reopening of Fields Corner Station

2 TRANSREPORT October/November 2008 www.bostonmpo.org Access Advisory Committee to the MBTA Celebrates 30 Years of Achievement The Access Advisory Kristen McCosh, Ms. AACT evolved to Committee to the Wheelchair America 2008, become an independent Massachusetts Bay and Ben Haynes, AACT advisory committee that Transportation Authority Chairman. works directly with the (AACT) will celebrate its MBTA to provide recom- AACT’s roots go back to thirtieth year of working to mendations for improv- 1975, when a group of advo- promote safe, efficient, and ing accessibility and for cates for transit accessibility accessible transportation on complying with the established the Special the MBTA system by hold- Americans with Needs Advisory Committee ing an anniversary celebra- Disabilities Act of 1990. (SNAC), a subcommittee of tion on the evening of Over the years, AACT the Boston Region MPO’s October 16, at the Holiday members have advocated Joint Regional Transpor- Inn in Brookline. for the expansion of the tation Committee (now the MBTA’s paratransit ser- Speaking at the event will Regional Transportation vice, THE RIDE, and for be Dan Grabauskas, current Advisory Council), to address Kristen McCosh, Ms. Wheelchair America accessibility improve- MBTA General Manager, the transportation needs of 2008, will be a speaker at AACT’s 30th- ments on the fixed-route anniversary event this month Robert Rizzo, Manager for people with disabilities and transit system. the MBTA Office for seniors. regarding paratransit ser- Transportation Access, Today AACT is a voting vice, as well as a voting mem- Since its inception, the Michael Mulhern, former member of the MBTA com- ber of the MPO’s Regional organization now known as MBTA General Manager, mittee that makes decisions ● AACT cont. on p. 4 Boston Region MPO Activities BOSTON REGION MPO ACTION ITEMS Since August, the Transportation Planning and Programming Committee has approved the following: the Federal Fiscal Year 2009 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), an amendment to the Federal Fiscal Year 2007–2010 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and an administrative modification to the TIP. In addition, the Committee approved three work programs to be carried out by MPO staff: Support to the Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line Small Starts Process, the Customer Satisfaction Review of the MBTA THE RIDE CharlieCard Pilot Program, and MBTA Bus Service Data Collection Phase VI. (See articles on page 1 related to the UPWP and TIP.) REGIONAL recognized as having demon- tion fits this description and access to the MBTA’s fixed- TRANSPORTATION strated strong interest in would like to be considered route services for individuals ADVISORY COUNCIL Advisory Council business, for membership, please call who are eligible for the UPDATE and a broad, regional per- John Hersey at (617) 973- MBTA’s paratransit service, spective on transportation 7144 or e-mail him at THE RIDE, and to invite The Regional Transpor- planning. Mr. Al-Khatib and [email protected], feedback from those users tation Advisory Council the other members thanked on the effectiveness of the spent much of its September ACCESS ADVISORY the outgoing chair, Kristina MBTA’s accessibility meeting planning ahead. It COMMITTEE TO THE Johnson, of the City of improvements. held its annual election of MBTA (AACT) UPDATE Quincy, for her ideas and officers and selected Malek THE RIDE has continued to energy as she led the At the September meeting, Al-Khatib, who represents see record increases in rider- Advisory Council through a Kathy Cox, Manager of the Boston Society of Civil ship. On September 17, THE productive past year. Fixed-Route Services at the RIDE had scheduled 6,369 Engineers on the Advisory MBTA’s Office of Systemwide The Advisory Council is also trips, the most ever sched- Council, as its chair for the Accessibility, provided an seeking to identify potential uled in one day. upcoming year, and Sue update on THE RIDE new member organizations McQuaid, the designee of CharlieCard Program. This or agencies with interests the Neponset Valley pilot program was instituted related to regional trans- Chamber of Commerce, as last January to provide free the vice chair. Both were portation. If your organiza-

www.bostonmpo.org TRANSREPORT October/November 2008 3 State Holds Forum on Financing the TRANSREPORT Future of Surface Transportation PUBLISHED BY THE BOSTON REGION METROPOLITAN Elected officials, national Work on the reauthorization Bernard Cohen, featured PLANNING ORGANIZATION leaders in the transportation has been underway at the keynote addresses by field, representatives from federal level for some Congressman Michael Bernard Cohen, MPO Chairman public and private organi- time, and draws on Capuano and State Senator zations, and other mem- the study recommen- Steven Baddour, and panelist David J. Mohler, Chair bers of the public dations of enti- and roundtable discussions Barbara G. Lucas, Vice Chair gathered at the ties such as regarding transportation Transportation Planning and State the National finance, policy goals, and Programming Committee Transportation Surface visions for the future of the Building in Boston Transportation state’s transportation system. EDITORS on October 8 to share Policy and Revenue Among the themes heard Mary Ellen Sullivan ideas about how to shape Study Commission, the throughout the day-long Maureen Kelly the next federal legislation Association of event were the need to that will replace the Safe, Metropolitan Planning streamline the process to CONTRIBUTORS Accountable, Flexible, Organizations, and the allow for speedier project Janie Guion Efficient Transportation Brookings Institution. delivery, and to establish Kate Fichter, EOTPW Equity Act: A Legacy for flexible, multimodal funding The conference, hosted by John Hersey Users (SAFETEA-LU). programs. Secretary of Transportation GRAPHICS ● UPWP cont. from p. 1 The adopted UPWP also Sullivan, at (617) 973-7100 MBTA Jane Gillis several new initiatives, includes a summary of com- (voice), (617) 973-7089 including some studies: the ments received during the (TTY), or mesullivan@ The MPO does not discriminate Route 126 Corridor, Oper- 30-day public review period bostonmpo.org (e-mail). on the basis of race, color, national origin, English profi- ational Improvements at and the MPO’s responses to ● AACT cont. from p. 3 ciency, income, religious creed, Congested and High-Crash them. It is available for view- ancestry, disability, age, gender, Locations, Inner Suburban ing at www.bostonmpo.org Transportation Advisory sexual orientation, or military by clicking on “UPWP” service. Any person who Mobility, and Arterial Traffic Council, which provides an believes herself/himself or any Signal Improvements and under the “Programs” sec- avenue for public involve- specific class of persons to have Coordination. Watch tion at the left side of the ment in the MPO’s planning been subjected to discrimina- MPO’s Web page. To request tion may file a written com- TRANSREPORT as the MPO processes. For more informa- plaint with the MPO. A com- gives the go-ahead for work a copy in print, on compact tion about the event, please plaint must be filed no later disc, or in an accessible for- contact Janie Guion at (617) than 30 calendar days after the to begin on these and other date on which the person projects over the course of mat, contact the UPWP 973-7505, or by e-mail at believes the discrimination FFY 2009. Project Manager, Mary Ellen [email protected]. occurred.

Boston Region Metropolitan Planning First Class Mail Organization U.S. Postage Paid State Transportation Building Boston, MA 10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150 Permit No. 52233 Boston, MA 02116

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 Editors, Boston Region MPO Staff, 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.