Senator Brownsberger, along with Senator DiDomenico, Representatives Decker, Honan, Livingstone, Moran, Smizik and Councillor Ciommo submitted a comment letter on the I90 Allston Interchange Improvement Project Environmental Notification Form to EOEEA Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett.
Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
100 Cambridge St., Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114November 18, 2014
Dear Secretary Vallely Bartlett,
We are writing in response to the Allston I-90 Viaduct Improvement Project Environmental Notification Form (ENF.) We believe this project will benefit Turnpike users and provide significant improvements to the surrounding neighborhoods and to the region.
The core of the project, the reconstruction of the I-90 viaduct, is necessary. The viaduct is deteriorating and nearing the end of its useful life. The reconfiguration of the viaduct provides the opportunity to straighten the highway, install all electronic tolling and decrease congestion along the mainline of the Turnpike. The reconstruction of the interchange will open up a significant amount of land to development, provide opportunities to improve regional connectivity and encourage mode shift. To maximize project benefits, we recommend further consideration of the following components:
- The conversion of the former Beacon Park Yards (BPY) site into an MBTA commuter rail layover facility and the proposed MBTA West Station should be reviewed as part of the draft environmental impact report (DEIR.) Noise and vibration impacts and mitigation for the neighborhoods adjacent to the rail yards and station need to be considered. West Station should have robust pedestrian, bike and public transit connection. To encourage mode shift, a location that maximizes connectivity should be selected. Future connections to the north and east may use the Grand Junction Railroad and the BU Bridge and both should be analyzed in the DEIR.
- Improved pedestrian and cyclist and connections are a very important component of the project. The highway and BPY have prevented Allston and North Allston from connecting to each other, the river and the region. Multiple new pedestrian and cyclist connections should be evaluated in the DEIR: north-south, across the highway, connecting North Allston to Allston; east-west connecting the Allston to the river; and a multi-use path through the new development area should connect Allston, West Station, North Allston and the river.
- Moving Soldiers Field Road away from the river to reclaim green space is an important outcome for local residents. Exploration of different scenarios that maximize usable green space along the river should be studied in the DEIR. The expansion of parkland along the river is also needed to facilitate connections from the neighborhood to the river. Getting bikes and pedestrians across Soldiers Field Road will require more land area on the river side to accommodate the footprint of any new pedestrian bridge. The DEIR study area should include the Charles River to assess the water quality impacts of the project.
It is our hope that the net environmental impacts of this project are positive and that many of the potential benefits of this project are realized.
Sincerely,
Senator William N. Brownsberger
Second Suffolk and MiddlesexSenator Sal N. DiDomenico
Middlesex and SuffolkRepresentative Marjorie C. Decker
25th MiddlesexRepresentative Kevin G. Honan
17th SuffolkRepresentative Jay Livingstone
8th SuffolkRepresentative Michael J. Moran
18th SuffolkRepresentative Frank I. Smizik
15th NorfolkCouncilor Mark Ciommo
Boston City Council, District 9
View a copy of the letter here.
Andrew Bettinelli
Legislative Aide
Office of State Senator William N. Brownsberger
Thank you
My Major comment is that the project is an improvement. However it looks like it ignores Memorial drive intersections at Cambridge Street and River Street which are becoming increasingly congested. They are causing backups across the river on the Boston side of the river. These intersections are joined at the hip with Cambridge Street and Soldiers Field Road and need to be included in the plan. Fixing the Boston Side of the river without also dealing with the Cambridge Side is a mistake.
I kind of think treating Memorial Drive / Soldiers Field Surface road as a rotary would work. Between Cambridge Street and River St. as a one way West on Memorial Dr. and requiring all east bound memorial Drive traffic to cross the river to continue East. And all traffic East would have to go between River Street and Cambridge St. on the Boston Side of the river. The surface road along side of Soldiers field road West could be closed. West bound exiting Traffic from Soldiers Field Road would be required to North to Cambridge, and then could go around the rotary to get to allston/brighton. This should simplify the traffic flows, allowing better Traffic Light timing, and improved traffic flow.
Point well taken about the larger system. Interesting concept about the rotary. Will pass that on.
Good letter! you might also note that expanded greenspace along the Charles could help mitigate flooding as storms increase in intensity.
best