Wednesday, February 13, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Tufts Cafeteria, 2nd floor, TAB Building, 167 Holland St., Tufts University, (five blocks
from Davis Square Red Line station, or by #87 or #88 bus).
Co-sponsored by the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee, the American Counsel of
Engineering Consultants, and the City of Somerville.
What will happen at this event?
There will be a short plenary session followed by informal small group discussions. MPO
personnel will be on hand to lead the discussions, answer questions, and receive feedback.
Why does it matter?
Somerville is the most densely populated in New England, with almost 20,000 people per
square mile. Yet it is among the least well served by public transportation in metropolitan
Boston, with its single MBTA stop in Davis Square.
How can I review the present plans?
The two draft documents are on the MPO Website, at www.ctps.org. Click on the "What's
New" button. There are also hard copies available in the public libraries, and the plans may
be had on tape and on CD-ROM. To request copies in the format of your choice, contact the
Central Transportation Planning Staff at (617) 973-7100 or public information@ctps.org.
What construction projects are present planned?
The draft Update includes revisions to previously developed regional transportation policies,
and sets forth a 25-year program of 45 highway projects totaling $1.5 billion, and 11 transit
projects totaling $1.87 billion. Projects included in the plan which are of particular
importance to Somerville are:
(1) An Orange Line T-stop at Assembly Square.
Although our professional planners agree that this project is vital to development of
Assembly Square, the current plan postpones this project indefinitely and budgets only $5
million as a "place holder" for a project estimated to cost $30-$50 million.
(2) Green Line Extension from Cambridge (Lechmere) to Medford.
This project was first recommended by the MBTA's predecessor, the MTA, in 1962.
Subsequent studies, by the Boston Transportation Planning Review (BTPR) in 1973, and by
the MBTA in 1984, recommended construction of this transit improvement. In the 90s, this
project was put on the schedule of "transit mitigations" required to be including by the
federal government as a condition of its Funding the Central Artery Project. It continues to
slip back in the state's schedule.
Two proposed routes are under discussion. One would use the Lowell right of way and
bypass Union Square. The other would use the Fitchburg Line into and through Union
Square and require tunneling under Spring Hill to connect the Union Square portion of the
track with the Lowell Line into Medford Hillside.
(3) Highway improvements on I-93 and the McGrath Highway.
The plans currently under discussion focus on McGrath (Rte. 28). McGrath is currently
operating at nearly peak capacity, yet pending development proposals in Somerville and
environs would than double traffic volumes. The federal government already considers that
Somerville has a significant air quality problem.
Wise planning for McGrath will require a comprehensive approach developed in cooperation
with surrounding communities.
Implications of whatever plan is adopted
The Regional Transportation Plan, especially in its provisions for mass transit, will determine
Somerville's capacity for economic development, our air quality, and the livability of our
city. Come and make your voice heard!
What if I have opinions, but can't get to the workshop?
The public comment period closes at 5:00 PM Thursday, February 28th on the Draft Plan
and at 5:00 PM Monday March 11th on the Draft Public Involvement Program. Written
comments may be sent to CTPS, 10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150, Boston, MA 02116, Attn: Anne
McGahan, or to publicinformation@ctps.org. Written comments must be received by the
specified closing date to be included in the final documents.
If you have any questions, contact Pam Wolfe at the MPO Activities Group at CTPS, (617)
973-7141 or by E-mail at pamwolfe@ctps.org.
What is this MPO, anyway?
It is the federally-mandated regional transportation agency by which all federally-funded
transportation projects must be reviewed, approved, and prioritized. It also has a federally-mandated responsibility to solicit and incorporate public input. Its members are: the
commonwealth's Executive Office of Transportation and Construction (EOTC) and Highway
Department (Mass. Highway); the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Transit
Administration; the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), the Massachusetts
Bay Transportation Advisory Board (MBTA Advisory Board), the Massachusetts Port
Authority (Massport), and the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority; the Metropolitan Area
Planning Council (MAPC), and the Regional Transportation Advisory Council; the cities of
Boston, Everett, Newton, and Peabody; and the towns of Bedford, Framingham, and
Hopkinton.
copyright 2002 Denise Provost
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