Action Alert: Allston I-90 Interchange Project

Written by Boston Biker on Nov 20

Lets make sure we don’t end up with just another highway, see below

From Livable Streets:
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We have a vision for something more than just a new highway. 
After months of MassDOT I-90 Allston Interchange task force meetings, a significant number of critical issues are still unresolved. We need you to tell MassDOT that their job is not yet finished. In the 21st century, this $260 million project has got to deliver more than just a rehabilitated highway.
 
Imagine what could be done with this space!
Imagine what could be done with this space!

Attend a public meeting tonight, or write a comment letter.

Public Meeting – Thurs. 11/20 @ 6pm. Brighton High School, 25 Warren Street, Brighton (more). beforehand, you can attend the site visit @3pm Beacon Park Yard Gate at the intersection of Cambridge Street and Lincoln Street (more).
Comment letter – Cut-and-paste using the template below to comment by e-mail. This is a powerful way you can participate in the public process. (Deadline Tuesday 11/25)
Current allocation of existing space.
Current allocation of existing space.

The trends are clear: people are relying less on private automobiles and more on public transportation, biking, and walking. This project must invest in a future that improves the quality of life in our city and provides commuters/visitors transit options, and not just throughput of cars.

LivableStreets is part of a coalition of community groups called “the People’s Pike.
What do we “The People’s Pike” want?
Do you want something like this? (From a Boston Society of Architects design charrette, team led by Kishore Varanasi from CBT Architects.)
Do you want something like this? (From a Boston Society of Architects design charrette, team led by Kishore Varanasi from CBT Architects.)
  • Acres of new parkland along the Charles River called “Allston Esplanade.”
  • A multi-use community path connecting Allston to Cambridge via the Grand Junction Rail Bridge crossing the Charles under the BU Bridge.
  • A new ‘West Station’ transit station that provides rapid transit service (every 10 minutes) to downtown & Kendall Square.
  • A deck over the highway and rail yard to cover these loud and dirty uses, protect residential quality of life and connect the existing and new neighborhoods.
  • Existing roads extended to connect Comm. Ave. and Cambridge St. to reducing cut-through traffic on Harvard Ave & Linden St.
  • New Mass Pike on & off ramps near Beacon Street to serve the Kenmore/ Fenway/ Longwood area to get those cars off Allston’s streets and Storrow Drive.
 

Cut and paste into your email

 

Dear Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett:

 

I am writing regarding the MassDOT’s Environmental Notification Form for the I-90 Allston Interchange Project #15278. In the 21st century, this project is not worth $260 million of taxpayer dollars if it is not going to do anything more than rehabilitate a highway. The trends are clear: we are relying less on private automobiles and more on public transportation, biking, and walking. This project must invest in a future that improves the quality of life in our city.

 

PERSONALIZE WITH A FEW SENTENCES HERE. What kind of future do you want to see? Which issues are most important to you and why? 

 

I urge you to require MassDOT include the following:

  • Acres of new parkland along the Charles River called “Allston Esplanade.”
  • A multi-use community path connecting Allston to Cambridge via the Grand Junction Rail Bridge crossing the Charles under the BU Bridge.
  • A new ‘West Station’ transit station that provides rapid transit service (every 10 minutes) to downtown & Kendall Square.
  • A deck over the highway and rail yard to cover these loud and dirty uses, protect residential quality of life and connect the existing and new neighborhoods.
  • Existing roads extended to connect Comm. Ave. and Cambridge St. to reducing cut-through traffic on Harvard Ave & Linden St.
  • New Mass Pike on & off ramps near Beacon Street to serve the Kenmore/ Fenway/ Longwood area to get those cars off Allston’s streets and Storrow Drive.

While I recognize the hard work MassDOT has put into designs so far, there are a significant number of critical issues unresolved. MassDOT needs to revise the project so it does more than just move automobiles.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Your Name 

Address


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