CrossRoads Initiative
Project Background
The Crossroads Initiative is an ambitious project, spearheaded by the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA), to redesign a dozen major streets in Downtown Boston which link neighborhoods on either side of the Rose Kennedy Greenway. By reshaping these streetscapes using the latest concepts in urban design, the project aims to connect parts of the city riven by the elevated Central Artery and better integrate the Greenway into the life of the city.
Broad Street is the first of the 12 streets to begin construction, to be followed by Causeway Street and Congress and Summer Streets, which are currently being designed.
Why It's Important
A Better City views the Crossroads Initiative, together with the flourishing of the Greenway and the redevelopment of the South Boston Waterfront, as completing the legacy of the Central Artery/Tunnel project. Together, these projects will help realize the vision of a revitalized and reconnected Downtown Boston, one of the original goals of the Big Dig.
ABC's Role
In 2005, ABC sponsored, in collaboration with the Crossroads Initiative, a South Boston Waterfront Gateways Study 
which examined four major boulevards in the neighborhood and proposed measures to better integrate them into the rest of the city. The study group worked closely with the Initiative "to identify the relevant issues and then craft a series of appropriate streetscape improvements."
As the Initiative has moved from planning into design and construction, ABC has led the participation among private businesses along the targeted streets. To this end, ABC has organized a Broad Street Abutters Working Groupto foster cooperation between the city and Broad Street property owners, managers and tenants. The Working Group reviewed and offered comments to the BRA on the Broad Street redesign. As construction has proceeded on Broad Street, ABC has helped the city communicate project updates, detours, and street and sidewalk closures to the abutters.
ABC has also formed abutters groups for the Causeway and Summer/Congress Street improvements, and will organize similar groups for the other targeted streets as the Crossroads Initiative progresses.
