Urban Ring
The Urban Ring is a circumferential transit investment that will connect the “spokes” of our regional transit system. As currently defined, the ring includes phased improvements to the regional transportation system in a 15 mile long corridor connecting the South Boston Waterfront, portions of the South End and Roxbury to Columbia Point in Dorchester, the Fenway and Longwood Medical Area to Brookline, Allston, Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, Everett, Chelsea, and East Boston to Logan Airport.
The ring route connects existing transit, commuter rail, and bus lines with the intention of reducing travel time and congestion in the central subway system, connecting neighborhoods to strong job corridors, and linking emerging and existing centers of economic growth and development. The project also aims to increase transit mode share, reduce cross-town trip times, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and improve air quality.
Why it's important
The Urban Ring will enable growth and development in areas of Boston and the region that would otherwise be inhibited by congestion and a lack of mobility. This project will connect major centers of the life sciences industry and the academic community, leading sectors of the regional economy.
This graphic was taken from a Draft Environment Impact Report (DEIR) submitted by the MBTA in 2004.
Our role
In 2005, Partners HealthCare convened a group of institutional leaders to discuss the importance of the Urban Ring to the life sciences industry. ABC collaborated with Partners and established the Urban Ring Institutional and Business Committee. This committee, co-chaired by Tom Glynn of Partners HealthCare and Paul Levy of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, is developing strategies to support the Executive Office of Transportation in their efforts to advance this important project.
In addition to the work of this committee, ABC Planning Director Thomas Nally chairs the 30-member Citizens Advisory Committee for the Urban Ring. The CAC works closely with the EOT to support the completion of the environmental documents, identify a Locally Preferred Alternative and develop financing strategies to support the continuance of the project.What's new
The Urban Ring project has made tremendous strides over the last couple months. Governor Patrick recently signed the transportation bond bill, which included a line item for the Urban Ring, due in no small part to our Urban Ring Institutional & Business Committee members who sent critical letters of support. However the bill ended up being divided into two bills. Included in the first bill is $10 million for the Urban Ring. ABC is now looking ahead to the remaining $90 million in the second bond bill slated for later this summer, and we are partnering with MASCO and our Urban Ring Institutional & Business Committee, and meeting with House and Senate leadership in an effort to ensure its inclusion and passage.
Also, EOT recently shared updated ridership projections that indicate over 200,000 riders per day are expected to use some portion of the Urban Ring in the design year of 2030. Put in perspective, this projected ridership is roughly equivalent to today's Green Line ridership on all branches. So the new numbers are better than
expected and make a strong case for the Urban Ring. ABC is working diligently with the CAC, EOT and other partners to file a Revised Draft EIR/Draft EIS document and develop a Locally Preferred Alternative.
Urban Ring timeline
1972 - The Urban Ring concept first proposed in the Boston Transportation Planning Review.
1993 - The Boston Society of Architects convened a two day event that focused on "The New Urban Ring.”
1995 – A "compact" agreement was signed among six communities to ensure cooperation in planning within the Urban Ring corridor.
1996 - The MBTA initiated a Major Investment Study (MIS) for the Urban Ring and established a Working Committee to advise the planning process.
2001 - The MIS was completed.
2004 – Draft Environmental Impact Report issued.
2005 – ABC establishes Urban Ring Institutional & Business Committee.
2006 – The Citizens Advisory Committee reconvenes and work begins on a Revised DEIS/EIR.