TESTIMONY | I-90 Multimodal Project: JOINT MEETING OF THE MASSDOT FMCB
November 23, 2020
TESTIFIED BY TOM RYAN, Senior Advisor on Policy, Government & Community Affairs
Thank you to the MassDOT Board for hearing my comments regarding the I-90 Allston Multimodal Project today.
A Better City is extremely disappointed by MassDOT’s recent decision to delay the selection of the Preferred Alternative until summer 2021. With more than 90% of public comments received in favor of the Modified All At-Grade Option, the people have spoken—there is no need to delay or debate. At this critical juncture, we should be moving forward with the Modified All At-Grade design to tee up this transformative project for funding under the Biden Administration.
We do not support MassDOT’s renewed focus on the No Build Option and are extremely concerned that this protracted process is simply kicking the can to waste taxpayer dollars on a temporary repair of the Allston Viaduct. Repair of the existing viaduct would be all pain and no gain for commuters, visitors, and neighborhood residents alike—years of construction and congestion to repair a relic of the past.
Today, we reaffirm our support for the Modified All At-Grade option and we restate our opposition to the Modified Highway Viaduct, Soldiers Field Road Hybrid, and No Build Options. In my written comments, I’m enclosing a list of the dozens of major organizations, municipalities, and elected officials that share our perspective. After more than six years, support for the all at-grade design has never been stronger. This consensus is reflected in a full-page ad in today’s Boston Globe.
As you know, the I-90 Allston Multimodal Project is poised to shape our region for the next century—I implore MassDOT to seize this unparalleled opportunity to build a truly transformational project that will advance accessibility, equity, and sustainability for the city, the region, and the Commonwealth.
Thank you.
Widespread Support for the Modified All At-Grade Option
Dozens of business, environmental, transportation, elected, and community leaders support the Modified All At-Grade Option. Per public record, supporters include:
- Senator Ed Markey
- Representative Ayanna Pressley
- Boston Mayor Marty Walsh
- Boston Chief of Streets and BPDA Director
- Boston City Council
- Boston University
- Cambridge City Manager Louis DePasquale
- Cambridge City Council
- Town of Brookline
- 19 Boston and MetroWest-area legislators
- 11 Worcester-area legislators
- Broad-based coalition of nearly 30 organizations and community leaders
- 350 MA Transportation Working Group
- A Better City
- Allston Brighton CDC
- Allston Civic Association
- Allston Brighton Health Collaborative
- Boston Cyclists Union
- Boston Society of Landscape Architects
- Brookline GreenSpace Alliance
- Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association
- Cambridge Redevelopment Authority
- Charles River Conservancy
- Conservation Law Foundation
- Fresh Pond Residents Alliance
- Kendall Square Association
- LivableStreets Alliance
- Magazine Beach Partners
- Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Massachusetts Sierra Club
- MassBio
- MASSPIRG
- Pioneer Institute
- TransitMatters
- Transportation for Massachusetts
- WalkBoston
- Worcester Chamber of Commerce
- Harry Mattison, Allston resident and I-90 Task Force Member
- Jessica Robertson, Allston resident and I-90 Task Force Member
- Fred Yaloris, Cambridge resident and I-90 Task Force Member
