Update: Ongoing Transportation & Infrastructure Projects
February 7, 2022
Written by Tom Nally, Senior Advisor
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE
ALLSTON I-90 MULTIMODAL PROJECT
A Notice of Project Change is about to be released this spring for public comment, to be followed by issuance of a MEPA Certificate that will include an updated scope of work for a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Report which will be prepared in coordination with a federal Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
In parallel, Final Design is scheduled to be completed in spring 2022 for the Viaduct Preservation Project, intended to ensure the safety of the current Turnpike viaduct until it is replaced by the At-Grade Multimodal Project. The Preservation Project is planned to be advertised for bids by early summer, with contractor mobilization on-site by the end of 2022.
SUMNER TUNNEL CENTENNIAL RESTORATION PROJECT
This Project will carry out major repairs of the century-old Sumner Tunnel that carries two lanes of traffic from East Boston to the North End, connecting to the northbound Central Artery, Leverett Circle, and Storrow Drive. The roadway deck will be replaced, walls of the under roadway supply air plenum will be repaired, the tunnel arch will be repaired, the ceiling will be replaced with new fireproofing on the ceiling and wall panels, lights will be replaced, and new fire alarm and protection systems, and CCTV systems will be installed. This work will be carried out with weekend closures from spring 2022 to spring 2023, full closure of the tunnel from May 2023 to September 2023, concluding with weekend closures in fall and winter 2023. Support and mitigation of traffic diversions are a significant part of this project.
SILVER LINE EXTENSION
Planning for the extension of the SL-3 Silver Line service to Chelsea has been underway since Alternatives Analysis began in 2020. This project follows the opening of Silver Line service to Chelsea in 2018 and related studies of bus service in Everett, the MBTA Focus 40 Study, MBTA Bus Network Redesign, and work of the Lower Mystic Regional Working Group in recent years. Currently, the project is completing an analysis of alternatives for service through Everett on several sets of routes including possible routes to Malden, Wellington, Sullivan Square, Lechmere, Kendall, and North Station. A public meeting on the results of this analysis is scheduled for this winter, with the completion of the final report in the spring.
A related project, the relocated Chelsea Commuter Rail Station, was opened on November 15, 2021. Any Silver Line Extension route will begin at the adjacent SL-3 bus station.
GREEN LINE EXTENSION
Currently, testing of Green Line operations on the branch to Union Square in Somerville is underway, with the opening of service to Union Square planned for March 2022 and service to Medford with five new stations beginning later in 2022. The first stage opening includes a new Lechmere Station and rebuilt viaduct between Science Park Station and Lechmere.
GREEN LINE TRANSFORMATION
Ongoing work continues replacing track and signals between Beaconsfield Station and Riverside, with bus replacement service operating at night. The Fenway Portal flood barrier has been completed and new stations on the B Branch at Babcock Street and Amory Street were opened in November 2021. Platform and accessibility improvements, including a plaza associated with the new Brookline High School building, have been opened at the Brookline Hills Station on the D Branch. Finally, test trains are operating on the reconstructed Lechmere Viaduct (part of the GLT work) in anticipation of its reopening in March.
NORTH WASHINGTON BRIDGE REPLACEMENT
The temporary bridge is scheduled to be in service until summer 2022 when the lanes on the east side of the new bridge are scheduled to be open. Construction of the lanes on the west side of the bridge will then begin, with the opening of the entire bridge scheduled for early 2023.
Land Use & Development
SUFFOLK DOWNS
Construction is underway on the planned 10.5 million square foot mixed-use development on the 161 acre site of the former Suffolk Downs race track in East Boston and Revere. Built around 40 acres of open space and designed to be resilient to respond to climate change and sea level rise, current plans call for 10,000 housing units (with 800 units affordable) along with a mix of retail, hotels, life sciences offices, and lab space, which I part of the initial phase of construction. The site is adjacent to two MBTA Blue Line stations and is located along the Route 1A corridor.
UNION SQUARE, SOMERVILLE
Several developments are planned or underway in Union Square in anticipation of the opening of a branch of the Green Line Extension, scheduled to be in operation in March 2022. The Boynton Yards site will accommodate 1.3 million square feet, including 350 residential units on 3.4 acres. The USQ development consists of multiple phases of development along Prospect Street.
SOUTH STATION AIR RIGHTS
Construction of this three phase project began in January 2020 and has continued as operations of South Station have been adjusted to the construction process. Currently, work continues building an extension of the bus terminal over the commuter rail platforms, and advancing construction of deep foundations for the mixed use tower in a work zone in the outdoor concourse area. The project has transitioned into Stage 2 leading to opening of the expanded bus terminal. Stage 3, projected for 2023 to 2025, will result in the completion of the mixed use tower. Future phases will include completion of a residential and/or hotel over the bus terminal expansion, followed in the last phase by completion of office space over the existing bus terminal. The total development will include 1.98 million square feet of mixed uses.
DORCHESTER AVENUE
The Boston Planning and Development Agency conducted a well-resourced, participatory planning process in 2015 and 2016 that resulted in completion of Plan: South Boston Dorchester Avenue in 2016. The plan provides a framework for future conversion of the area from a mixed use but largely industrial area, to a mixed use corridor with significant new housing and commercial development. The plan allows taller buildings, 12 to 16 million square feet of new development, with half of the development proposed for housing within the 144 acre planning area. The Boston Planning and Development Agency recently listed 17 Article 80 projects within the plan area on Dorchester Avenue, Old Colony Avenue, Dorchester Street, and several other local streets. In December, the Boston Globe noted approval by the BPDA Board of a mixed use project of 310 residential units, office or labs, and open space on a 5.4 acre site on Dorchester Avenue near the Old Colony Avenue intersection.
