| 5/12/15 | Somerville resident | Joel Weber II | Request | Mr. Weber requests that the MPO explore the feasibility of: 1. Constructing a trail along the Franklin Line to connect the Southern New England Trunkline Trail to Readville. 2. Constructing a shared use trail for bicyclists and pedestrians and a busway to provide faster service to the route 32 bus along the Forest Hills to Readville corridor. He suggests exploring whether a deck carrying both the busway and the shared use trail could be constructed above the tracks used for commuter rail and Amtrak service, where adjacent land is unavailable. The shared use trail could be routed through the park in areas where adjacent parkland is available, or on vacant land if existing businesses are relocated. He also suggests exploring extending a busway south of Readville along the Franklin Line to where the Franklin Line Tracks intersect bus Route 34E. Mr. Weber also requests that the Boston MPO program funding to complete the construction of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail. He also wonders whether it would be feasible to build a rail trail along the route of the Old Colony Railroad's former Wrentham Branch, which connected Walpole Junction to North Attleboro. |
The MPO appreciates Mr. Weber's suggestions for improving bicycle connections and bus mobility along the Franklin Line and in the Forest Hills to Readville corridor, and his suggestions regarding the possibility of a creating trail along the route of the Old Colony Railroad’s former Wrentham branch. The MPO will consider the suggestions for new bicycle connections as part of its bicycle and pedestrian planning activities and will forward these suggestions to MassDOT staff who work on bicycle and pedestrian planning. The MPO will forward Mr. Weber's suggestions for a busway along the Forest Hills to Readville corridor to MassDOT and the MBTA to inform the development of the MBTA's next Program for Mass Transportation (PMT). The MPO will also consider opportunities to fund projects to complete the Southern New England Trunkline Trail as new projects along the trail are proposed in the Boston Region. In order for a project to be considered for construction funding through the TIP, a project proponent would first need to initiate the project through the MassDOT Highway Division. Then, the project could begin the design process and request funding in the TIP. |
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| 5/13/15 | Medical Academic and Scientific Community Organization (MASCO) | Sarah Hamilton, Vice President | Request | MASCO requests that a study of the operational feasibility of a new combined MBTA CT2/CT3 bus route be included in the MPO's FFY 2016 UPWP. They request that this operational study for a combined CT2/CT3 service at increased headways also evaluate the proposed service at the highest frequency possible without the purchase of any new buses. In support of this study proposal, MASCO notes: > Patients, visitors, students, and employees traveling to the Longwood Medical and Academic Area (LMA) neighborhood of Boston each day, including employees living in communities served by existing CT routes, must rely on multiple modes of transportation to complete their trips. > A preliminary analysis funded by MASCO and completed by CTPS in 2013 showed that combining the MBTA CT2 and CT3 routes into a single route has the potential to address several of the needs identified in the Boston Region (LRTP) draft regionwide needs assessment, most notably that there are opportunities to establish additional crosstown routes to provide quicker and more direct connections for crosstown travel. The proposed combined CT2/CT3 route would add more direct connections through a series of route alterations (using the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge instead of the BU Bridge and Binney Street and First Street in Cambridge) and extending the route terminus from Andrew Station to JFK/UMass station. The CTPS analysis showed that when these route alterations are combined with increased service frequency to 10-minute headways, transit boardings in the corridor would increase by more than 13 percent by 2035. Because of this, the service would have the added benefit of reducing the overcrowding in the central MBTA system which includes the Green Line's central subway and the Orange Line between North Station and Downtown Crossing, which have both been identified as at or overcapacity in the LRTP's needs assessment. CTPS's study concluded that because of its promise, this service would warrant additional evaluation by the State as a next step. |
The MPO appreciates MASCO's suggestion for a study of the operational feasibility of a combined MBTA CT2/CT3 bus route. MPO staff will consult with MBTA Service Planning staff on MASCO’s comments and will consider these comments as part of MPO transit planning activities. |
| 6/10/15 | Somerville resident | Joel Weber II | Request | Mr. Weber requests that the MPO include a study of a shared use trail that would connect the Northern Strand Community Trail, Gateway Center, the Wynn property, the bike path along with Somerville side of the Mystic River and Assembly Square Orange Line Station, largely via a bridge crossing the Mystic River, Haverhill Commuter Rail Line, and the Orange Line. He suggests that it would be worthwhile to explore the feasibility of connecting this proposed shared-use trail to the proposed Rutherford Avenue bike path, and/or to the Sullivan Square Orange Line station, the Zero New Washington Dog Park, and the Somerville Community Path. As part of this request, he suggests: > Including a new Mystic River bridge crossing between the Amelia Earhart Dam and the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail bridge. > Continuing the path between the Gateway Center and the Newburyport/Rockport tracks to connect with the Northern Strand Community Trail. > Exploring whether, in the vicinity of Gateway Center, the path could be constructed on Newburyport/Rockport right-of-way (ROW) and/or on Gateway Center property. > Exploring current uses of the track under Revere Beach Parkway and whether that can be reconfigured so that the western portion of that railroad corridor would be available for a shared-use trail extending the Northern Strand Community Trail to the Gateway Center. > Providing a ramp from the bridge crossing to the bicycle path along the Mystic River, and providing a connection to the Orange Line platform at Assembly Square, along with adjacent Assembly Square buildings. > Explore continuing the path south from Assembly Square toward Mystic Avenue along the Orange Line ROW. > Minimize road and driveway crossings and new bridges to accommodate cyclists continuing the Rutherford Avenue path by having the shared use trail cross underneath the Mystic Avenue bridge, and then continuing the path along the southern edge of Mystic Avenue / Main Street toward the Sullivan Square intersection. > Using the railroad ROW to the west of the Orange Line in the vicinity of the Mystic River bridge to build a combined sewer overflow storage tank, as part of methods to reducing excessive vertical clearance and elevation change for the trail. > Reconfiguring industrial uses south of the intersection of New Washington Street and Inner Belt road to free up ROW for the trail. > Explore the feasibility of constructing a ramp/bridge near the Zero New Washington Dog Park to connect with the Somerville Community Path viaduct. |
The MPO appreciates Mr. Weber's suggestions for a shared use trail that would connect the Northern Strand Community Trail, Gateway Center, the Wynn property, the bike path along the Somerville side of the Mystic River and Assembly Square Orange Line Station. The MPO will consider the suggestions for new bicycle connections as part of its bicycle and pedestrian planning activities. The MPO also will forward these suggestions for bicycle network connections to MassDOT staff who work on bicycle and pedestrian planning. |
| 6/11/15 | Regional Transportation Advisory Council | Mike Gowing, Chairman | Support | The Advisory Council notes that the proposed FFY 2016 UPWP includes a good mix of projects that should provide useful planning support to the region. Members welcome the consideration of noise pollution in corridor and environmental justice studies. The Advisory Council suggests that it may be useful for the MPO to document the results of past UPWP projects to ensure that the studies selected for funding through the UPWP are having a meaningful impact on transportation outcomes in the Boston Region. |
The MPO appreciates the Advisory Council's support for the projects in the FFY 2016 UPWP. MPO staff will consider noise pollution factors in its corridor and other studies where feasible and appropriate. The implementation and impact of UPWP studies are important to the MPO and MPO staff, who periodically review the status of recommendations from past UPWP studies. The MPO will explore ways to collect information about study outcomes on an ongoing basis and to make that information available to the MPO and others in the future. |
| 6/25/15 | N/A | Frank Camarda | Request | Mr. Camarda suggests collaboration between MBTA Commuter Rail and Boston-area cultural institutions. These cultural institutions could provide funding support for MBTA Commuter Rail service, and the MBTA could sell tickets for cultural events to run cultural excursions via commuter rail. This partnership would allow visitors to enjoy Boston's cultural sites car-free. | The MPO appreciates this suggestion and will relay it to the MBTA for consideratio |
| 7/24/15 | North Suburban Planning Council | Kristen Krassner, Co-Chair | Request | The North Suburban Planning Council supports the MPO's decision to shift the majority of funding away from larger projects to fund smaller local projects, and requests that the MPO fund some portion of the I-93/I-95 Interchange in Woburn, Reading, Stoneham, and Wakefield, or feasible transit improvements in the area. As part of these comments, the North Suburban Planning Council requests that studies be pursued to identify feasible alternatives for public transportation that can serve the region, support the economy, and reduce the congestion and safety issues as the I-95/I-93 interchange. |
When developing future UPWPs, the Boston Region MPO will consider opportunities to study public transportation alternatives that will serve the communities near the I-93/I-95 interchange. The MPO encourages the North Suburban Planning Council and its member communities to suggest needs and concepts for further study. |
| 7/24/15 | N/A | Lenard Diggins | Support | Mr. Diggins expressed support for the Research Topics Generated by MPO Staff project (20090) and thinks that it would contribute to positive morale by allowing staff to pursue their interests. He encourages the MPO to reach out to the MBTA Rider Oversight Committee, of which he is a member, as a source of ideas or feedback. He said that the First-Mile-and-Last-Mile Transit Connections Studies project (11399) is very important for those who don't want to own a car but also want to pursue job opportunities in suburban areas where transit is less available. He encouraged the MPO to explore how congestion tolling during rush hours could help reduce bus delays as part of the Identifying Opportunities to Alleviate Bus Delays project (11400). He expressed support for the Pedestrian Level-of-Service Metric Development project (13273). He suggested that the MPO look at busy intersections where bike paths, roads, and pedestrian walkways intersect. He also suggested that the MPO consider studying how to modify sidewalks so that bikers and walkers can share them more safety, because as more people use bicycles, they are going to use the sidewalks. For the Addressing Safety, Mobility, and Access on Subregional Priority Roadways: FFY 2016 project (13270), he suggested that the MPO explore placement of bus stops that not only benefits the safety and convenience of the bus riders but also keeps automobile traffic flowing as smoothly as possible. He said that bus riders do not benefit if they are on buses contributing to traffic delays. |
The MPO appreciates Mr. Diggins' support and suggestions for these FFY 2016 UPWP projects. MPO staff will consider these suggestions when conducting the studies mentioned and when developing future UPWPs. |
| 7/24/15 | Somerville resident | Joel Weber II | Request | Mr. Weber wonders if MassDOT, the MBTA, and the MPO have explored opportunities to adjust pricing to better distribute vehicles to adjacent parking facilities with available capacity. He suggests taking a more general look at where it may be appropriate to reduce parking rates and/or commuter rail fares to support better use of parking facilities and reduce highway usage. |
The MPO appreciates Mr. Weber's suggestion to explore ways to adjust pricing to optimize the use of parking capacity and will consider opportunities to explore this issue. |
| 7/24/15 | Mystic View Task Force, Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership | Wig Zamore | Request | Mr. Zamore expressed appreciation for the work of the Boston MPO and others who work on transportation planning in the Boston Region, including MassDOT and vigilant advocates. He complimented the conduct and discourse of Boston MPO meetings. He said that the certification documents represent an appropriate prioritization of sustainable transit and complete streets, with a growing regional walk and bike facility emphasis. He expressed hope that the Boston MPO will soon be able to more fully recognize the serious health impacts of transportation air pollution and noise on nearby residents, workers and students. He suggested that it would be helpful to include black carbon from diesel in climate pollutant inventories, as California already does, and in transportation conformity analyses. He also suggested more fully using the disaggregated TAZ level data to really investigate the disparities in transportation neighborhood facilities and in transportation exposures. |
The MPO appreciates Mr. Zamore's support for its work, the content and discourse of its meetings, and for the content of its certification documents. The MPO will consider Mr. Zamore's suggestions for incorporating black carbon from diesel fuel in climate pollutant inventories and transportation conformity analyses as part of its air-quality-related planning practices. The MPO will also consider using disaggregated TAZ level data to investigate disparities as part of its air-quality-related and transportation-equity-related planning practices. |
| 7/24/15 | Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Office of Transportation Planning | David J. Mohler, Executive Director | Request | The MassDOT Office of Transportation Planning (OTP) commended the MPO on several aspects of the FFY 2016 UPWP: > Including well-made graphics. > Using a wide of range of focus areas in the project selection process, including areas linking proposed studies to MAP-21 planning factors and some critical state policies, including mode shift and GreenDOT goals. > Including the Pedestrian Level-of-Service Metric Development study (13273), which has the potential to be a benchmark planning practice for other MPOs in the Commonwealth. MassDOT OTP made several requests pertaining to the MPO's Bicycle Pedestrian Support Activities (13208): > Ensure that activities within this task help communities consider creating bicycle projects that can be advanced into the MassDOT Project Development Process. > Provide language that emphasizes the priority of projects on the Bay State Greenway. > Consider adding a sub-task to support the identification of critical sidewalk gaps in the region and assist communities in utilizing any available regional Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds to connect gaps along federally-aided roadways. > Consider adding to the project narrative the need to assess the degree of bicycle/pedestrian law enforcement and education conducted and needed in locations to be studied. For the Addressing Safety, Mobility, and Access on Subregional Priority Corridors project (13266), MassDOT OTP notes that there are not any documented MassDOT Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) crash clusters or Bicycle and Pedestrian crash clusters along the corridor under study (Summer Street/Rockland Street/George Washington Boulevard in Hingham and Hull). They note that given this evidence, safety is not a major concern along this corridor, although there is a need for a Complete Street approach, improved access to Nantasket Beach, traffic calming, and Americans-with-Disabilities-Act compatible treatments at crosswalks, including curb ramps and crosswalks delineation. MassDOT OTP requested that the MPO ensure that the FFY 2016 UPWP is made available in an accessible format, and that MPO staff check for general grammatical and writing errors in the document. MassDOT OTP identified a handful of typographical errors, items needing clarification, and formatting concerns in the FFY 2016 UPWP document, and requested that these be corrected. |
The MPO thanks MassDOT OTP for its support regarding the UPWP project selection process, the inclusion of the Pedestrian Level-of-Service Metric Development Study in the FFY 2016 UPWP, and the MPO's use of graphics in the UPWP. As part of its Bicycle/Pedestrian Support Activities program, the MPO will seek opportunities to help communities to consider creating bicycle projects that can be advanced into the MassDOT Project Development process. The MPO will emphasize the priority of projects on the Bay State Greenway where applicable. The MPO will be attentive to issues pertaining to bicycle/pedestrian law enforcement and education when conducting bicycle and pedestrian planning. The MPO will include tasks pertaining identifying critical sidewalk gaps and assisting communities in utilizing available regional TAP funding to close gaps along federally-aided roadways in its list of activities that may be conducted under the Bicycle/Pedestrian Support Activities program. The MPO approved the study of the Summer Street/Rockland Street/George Washington Boulevard corridor in Hingham and Hull as part of the Addressing Safety, Mobility, and Access on Subregional Priority Roadways: FFY 2015 project (13266) in April 2015. The MPO's selection process considered a number of factors, including safety conditions, multimodal significance, subregional priority, and implementation potential. MPO staff will consider MassDOT OTP's feedback on the corridor's needs as it finalizes the study recommendations. The MPO always ensures its documents, including the FFY 2016 UPWP, are made available in accessible formats, and will address the editorial, formatting and clarification items included in MassDOT OTP's letter. |
| 7/24/15 | Somerville resident | Joel Weber II | Request | Mr. Weber suggests that MassDOT, the MBTA, and the Boston MPO explore possibilities for improving capacity on the Green Line's central subway tunnel, particularly by examining the possibility of a grade-separated Copley Junction and lengthening platforms to accommodate 225-foot trains during peak travel times. He suggests exploring making future Green Line trains a single 225-foot-long car, with smartcard readers at each door. He inquires as to why the Green Line is considered at capacity. He suggests several specific ideas for improving capacity in the central tunnel: > Building a flyover between the existing Copley Station and Arlington Station to accommodate outbound E-branch trains, which would stop at a new Copley platform at Huntington Avenue near Dartmouth street, and then continue through a new single-track tunnel to meet the current tunnel. > Lengthening the platforms at Boylston and Arlington Stations and the inbound platform at Copley Station to 450 feet or more, so that two 225-foot-trains could have passengers board or disembark simultaneously. > Lengthening the easternmost Green Line platform track at Park Street Station, if necessary, to accommodate two 225-foot trains, or making more extensive use of the fence track. > Lengthening the Government Center Station platforms, if necessary, to accommodate two 225-foot trains, or truncating one branch of the Green Line to Park Street. He suggests several other ideas, including: > Developing a plan to address the power infrastructure and yard space needs of 225-foot Green Line trains, which would run at the same frequency as the MBTA's current 150-foot trains. > Lengthening existing surface Green Line Station platforms to 225 feet, ideally with level boarding. The design of these upgraded stations should allow buses to share the transit reservation with the trains on the B and C Green Line branches and on the surface section of the E branch from Northeastern University to Brigham Circle. > Exploring opportunities to accommodate 225-foot trains at Heath Street Station by relocating parking to support reconstruction of the loop tracks south of their current location. > Taking the existing outbound E-branch track from Boylston Street to Huntington Avenue out of regular revenue service to make it available at a storage track. |
The MPO appreciates Mr. Weber's suggestions and will forward them to MassDOT and the MBTA to inform the development of the MBTA's next Program for Mass Transportation (PMT). |