A City On The Move
Banker & Tradesman’s coverage of transit issues throughout the region, including debates over the merits of dedicated bus lanes, advocacy for the Allston interchange and the ongoing saga of the Green Line Extension.
MBTA Seeks to Fix Fatal Flaw in Its Real Estate
The MBTA owns prime locations for real estate development but efforts to build on them have a history of lengthy delays and missed opportunities. Could that be changing?
MBTA Invites Developers to Hear Alewife Opportunity
The MBTA is formally launching its effort to find someone to redevelop the site of its Alewife garage and Red Line station in North Cambridge, inviting interested parties to an Aug. 8 forum in downtown Boston.
MBTA Board to Electrify, Speed Service on First Commuter Line
After years of advocates’ lobbying and promises by former MBTA leaders, the T is set to get its first electrified commuter rail line, serving Boston’s Dorchester, Mattapan and Hyde Park neighborhoods.
Poll: Housing, Transportation Costs Pushing People Out Of Mass.
One in five Bay Staters envisions themselves leaving Massachusetts for another state within the next five years, according to a new poll that found a sizable majority of residents burdened by high housing costs.
Healey Suggests 2027 Start for Sagamore Bridge Replacement
Energized by a federal funding jolt, elected officials gathered at the Sagamore Recreation Area last week, against the backdrop of one of the aging Cape Cod bridges that officials say is now significantly closer to being replaced.
Next Stop For T Workforce: ‘Labor Stability’
MBTA officials say the agency will enjoy the “longest period of labor stability since the 1980s” now that collective bargaining agreements are in place with every single affiliated labor union at the T.
Letter to the Editor: Federal I-90 Grant Deserves Celebration
“It is a rare occasion to win a $335 million grant, but it is appropriate for this project and this special moment. Because of the hard work over the past few years, this region now stands to benefit with safer transportation infrastructure, better access to transit, and the new economic development that will improve Greater Boston for decades to come.”
— Tom Ryan, senior advisor, A Better City
MBTA Lays Out Vision for New Bus Rapid Transit in Everett
“We are beyond excited to be advancing plans to extend Silver Line service between Chelsea, Everett and Sullivan Square in Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood. This extension of service is exactly what we are talking about when we say the administration is prioritizing public transportation investments which fill gaps in our system, increase access for residents in underserved communities and make our transportation network more equitable.”
— Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt
Lawmakers Rule Out Tax Hikes to Pay for Guv's Proposals
The governor pledged to “increase funding for local roads and bridges to record levels, with special investments dedicated to rural communities,” and convene a task force to rethink long-term transportation financing questions “in the clean energy era,” a potential nod to expectations that gas tax revenue that in part pays for road maintenance will dry up as electric vehicle usage increases.
— Banker & Tradesman Managing Editor James Sanna
T Hiring Blitz Pays Off, 'Sets New Bar'
“The agency has suffered from hiring and retention struggles, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic spread labor challenges across sectors. And the consequences have been potent: staffing shortages have played a major role in safety lapses and unreliable service.”
— Chris Lisinski, State House News Service
The Transformational Opportunity in Allston
“By realigning the elevated highway lanes, the state and city of Boston can open up 40 acres of developable land for new housing – 20 percent of which will be affordable – and commerce. This area would then supported by a new transportation hub on the Worcester- Framingham commuter rail line called West Station that also allows for seamless bus and shuttle connections throughout Greater Boston. This is truly a once-in-a-generation chance to transform a structurally-deficient highway into a vibrant transit-orientated development that benefits travelers throughout Greater Boston.”
— Rick Dimino, CEO, A Better City