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.
MassDOT’s Draft Capital Plan Contains No Money for I-90 Allston Construction
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation released its draft capital investment plan for the next five years, which includes lots of money for the construction of a new Cape Cod bridge and almost no money for the $1.97 billion I-90 Allston highway project.
Tibbits-Nutt Comments Raise Questions About I-90 Allston Funding
Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt had an unusual exchange with a MassDOT board member on Tuesday that raised questions about whether the Healey administration is serious about funding the $1.97 billion I-90 Allston project.
South Coast Rail Start Delayed Until Spring 2025
The long-awaited MBTA commuter rail expansion to the South Coast will not open to passengers until next spring, nearly 18 months after the original opening date attached to the project.
MTF to Beacon Hill: Solve MBTA ‘Fiscal Fiasco’ This Year
A business-backed group wants the state legislature to resolve a projected funding gap at the MBTA this year, saying the high stakes include Boston’s recovery from pandemic impacts and the safety and reliability of the heavily-used transit system.
T Claims ‘Significant Progress’ on Slow Zones After Orange Line Repairs
After reopening the core of its Orange Line subway Friday following a nine-day closure for repairs, the MBTA says it’s made “significant progress” in eliminating delays caused by track in disrepair.
Watchdog: ‘Terrible Options’ If Transit Funding Fixes Not Found
Public transportation is on the verge of an “existential crisis,” a key transit watchdog warned, as the MBTA moves ahead with a budget plan that drains its reserves in the face of a looming deficit and uncertainty about Beacon Hill’s approach to long-term funding fixes.
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