Rick Dimino

The post-pandemic economy in metropolitan Boston can be stronger, safer and more resilient, if Massachusetts starts the design work on the a few necessary transportation and infrastructure plans now. The early success of COVID-19 vaccines gives us all hope for the future, but we need to capitalize on this moment to address roadway congestion, maximize future federal infrastructure funds and create of smarter transportation policies throughout the commonwealth. 

Some may argue Massachusetts should wait a few years in order to fully evaluate the post-pandemic landscape. This would be a mistake and would disregard many of the transportation studies and problems we faced in the past. Commuters faced overwhelming roadway congestion throughout metropolitan Boston region before the pandemic, and it could be even worse in the near future if workers turn away from public transit. Roadway congestion could become be a major drag on our economy if workers want to avoid traveling into in urban centers because of traffic.   

To avoid this potential problem, we need the MBTA to perform at a higher level than ever before, so that public transit is viewed as the preferred travel option. Fortunately, because of federal funding already provided to the MBTA, resources are available to increase the frequency of transit service and pilot new schedules for the bus, ferry and commuter rail riders. Due to the recent progress from the vaccines, it is now reasonable for the MBTA to create new, innovative and flexible transit schedules that would begin this summer.   

Be Ready When Congress Acts 

Even if the MBTA expands current service, Massachusetts will still require a permanent strategy to reduce roadway congestion. From a climate perspective, we must reduce carbon emissions from vehicles, but a future with more electric vehicles is not a comprehensive solution to all our transportation or environmental problems. We still need to deliver regional equity in our transportation system and a real strategy for roadway pricing and traffic management throughout the commonwealth. 

Gov. Charlie Baker recently vetoed a bill that would have created a commission to study roadway and congestion pricing largely, he said, because of the uncertainty created by the pandemic. While he was wrong to say we must wait for more certainty to study the topic, he was right that we don’t need another study on this already heavily examined topic. Instead, the legislature should create an official panel of experts at MassDOT who can oversee this work – conducting the environmental reviews, accounting for community impacts and ultimately implementing a fair, regionally equitable tolling plan that could take effect in two to three years. We already have a successful control board for the MBTA, we now need a new board to handle roadway pricing.   

Focused planning on roadway congestion is also an opportunity to create better incentives for commuters through new public transit investments, but time is of the essence. Congress and the Biden administration are on track to develop a rare major infrastructure bill that should be completed in the fall. If the MBTA and MassDOT operate with urgency over the next nine months and advance design plans on specific rail and transit projects, our chances of seeing key projects completed with federal dollars will improve dramatically. 

Much Work Already Done 

Fortunately, we have already studied our future needs in rail and transit projects, through Gov. Baker’s 2018 Commission on the Future of Transportation, the MBTA’s Regional Rail vision and MassDOT’s long-term capital planning efforts. We just never have the financial resources to move projects toward construction. Right now, we have a narrow window of time to prepare key projects, like the Red-Blue Connector or all-electric bus maintenance facilities, so they are eligible for construction funds that will become available this fall.  

As members of the Commission on the Future of Transportation wrote in their report, “[h]igh-frequency, high-capacity public transit is the most efficient and sustainable way to move large numbers of people as they go about their daily lives. This is true today and will be true in 2040.”   

The pandemic has not changed this truth. It should continue to be a guiding principle for Massachusetts in 2021 and justifies moving forward with design plans for many projects in hopes of federal funds.  

The second half of 2021 could be an extraordinary time as we emerge from the pandemic.  Seeing action on important transportation plans is possible and would show our ambition, energy and hard work that helped us to make the best of this difficult time. Let’s realize the opportunities ahead. Start now to put this region in a better position for success for the next few years and beyond. 

Rick Dimino is CEO of A Better City.