Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation

South Station: Please Review the ENF

By Kate Fichter, Project Manager

In my last blog post, I described the need to file an Environmental Notification Form (ENF) to kick off the planning and environmental review process for the South Station Expansion project.  I am happy to announce that the ENF has now been completed and submitted by MassDOT to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office.

In the ENF, MassDOT outlines the potential environmental consequences of expanding South Station, as well as our preliminary understandings of the transportation and other benefits that we can anticipate from the project. 

We are looking for your comments and feedback on the ENF.  Please join us at a Public Scoping Session  where you can ask questions, provide comments, and describe your vision for the future of South Station.

The Public Scoping Session will be held on:

Monday, April 1, 2013, 4:00 PM, One South Station, 2nd Floor

Enter the station at the Atlantic Avenue entrance, an area with a security desk and an elevator.  Take the elevator to the second floor and you will be right outside the meeting room.  The elevator inside the main station can also be taken you to the second floor.  From there, MassDOT will have signs and staff directing attendees to the appropriate room.

Prior to the Public Scoping Session, you can read the ENF on the project website.  The document is also available for review at the State Transportation Library and the Massachusetts State Library. Copies are also available upon request.   Our latest Project Fact Sheet summarizes the ENF as well.

If you cannot attend the Public Scoping Session, you can also submit comments on the South Station Expansion project by mail, fax, or email.  Submission information is below:

Secretary Richard K. Sullivan, Jr., Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

MEPA Office, EEA #15028    Attention: Holly Johnson, MEPA Analyst

100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114

Fax: 617-626-1181  Email: Holly.S.Johnson@state.ma.us

Comments submitted by mail, fax, or email must be received at the above contact information by April 9, 2013.

The photo above is courtesy Andy Ryan.  I hope to see you at the Public Scoping Session on Monday, April 1 and look forward to reading your comments!

Governor Patrick Files Transportation Bond Bill

Governor Deval Patrick today filed a transportation bond bill to authorize and fund the 21st Century Transportation Plan “The Way Forward”
, the 10-year plan for the next generation of transportation investments to modernize and maintain a transportation system that spurs economic growth and creates jobs across the Commonwealth. 

The bill invests $13.7 billion over ten years to address a backlog of deferred maintenance and strategically improve our transportation system to reduce congestion on roads, curb delays and minimize crowding on trains and buses, and improve customer service. In addition, this bill continues funding current investments identified in the statewide road and bridge program identified in the Fiscal Year 2013-2017 Capital Investment Plan. In total, the bill authorizes $19 billion of capital investment in the Commonwealth’s transportation system. Taken together, this legislation represents the administration’s commitment to a 21st century transportation system for Massachusetts.

“These investments will create the jobs and opportunity today that will build a stronger Commonwealth for tomorrow,” said Governor Patrick.  “A modern, safe, equitable 21st Century transportation system is what our citizens want and our Commonwealth needs to unlock economic growth in every region of the Commonwealth.”

“The Governor and Lieutenant Governor from the very beginning have focused on reversing the previous inadequate maintenance of our roads, bridges, and rails through commitments such as the Accelerated Bridge Program, and the bond bill supports the next critical steps in maintaining and improving transportation for decades to come,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey.

The transportation bond bill, to be funded by existing revenues and additional revenues through passage of tax reform, includes the following investments to complete the 21st Century Transportation Plan and fund the existing transportation capital plan for the next four years. Without passage of the Governor’s plan, necessary road and bridge projects will go unaddressed, creating longer commutes, eliminating public transit options and slowing economic recovery and growth.

·         $3.4 billion to provide $300 million annually in Chapter 90 funds, a 50 percent increase, distributed to Towns and Cities for local road and bridge projects

·         $2.4 billion for transportation construction projects over the next four years that are eligible for 82 percent federal reimbursement of costs, leaving a net state borrowing cost of $432 million

·         $4.6 billion to fully state-fund highway maintenance and construction, including major projects identified in the 21st Century Transportation Plan, such as the I-93/I-95 interchange and Springfield I-91 viaduct

·         $4.4 billion for regional rail projects identified in the Transportation Plan including Green Line expansion, South Coast Rail and South Station expansion

·         $3.3 billion to modernize MBTA subway and bus systems to improve service, safety and customer convenience

·         $604 million for regional transit to modernize bus fleets and infrastructure in regional systems statewide

·         $146 million for information technology projects, including the statutory requirement to implement an asset management system.

Winter Storm Travel Reminders

MassDOT encourages weekend travelers to plan ahead as a winter storm is expected to affect most regions of the state Saturday and Sunday.  

As always, crews will be pre-treating and clearing state roads.  MassDOT has access to more than 4,000 crews statewide called upon as needed depending on the severity of the storm.

For those who must travel, MassDOT urges everyone to check before leaving, drive cautiously, and use public transportation where possible.

Our live online traffic cameras show current conditions on major state roadways.  

We encourage you to review MassDOT’s winter driving tips.  Among the important reminders: for your safety, please stay a safe distance behind maintenance vehicles and snow plows.  Stay back at least 200 feet and never pass on the right.  The road in front of the plow is usually in much worse condition than the roadway behind the plow. Plows will typically travel under 35 miles per hour and drivers should avoid passing them if possible.

Visit www.mbta.com for the latest information on bus, subway, and train service.

 

MBTA Government Center Station Project Update

The MBTA Government Center Station Project construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2013 with site preparation and work zone set up in support of the full station closure in late summer.

The $91 million, three-year Government Center Station Project will bring the new station, seen at left, into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and combines improvements to the Green Line Station, Blue Line Station, and Cambridge Street/Government Center Plaza.

The project includes reconstruction of both the Green Line and Blue Line platforms, new elevators from the surface to the Green Line level and from the Green Line level to the Blue Line level, a new headhouse structure as the primary entrance to the Station, and reconstruction of Cambridge Street and City Hall plaza in the vicinity of the station. 

The result will be a new station fully accessible, customer-friendly and efficient, that creates an accessible route to Boston City Hall and surrounding public sidewalks.  The reconfiguration of the plaza is consistent with the City’s initiative of greening City Hall plaza.

The project will close Government Center Station to patrons for 24 months during the construction period by diverting passengers to other nearby stations.  Temporary closure of the station to patrons eliminates the need for a temporary headhouse, avoids numerous weekend and nightly closures, and allows construction to proceed more rapidly, reducing the overall construction schedule.

MBTA Launches New Courtesy Campaign

If you take a look around MBTA trains and buses today, you might notice some new faces among your fellow riders. The MBTA has introduced the “Courtesy Critters” as part of its latest “Courtesy Counts” campaign. This is the fifth campaign in twelve years launched as a friendly reminder to all of its customers of some things to keep in mind to ensure all riders have a pleasant and comfortable trip.
 
This is the first time the campaign has used light, humor-based messages. Using the voice of various animals related to the reminder is intended to make riders smile while reinforcing public transit etiquette.
 
“Riding the T every day, I know how important it is to be respectful and kind to fellow passengers as well as operators,” said MBTA General Manager Dr. Beverly Scott. “Sometimes we need to be reminded of the basics and hopefully it will make everyone’s commute a more pleasant one.”
 
The suggestions given in the campaigns are based on common customer feedback, such as sneezing into your elbow or giving up your seat for the elderly or disabled. The newest reminder – to be courteous to bus and train operators – has been added as the result of a recent string of abusive incidents targeting drivers. A cast of crabs will remind riders to be nice to operators – and how much they appreciate it when you are.
 
The crabs will join five other groups of animals to bring these friendly reminders to customers including a group of pigs and piglets that have come together to remind you not to hog a seat and a posse of parrots that might squawk but know not to do it on the phone in a crowded bus or train.
 
Six different signs were designed in-house.  A total of 2400 signs will be put up throughout the MBTA system.

All Aboard!- Journey to the New South Station

Posted by Kate Fichter, Project Manager

When you think of Boston South Station, you most likely think about catching a train or bus, commuting home, or taking a weekend trip to New York City or Providence.  It would be no surprise if, like many of the 22 million passengers who passed through South Station in 2011, you primarily regard the station as a means to get where you want to go. You may also appreciate the food and amenities that South Station offers, the holiday and art displays, and the connections to the MBTA Red and Silver Lines.

The South Station that you know today has come a long way from its original construction, so let’s travel back to 1876.  You’ve just arrived in Boston to catch your next train at one of three other terminals on the south side of the city.  You have to walk some distance with your heavy bags, since none of the local stations serves all of the different train lines that operate in and out of Boston (as many as nine different lines once carried travelers to and from Boston).  Wouldn’t travel be easier and quicker if the different railroads could be combined in a single station?

That’s where the Boston Terminal Company enters the story.  The Company was granted a charter by the Massachusetts Legislature in 1896 to construct and maintain a ‘union’ station – unifying the different railroads under a single roof – for all trains entering Boston from the south.  The company bought a 35-acre parcel (previously used for the terminal station of the New England Railroad) for $9 million, and construction began on the consolidated station in 1897.  The new station would combine the operations previously housed at four different terminal stations, including those of the New England Railroad Terminal, the Boston and Albany Railroad Company, the Boston and Providence Railroad Corporation, and the Old Colony Railroad Company.   Two years and $11 million later, Boston South Station opened its doors to customers on January 1, 1899.  Excited customers lined up to board one of the 65 trains that would depart that day.

The front entrance to the station looked similar to how it looks today, with three double doors opening to the corner of Summer Street and Atlantic Avenue, with an exterior clock (manufactured by the Edward Clock Company of Roxbury) topped by an eagle statue with an eight-foot wingspan.  Unlike today, carriages were allowed to enter the front of the station to meet passengers and carry baggage.
Unlike today, a shed – a large glass roof – covered the station's 28 tracks and platforms, allowing passengers to be protected from the elements while boarding and alighting trains.  The train shed was removed during a remodeling of the station in 1929-1931.  The photo above, courtesy of the Boston Public Library/Leslie Jones Collection, shows the inside of the shed circa 1930. 

COMING SOON:  South Station has a long history, and has long been the subject of tall tales of ghosts and bowling alleys.  As MassDOT focuses on a new South Station, I plan to share tales of the past and of the future we would like you to help us build.  Visit the South Station Expansion project website for more information.

Governor Patrick Highlights South Coast Rail Commitment

Governor Deval Patrick today joined state and local leaders in New Bedford to highlight the Administration’s commitment to South Coast Rail as a key component of an investment plan to grow jobs and expand economic opportunity.   

The Governor’s plan includes the completion of the South Coast Rail Line with diesel-fueled commuter trains to connect Boston to Fall River and New Bedford.  The $1.8 billion investment is expected to create 3,800 jobs and generate $500 million in new economic activity statewide annually.  The plan includes a $1 billion annual investment in the Commonwealth’s transportation system to maintain the current transportation assets we have today and launch a number of high-impact transportation projects across Massachusetts that, if built, will create thousands of jobs and spur economic development across the Commonwealth.

“Opportunity is too important to leave to chance, but opportunity requires growth and growth requires investment.  We have made a commitment to bring commuter rail to the South Coast because we know this will unlock new economic development opportunities while delivering a reliable transit choice for commuters with huge environmental benefits,” said Governor Patrick.  “Working with our partners in the legislature, business community and cities and towns, we will invest in education, innovation and infrastructure to create a stronger Commonwealth for this generation, and the next.”

“MassDOT heard from thousands of citizens as we prepared our comprehensive transportation plan, “The Way Forward,” and the message was clear in this region and all across the Commonwealth – people want more transportation, not less,” said MassDOT Secretary & Chief Executive Officer Richard A. Davey.  “South Coast Rail when combined with other strategic investments to maintain the regional transportation system will help the South Coast continue to grow for decades to come.”

Investments supporting South Coast Rail to date include the completed rebuilding of three New Bedford rail bridges funded by a $20 million federal TIGER grant that enhance current freight rail and will serve commuter rail, along with the completion of an historic agreement with CSX Transportation to purchase 30 miles of track from Taunton to Fall River and New Bedford necessary for South Coast Rail. 

The South Coast Rail Economic Development and Land Use Corridor Plan, developed in 2009, has made strategic investments to assist the 31 Corridor communities in preparing for passenger rail through sustainable development and appropriate land use. The Plan identifies areas that are appropriate for new development near proposed South Coast Rail transit stations.  The fifth round of technical assistance announced in October 2012 provided grants to 15 Corridor communities of $5,000- $25,000 to plan for sustainable, smart growth.

The Patrick-Murray Administration’s transportation investments in the future of the South Coast region also include the Accelerated Bridge Program “mega” project to rebuild the I-195, Route 79, and Route 138 intersection in Fall River along with improvements to Route 18 and other state roadways, and local road and bridge projects funded by Chapter 90. 

Secretary Davey: The Time to Act Decisively is Now

Posted by Richard A. Davey, MassDOT Secretary & Chief Executive Officer

The Pioneer Institute’s Jim Stergios has one fundamental point exactly right in his opinion article, “Lots of Art, Little Science in Transportation Plan.”  In his words: “let’s be clear that we do need new revenue for transportation and infrastructure.”  He may also be right about one other thing: my presentation skills in outlining MassDOT’s The Way Forward: A 21st-Century Transportation Plan, are no match for the “magic of Steve Jobs”! 

But I believe he misses the mark about the necessity of the proposals outlined in that presentation and our plan’s promise to revitalize our transportation system delivery across the Commonwealth- and jump start our state’s economy and create thousands of jobs in the process. 

The facts are that despite assertions to the contrary:

Reform is happening: We have successfully undertaken a multi-year, “full” reform effort in transportation.  From the elimination of “23 and out” at the MBTA to transitioning employees into the Group Insurance Commission, tangible reforms have saved taxpayers over $500m to date.  And, as we stated in our report, reform is not done.  A number of initiatives, from mobile ticketing on the T to introduction of all electronic tolling are underway or coming soon. And, we welcome more ideas on how to reduce our cost structure and improve the customer experience.

More transparency than ever: We have emphasized transparency in our dealings with our customers and provided meaningful information about service delivery and the state of our finances. Indeed, we sought out and specifically briefed the Pioneer Institute as we developed our new metrics and scorecard for your thoughts and advice. The MBTA’s scorecard, the DOT quarterly scorecard and our Accelerated Bridge Program scorecards are all available on our website.  The RMV discusses its monthly performance at every MassDOT Board meeting.  We held a public accountability meeting in Worcester to discuss the metrics, and have committed to holding such a meeting on a quarterly basis.  Granted, this information is spread out, so we are consolidating this information so it is more user friendly.

Transparency goes beyond scorecards though.  We have also opened up our MBTA operations center and other facilities to the public and publish weekly online our maintenance activities in the Central Artery and our Tunnels. Most importantly, we’ve engaged our customers directly.  In the last year, we’ve held over 100 public meetings and hearings across the state regarding T service/fare hikes, highway and transit project updates or our regular monthly Board meetings where public comment is invited.

Maintain what we have:  Our plan prioritizes maintenance of our current transportation system even as we advocate for critical projects statewide that are not the “same old” projects but rather long-discussed, necessary steps to ensure a bright future for our state.  Over 70% of the 10 year capital program in the Way Forward Plan is directed to investments in current roads, bridges, airports and rail infrastructure, and purchases new buses, trains and trolleys to replace the decades old fleet at the T and the RTAs.  On the operations side, we end the ludicrous practice of borrowing to pay for highway operations, provide much needed debt relief to the MBTA so current operations are maintained and appropriately fund the 15 Regional Transit Authorities for expanded bus service.

And yes, we will invest in targeted expansion that delivers new transportation services from Boston to Springfield, from the Berkshires to the South Coast, all projects long identified as critical to create jobs and economic development for the long-term benefit of the Commonwealth.  We fundamentally believe that more mobility options in every corner of the state is key to catalyzing economic activity.

We have also been open about the need to confront the increasing funding gap first identified- with the Pioneer Institute’s acknowledgment- in the 2007 Transportation Finance Commission report that identified a $19 billion gap in needed funds for maintenance of our transportation system over 20 years. We spoke with more than 7,000 members of the public, elected officials, business leaders and transportation stakeholders over the last year in more than 50 meetings across the state and heard their needs and concerns about our roads, our bridges, our buses, trains and bikeways. What we learned is that we have a problem most businesses would love to have – our customers want MORE of our services, not LESS.  

The question before us is clear.  How do we deliver the improved transportation services our customers demand?  The answers are found not in the inadequate steps mentioned by the Pioneer Institute. 

Rather than “lots of art, little science,” our 21st-century Plan is thoughtfully constructed and based on facts about transportation we have known for years- about our huge funding gap, our deferred maintenance, our absurd reliance on debt to pay for operations and the need for equitable transportation services in communities across our state. 

I look forward to our continuing conversation about the way forward, but the time to act decisively is now. 

MassDOT 21st Century Plan: Regional Investments

MassDOT's plan for the next generation of transportation investment in the Commonwealth: The Way Forward: A 21st Century Transportation Plan includes strategic regional investments across the Commonwealth.

Western Massachusetts, Berkshires

The plan includes passenger rail service connecting Boston and Springfield along the “Inland Route,” and rehabilitation of infrastructure to support rail service between Pittsfield and New York City.

$362.4 million will rehabilitate the “Inland Route” by creating a second track, widening bridges, upgrading signals purchasing train equipment, and constructing or rehabilitating stations. This supports future high-speed rail to New York City via Springfield.

$113.8 million will rehabilitate rail from the Berkshires to New York City, including track, signals and structures between Pittsfield and the Massachusetts-Connecticut state line to support future rail service between Pittsfield and New York City.

The plan funds the I-91 Viaduct in Springfield, a $32.2 million increase to the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority in FY14, a $3.2 million increase to the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA), and a $1 million increase to the Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA), along with reconstruction of Route 2 in Erving Center, the Mohawk bike and pedestrian trail in North Adams and the Skyline Trail in Hinsdale.

Central Massachusetts

The plan includes an $11.1 million increase in funding for the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) in FY14.  The plan also includes $12 million for improvements and safety enhancements at the interchange of I-495 and Route 9 in Westborough, reconstruction of Quinsigamond Avenue from Brosnihan Square to Southbridge Street in Worcester, and resurfacing of Route 119 in Groton and Littleton. 

South Coast

The plan funds completion of the South Coast Rail Line with diesel-fueled commuter trains to connect Boston to Fall River and New Bedford. The $1.8 billion investment is expected to create 3,800 jobs and generate $500 million in new economic activity statewide annually.

The plan also includes a $5.4 million increase in funding for the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) in FY14, interchange improvements at Routes 24 and 140 in Taunton, improvements to Route 6 and Fauce Corner Road in Dartmouth and reconstruction of Route 18 from Cove Street to Griffin Court in New Bedford.

Cape & Islands

The plan restores seasonal rail service on weekends between Boston and Hyannis.  The $20.8 million investment will upgrade rail, grade crossings, bridges and station accessibility.

The plan also includes a $5.9 million increase in funding for the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) in FY14, median construction along Route 6 in Bourne and resurfacing Route 6A in Brewster.

MassDOT Releases 21st Century Transportation Plan

The MassDOT Board and Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey today announced a plan for the next generation of transportation investment in the Commonwealth: The Way Forward: A 21st Century Transportation Plan.

The long-term financing plan shows that the state needs $684 million to operate the same system we have today. The plan calls for an additional investment in our transportation assets of $5.2 billion over ten years in road and highway repair in order to reduce the number of structurally deficient bridges and ease congestion on major arteries throughout the state; $3.8 billion to invest in existing transit services; and $275 million for Registry and airport maintenance.  These investments responsibly maintain the current transportation assets we have today.

In addition, the plan identifies a number of high-impact transportation projects across Massachusetts that, if built, will create thousands of jobs and spur economic development across the Commonwealth. In all, the plan identifies a $1.02 billion average additional need each year to create a 21st-Century transportation network.

“The plan released today is a stark, clear-eyed, non-partisan presentation of the facts,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “If we are serious about improving our transportation system for a generation, then we have to be willing to make the necessary investments. We must invest in transportation, not for the sake of transportation itself, but for the jobs and economic opportunity it creates.”

“Transportation is the enabling network of our economy, creating and supporting jobs in all regions of the Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray.  “The MassDOT Board has outlined how far we've come and how far we have to go to ensure a safe, reliable and regionally equitable transportation network.  Now we all need to work together to make this vision a reality.”

The plan addresses systemic budget deficits at the MBTA, MassDOT and the 15 Regional Transit Authorities, much of which has been caused by the debt burden related to the Central Artery.

“We have spent the last year engaging our customers, the business community and various stakeholders in a conversation about what kind of transportation system they want,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey. “What is clear is that we can’t afford the system we have today, much less the system we all want. This plan clearly articulates our vision for a 21st-Century Transportation system and the steps we must take to achieves that.”

Additional operating needs include:

MassDOT - $371 million in FY14; $4.4 billion over 10 years

The proposed new funding will allow MassDOT to end the decades-long practice of funding operating costs – personnel, rent, utilities, lawn mowing, etc – with borrowed funds. Currently, for every dollar MassDOT spends today on these items, it pays $1.76 in principal and interest costs. Appropriately paying for these items with operating funds will save the Commonwealth money over time and free up capital dollars to invest in infrastructure improvements.

The additional funding will also allow MassDOT to sufficiently fund its snow and ice operations at an appropriate level based on the average five-year cost and support and maintain its new capital investments.

Regional Transit Authorities -- $100 million in FY14; $1.1 billion over 10 years

This additional investment will allow the RTA’s to end the practice of borrowing, with interest costs, to fund annual operating costs by instead forward-funding each agency. Beginning in FY15, the additional $100 million will be used to expand RTA service by adding hours of operation, increasing frequency on existing routes and adding new service.

MBTA - $166 million in FY14; $3.2 billion over 10 years

This new investment will allow the MBTA to close its current and projected budget deficits, much of which is caused by the debt burden related to the Central Artery public transit commitments. Beginning in FY2014, $25 million in annual operating funds will also be available to provide modest service enhancements such as possibly expanding evening hours, restoring weekend service in areas that have been cut and improved customer service.

In addition to responsibly paying for our daily operations, the 21st-Century Plan calls for a $13 billion infusion of capital investment funds. These funds, which would supplement the Administration’s current capital investment plans, will allow MassDOT to address a backlog of deferred maintenance and improve current assets in order to reduce congestion on our roads, curb delays and minimize crowding on our trains and buses and improve customer service at our facilities.

In 2007, the Transportation Finance Commission issued a report pegging our maintenance funding gap at $15 billion to $19 billion over 20 years. The investment proposed in the 21st-Century Plan is an aggressive plan to eliminate that backlog.

The list of investments over 10 years is available after the break.