Study Advisory Group Meeting
for the
Back Bay Ramps Transportation Study
June 12, 2012
Boston Public Library
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Agenda
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1.
Introductions
2.
Review of study progress
3.
Modeling results for Turnpike ramps
4.
Planned Bowker Overpass repairs
5.
Modeling of Bowker Overpass alternatives
6.
Questions & answers
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Study Goals
Increase the regional accessibility of Boston's
Back Bay with I-93, the Seaport District and Logan
Airport.
Provide new access to the regional express
highway system for Boston's Fenway and LMA to
better connect with I-93, the Seaport District, and
Logan Airport.
Ensure that any transportation improvements are
sensitive to the concerns of neighborhoods within
the study area.
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Alternatives Screening Process
Developed seven ramp alternatives
Partially based on previous studies
Conducted fatal flaw screening
Corridor constraints required a “high bar” for screening
Four alternatives selected for additional analysis
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Alternatives Selected for Analysis
Alternative 1: New I-90 WB off-ramp to Berkeley
Street with closure of the existing I-90 WB on-ramp
from Arlington Street
Alternative 2: New I-90 WB off-ramp to Trinity Place
with closure of the existing I-90 WB on-ramps from
Clarendon Street and Arlington Street
Alternative 3: New I-90 WB off-ramp to Brookline
Avenue
Alternative 4: New I-90 EB on-ramp from the Bowker
Overpass NB
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Alternative 1: New westbound off-ramp to
Berkeley Street
Alternative 1: New Berkeley Street off-ramp
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Alternative 1: Changes in AM peak period traffic
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Alternative 1: Changes in AM peak period traffic
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Alternative 1: Changes in PM peak period traffic
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Alternative 1: Changes in PM peak period traffic
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Alternative 2: New westbound off-ramp to
Trinity Place/Stuart Street
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Alternative 2: New westbound off-ramp to Trinity
Place/Stuart Street
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Alternative 2: Changes in AM peak period traffic
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Alternative 2: Changes in PM peak period traffic
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Alternative 3: New westbound off-ramp to
Brookline Avenue
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Alternative 3: New westbound off-ramp to
Brookline Avenue
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Alternative 3: Changes in AM peak period traffic
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Alternative 3: Changes in PM peak period traffic
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Alternative 4: New eastbound on-ramp from the
Bowker Overpass – Original alternative
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Alternative 4: New eastbound on-ramp from the
Bowker Overpass - Original
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Alternative 4: New eastbound on-ramp from the
Bowker Overpass – Revised alternative
Alternative 4: New eastbound on-ramp from the
Bowker Overpass – Revised
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Alternative 4: Changes in AM peak period traffic
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Alternative 4: Changes in PM peak period traffic
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Overview of the Bowker Overpass
Constructed in 1965
Ownership & care transferred to MassDOT in 2009
Significant repairs required
Ramp “H” Reconstructed in 2009
Repairs to the Bowker Overpass scheduled for 2013
Replacement of eastbound Storrow Drive structure under
design
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Bowker Overpass – Existing Conditions
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Long-Term Plan for the Bowker Overpass
The Overpass provides important connections...
Major vehicular connector (52,500 vehicles daily in 2011)
A major pedestrian connection across the Turnpike
...but it also acts as a barrier.
Built over the connection between the Emerald Necklace
and the Charles River Esplanade
Acts as the border between Kenmore & Back Bay
neighborhoods
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Long-Term Plan for the Bowker Overpass
Many organizations have shown interest in altering
or removing the Bowker Overpass...
Kenmore Association
Esplanade 2020 Vision
...but as MassDOT, we have questions about local
and regional impacts.
How will regional traffic patterns change?
Will this overburden other roadways?
What are the impacts to abutters and green space?
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Long-Term Plan for the Bowker Overpass
MassDOT will work with the Central Transportation
Planning Staff to model four different alternatives
We need your feedback on changes to the Bowker
Overpass and the surrounding roadway network
Several possible alternatives sketched out...
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Potential Alternative – Bowker Removed
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Potential Alternative – Bowker At-Grade
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Potential Alternative – New Regional Access
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Potential Alternative – New Regional & Local Access
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Next Steps
Back Bay Ramps
Determine Future Levels of Service
Based on Model Results
Further Refine the Design for Each Alternative
Quantify Impacts
Develop Cost Estimates
Bowker Overpass
Finalize Four Alternatives
Based on Feedback from the Advisory Group
Quantify Changes in Traffic Patterns
Regional & Local
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Thank You!
Questions???
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Contact Information:
Paul Nelson
Phone: 617-973-7479
E-mail: paul.nelson@state.ma.us
Website:
http://www.mass.gov/massdot/bostonramps
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