Public Meeting
for the
I-90 Boston Ramps Transportation
Study
December 4, 2013
Boston Public Library
Agenda
1. Introductions
2. Study Approach & Schedule
3. Discussion of Existing Bicycle and Pedestrian
Accommodations
4. Review of Future Traffic Conditions
1.
Bowker Overpass Alternatives
2.
Back Bay Ramp Alternatives
5. Discussion
December 4, 2013
2
Review of the Study Approach
This planning study is organized into a series of Tasks:
1.
Study Area, Goals & Objectives, Evaluation Criteria, and Public
Participation – Complete
2.
Existing Conditions and Issues Evaluation – Complete
3.
Alternatives Development – Complete
4.
Alternatives Analysis  We Are Here
5.
Recommendations
6.
Final Report
December 4, 2013
3
Review of the 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.
December 4, 2013
4
Study Schedule
Boston MPO’s Central Transportation Planning Staff assisting with the
completion of the report
In addition to completing the remaining tasks, there will be additional
work in two areas:
• Environmental Justice and Title VI Analysis
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations
Schedule for remaining tasks:
February 2014 – Completion of the Alternatives Analysis
March 2014 – Draft Report Findings and Recommendations
April 2014 – Draft Final Report Released
December 4, 2013
5
Bicycle and Pedestrian Users
5
Bicycle and Pedestrian Counts taken
in September at Intersections: 2, 5,
8, and 11
• Taken from
8
2
– 7:00 - 10:00 AM
– 3:00 - 7:00 PM
• Studied intersections for full day analysis
11
December 4, 2013
6
Bicycle and Pedestrian Users
Bowker Overpass Pedestrian and Bicyclist Use
Intersecting Streets
#
1 Charlesgate East Commonwealth Ave Eastbound
2 Charlesgate East Beacon Street
3 Charlesgate West Commonwealth Ave Westbound
4 Charlesgate
Boylston (Bowker Overpass)
Totals
Grand Totals
Total AM/PM peak and Pedestrian/Bicyclist use
December 4, 2013
Pedestrians
AM
PM
Bikes
AM
579 1,346
646 1,111
204
406
Totals
PM
612
156
110
Peds
Bikes
378 1,925
385 1,757
463
610
AM
PM
990 1,191 1,724
541
802 1,496
573
314
869
596
955
200
123 1,551
323
796 1,078
2,025 3,818 1,078 1,349 5,843 2,427 3,103 5,167
5,843
2,427
8,270
-
-
7
Pedestrian Facilities: Bowker Overpass
8
12/9/2013
Bicycle Facilities: Bowker Overpass
9
12/9/2013
Regional Connectivity Improvements
Charles River Basin – Pedestrian and Bicycle Connectivity Study: Recommendations
10
December 4, 2014
10
Regional Connectivity Improvements
Specifically in the Bowker Overpass area…
December 4, 2014
11
Charles Green Project
As part of the project:
1. Crossing at Beacon Street
2. A trail connecting to Mass Ave
3. Connection to Mass Ave
4. Crossing on Mass Ave
December 4, 2014
12
Review of Future Traffic Conditions
• Future Year = 2035
• Future No Build Traffic Conditions based on:
– Demographics Developed by MAPC and approved by the Boston MPO
– Projects Planned in the Transportation Improvement Program and Regional
Transportation Plan
• Traffic Volumes for each Alternative Developed using the CTPS
Eastern Massachusetts Travel Demand Model
• Figures Show the comparison between conditions under each
alternative to the Future No Build scenario
December 4, 2013
13
Bowker Overpass Reconfiguration Alternatives
• Bowker Alternative 1: The Bowker Overpass is removed and all
movements are accommodated on the Charlesgate Roadways
• Bowker Alternative 2: The Bowker Overpass is lowered to an at-grade
roadway and the Charlesgate roadways are downgraded to provide
only local access
• Bowker Alternative 3: The Bowker Overpass is removed and a new
interchange is constructed connecting the Turnpike to Boylston Street
with the local connection to Storrow Drive maintained at Charlesgate
• Bowker Alternative 4: The Bowker Overpass is removed and a new
interchange is constructed connecting the Turnpike to Boylston Street
with the local connection to Storrow Drive provided by a new
interchange with Massachusetts Avenue
December 4, 2013
14
Bowker Alternative 1 – Bowker Overpass Removed
15
December 9, 2013
Bowker Overpass Alternative 1 – Bowker Overpass Removed
15
Bowker Alternative 1: Future Year LOS – AM Peak Hour
16
16
Bowker Alternative 1: Future Year LOS – AM Peak Hour
17
17
Bowker Alternative 1: Future Year LOS – PM Peak Hour
18
18
Bowker Alternative 1: Future Year LOS – PM Peak Hour
19
19
Bowker Alternative 2 – Bowker Overpass At-Grade
20
December 9, 2013
Bowker Overpass Alternative 2 – Bowker Overpass At-Grade
20
Bowker Alternative 2: Future Year LOS – AM Peak Hour
21
21
Bowker Alternative 2: Future Year LOS – AM Peak Hour
22
22
Bowker Alternative 2: Future Year LOS – PM Peak Hour
23
23
Bowker Alternative 2: Future Year LOS – PM Peak Hour
24
24
Bowker Alternative 3 – New Regional Access
25
December 9, 2013
Bowker Overpass Alternative 3 – New Regional Access
25