Welcome
Public Meeting #4
September 13, 2011
Today’s Agenda
Open House
Project Overview, Schedule & Budget
Planning & Design Process
Pedestrian and Bicycle Connections
4 Draft Alternatives
Preliminary Traffic Model
Visualizing the Future
MOEs - Evaluation Criteria - Purpose
Next Steps
Project Overview, Schedule, Budget
Why We Are Here
• Deteriorated bridge is at the end of its
useful life. Must be demolished
• Historic Opportunity
• Study to investigate alternatives
– Mobility – Livability
– Emerald Necklace Link
– Better at-grade modal connections
• Community Input
Accelerated Bridge Program Opportunity
•
•
•
Current Bridge Condition
Available Funding
Schedule and Opportunity
PLANNING
STUDY
2011
DESIGN
2012
DEMOLITION AND CONSTRUCTION
2013
2014
2015
Community Involvement Throughout Project
Select Alternative
Design Review
Construction Staging & Traffic Management
Phasing
Meetings
2016
The Partnership
MassDOT – Highway and Transit
Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR)
City of Boston
Consultant Team
Working Advisory Group (WAG)
Planning & Design Process
Public Process – Objectives & Schedule
The Path Design Has Taken
Improving
Mobility
And Livability
Planning Study Schedule
PUBLIC MEETINGS
1
EXISTING
CONDITIONS
APR
SELECTION CRITERIA &
INITIAL CONCEPTS
MAY
4
3
2
ALTERNATIVES
EVALUATION
CONCEPT
DEVELOPMENT
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
5
RECOMMENDED
ALTERNATIVE
OCT
NOV
Planning Study Meeting Schedule
Meeting 1 Project Purpose, Goals and Existing
Conditions
Meeting 2 Issues & Opportunities, Evaluation
Criteria, 2035 Traffic Projections,
Framework for Design Elements
Meeting 3 Development of Design Concepts,
Refinement of Evaluation Criteria
Meeting 4 Develop Draft Alternatives, Finalize
Evaluation Criteria (MOEs)
Meeting 5 Apply MOEs, Selection of Recommended
Alternative
The Design Process
The Context for Developing Alternatives
Goal: Mid-October 2011
The Designer General’s WARNING:
The tools we use today for designing and drawing,
principally AutoCAD and other software programs,
make the process faster, more efficient and make
coordination between drawings easier.
There is an unfortunate side effect of AutoCAD
which is the hard-line style makes all drawings
look more finished, more thought out than they
may actually be.
This often leads people to incorrectly conclude that
concepts and ideas shown at the early stages of a
design process are finished designs.
Let us assure you: this is not the case.
Pedestrian & Bicycle
Corridor Connections
Corridor Pedestrian and Bike Connections – At-Grade
Concept: Connect Southwest Corridor Park,
Arnold Arboretum, Franklin Park, Forest Hills
Cemetery and the MBTA station
Southwest
Corridor
Park
Arnold
Arboretum
Franklin
Park
MBTA
Station
Arnold
Arboretum
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE
DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS PRELIMINARY AND
CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
Forest Hills
Cemetery
Draft as of: 8-17-2011
At Grade Example Components
Sidewalk
Southwest
Corridor
Park
Off-Street
Bicycle Path
On-Street Bike
Lane
Arnold
Arboretum
Franklin
Park
MBTA
Station
Wide
Crosswalks
Arnold
Arboretum
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE
DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS PRELIMINARY AND
CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
Special
Treatment at
Merge Areas
Forest Hills
Cemetery
Draft as of: 8-17-2011
New Washington Street – At-Grade
Merge Areas –
Special Treatment
Sidewalk
On-Street Bike Lane
Off-Street Bicycle Path
MBTA
STATION
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE
DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS PRELIMINARY AND
CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
LEGEND
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
Draft as of: 8-17-2011
New Washington Street Area – Bridge
Southwest
Corridor
Park
Merge Areas –
Special Treatment
LEGEND
Sidewalk
On-Street Bike Lane
Off-Street Bicycle Path
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE
DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS PRELIMINARY AND
CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
Draft as of: 8-17-2011
Draft Alternatives:
1) Split Bridge & Shea Circle
2) Single Bridge
3) At-Grade Narrow Median
4) At- Grade Wide Median
Existing Corridor View
Draft Alternative #1:
Split Bridge
Draft Alternative #1: Split Bridge - Work In Progress
LEGEND
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS
PRELIMINARY AND CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
Draft Alternative #1: Split Bridge - Work In Progress
LEGEND
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS
PRELIMINARY AND CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
Draft Alternative #1: Split Bridge - Work In Progress
LEGEND
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS
PRELIMINARY AND CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
Draft Alternative #1: Split Bridge - Work In Progress
LEGEND
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS
PRELIMINARY AND CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
Shea Circle Area
Shea Circle: Roundabout
WORK IN PROGRESS
LEGEND
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS
PRELIMINARY AND CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
Shea Circle: Eggabout
LEGEND
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS
PRELIMINARY AND CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
Shea Circle: Eggabout & Shea Square
LEGEND
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS
PRELIMINARY AND CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS
PRELIMINARY AND CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
Draft Alternative #2:
Single Bridge
Draft Alternative #2: Single Bridge - Work In Progress
LEGEND
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS
PRELIMINARY AND CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
Draft Alternative #2: Single Bridge - Work In Progress
LEGEND
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS
PRELIMINARY AND CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
Draft Alternative #2: Single Bridge - Work In Progress
FOREST HILLS
MBTA STATION
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS
PRELIMINARY AND CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
LEGEND
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
Draft Alternative #2: Single Bridge - Work In Progress
LEGEND
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS
PRELIMINARY AND CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
Bridge Draft Alternatives
DESIGN DIRECTION
Most Working Group members prefer the single bridge - minimal shadows, more
open space
Single bridge should not accommodate pedestrians if provided with
good connections and crossing at - grade
Preference for bikes and vehicles ONLY on a split bridge as multiple on and offstreet bike-ways created at-grade
Minimize the length and height of bridge
Eliminate the unusable space at the approaches of the bridge at the low ends by
using walled-in sections
Sidewalks and off-street bike paths should be located on the outsides of the
corridor and designed as an extension of the Southwest Corridor Park,
separating bikes from pedestrians when possible
At-Grade
Draft Alternative #3: Wide Median
Draft Alternative #3: Wide Median - Work In Progress
LEGEND
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS
PRELIMINARY AND CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
Draft Alternative #3: Wide Median - Work In Progress
LEGEND
FOREST HILLS
MBTA STATION
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS
PRELIMINARY AND CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
Draft Alternative #3: Wide
Median - Work In Progress
LEGEND
FOREST HILLS
MBTA STATION
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS
PRELIMINARY AND CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
At-Grade
Draft Alternative #4: Narrow Median
Draft Alternative #4: Narrow Median - Work In Progress
LEGEND
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS
PRELIMINARY AND CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
Draft Alternative #4: Narrow Median - Work In Progress
LEGEND
FOREST HILLS
MBTA STATION
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS
PRELIMINARY AND CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
Draft Alternative #4: Narrow Median - Work In Progress
COURTHOUSE
LEGEND
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS
PRELIMINARY AND CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
Draft Alternative #4: Narrow
Median - Work In Progress
FOREST HILLS
MBTA STATION
THE DESIGNER GENERAL’S WARNING: THE DESIGN SHOWN HERE IS
PRELIMINARY AND CONCEPTUAL, DESPITE THE HARD-LINE FINISHED
STYLE OF THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED.
LEGEND
Sidewalk
On Street Bike Path
Off Road Bike Path
Multi Use Path
Crosswalk
Transitional Area
At-Grade Draft Alternatives
DESIGN DIRECTION
Preference for a Medium Median Alternative to be developed
with shortened pedestrian crossings and widened median at
bow-tie sections
Sidewalks and off-street bike paths should be located on the
outsides of the corridor and designed as an extension of, and
connecting the adjacent parks (e.g., Southwest Corridor, Franklin
Park, Arboretum, South Street, Emerald Necklace) and bike
network, separating bikes from pedestrians when possible
Traffic Model - Preview
Based on the Draft Alternative #3 – At
Grade
Bus Route #39 located on New Washington Street
AM Peak Hour Includes:
Pedestrian, Bicycle and Vehicular Movements
SEE VIDEO FILES SAVED SEPARATELY FOR
TRAFFIC SIMULATION EXAMPLES.
Visualizing the Future
Preliminary Draft Perspectives
View 1
Arborway Yard towards Courthouse
EXISTING
AT GRADE
BRIDGE
View 2
Southwest Corridor Park towards Forest Hills Station
EXISTING
AT GRADE
BRIDGE
View 3
New Washington Street corridor looking east
EXISTING
AT GRADE
BRIDGE
View 4
South Street towards Arnold Arboretum
EXISTING
AT GRADE
BRIDGE
Measures of Evaluation
Final MOEs
Next Steps
Working Group Direction
• Draft Final Alternatives
• Revise Alternatives (if
necessary) and apply MOEs
• Regional Traffic Modeling
(Diversions)
• Refined Local Traffic Analysis
• 3-D model of Recommended
Alternatives
Planning Study Meeting Schedule
Meeting 1 Project Purpose, Goals and Existing
Conditions
Meeting 2 Issues & Opportunities, Evaluation
Criteria, 2035 Traffic Projections,
Framework for Design Elements
Meeting 3 Development of Design Concepts,
Refinement of Evaluation Criteria
Meeting 4 Develop Draft Alternatives, Finalize
Evaluation Criteria (MOEs)
Meeting 5 Apply MOEs, Selection of Recommended
Alternative
Meeting Schedule in 2011
Meeting #5 –Final Alternatives & MOEs
for Recommended Alternative
Working Group Meeting #5A: September 28th
Working Group Meeting #5B: October 12th
Questions?
Comments!