Welcome
Public Meeting #3
June 29, 2011
Purpose: 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 Study
Public Process – Objectives & Schedule
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 Establish Alternatives, Apply Evaluation
Criteria (MOEs)
Meeting 5 Selection of Preferred Alternative
6
Planning Study Schedule
PUBLIC
MEETINGS
1
EXISTING
CONDITIONS
MAR
3
2
APR
SELECTION CRITERIA &
INITIAL CONCEPTS
MAY
4
CONCEPT
DEVELOPMENT
JUN
JUL
5
ALTERNATIVES
EVALUATION
AUG
RECOMMENDED
ALTERNATIVE
SEP
Today’s Agenda
Design Process & Concepts
Three Sub-Areas At-Grade
Bridge Concept
Evaluation Criteria
Next Steps
The Design Process
The Context for Developing Alternatives
Design Concepts:
Sub-Area At-Grade Concepts
1. New Washington Street
2. Shea Circle (Schematic)
3. MBTA Station, Washington, Asticou
and South Streets
Bridge Concept
Design Challenges &
Opportunities
The Corridor Along
New Washington Street
Corridor
Corridoras
asaaBlank
BlankSlate
Slate
Arborway Yard
Arnold
Arboretum
Casey Overpass
Franklin
Park
T
Morton Street
Forest Hills
Cemetery
Maximize Flexibility
Arborway Yard
Arnold
Arboretum
Casey Overpass
Franklin
Park
T
Morton Street
Forest Hills
Cemetery
Simplify Street Network
T
Opportunity Replace Critical Missing Link
T
Orange Line Vent Stack
Orange Line Exit Stair
Commuter Rail Vent Grate
Route 39 Bus Loop
DRAFT
Existing Elements on
One Possible Road
Configuration
DRAFT
Accommodate Route
DRAFT
39
Bus Loop on Street
DRAFT
DRAFT
DRAFT
Reshape Commuter
Rail Vent Grate
DRAFT
DRAFT
Rotate Orange Line
Vent Stack
DRAFT
DRAFT
Move Stair Northward
Viable At Grade
Sub–Area Design Elements
New Washington Street Area
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.
Increased Open Space
Removal of bridge
restores sight lines
Wide pedestrian friendly
median with landscaping
Restricted left turns
complicate access
No direct link between
SWCP and MBTA
Accommodates
all movements
Wide pedestrian friendly
median with landscaping
Curb side queuing
For taxis and buses
Adds travel distance for
east-west left turns
Additional signals
DRAFT
Reduces turning
restrictions to one
Intersections move
large traffic volumes
Pedestrian crossings
of two lanes or less
Decision points occur
before intersection
Complicated access
points for all users
Viable At Grade
Sub–Area Design Elements
Shea Circle Area –Schematic ONLY
DRAFT
DRAFT SIGNAL
SCHEMES
DRAFT
DRAFT
DRAFT ROTARY
SCHEMES
DRAFT
Revised At Grade
Sub–Area Design Elements
MBTA Station/
Washington/Asticou-South Streets
EXISTING CONDITIONS
Double signals at Viaduct
Conflicts at South Street
S-curve at exit drive
Cars parked at Asticou Street
Conflicts at taxi stand
2 250’ bus aisles
Connection between SW
Corridor and Blackwell
Footpath at the Arboretum
GOALS
Improve circulation
Address growth opportunity for
Forest Hills Station
Taking advantage of MBTA parcel
development
SOURCES
Forest Hill Improvement Initiative
Working Advisory group
Extend Southwest Corridor
Extend Southwest Corridor
Provide Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Areas
Extend Southwest Corridor
Provide Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Areas
Relocate & Expand Taxi
Stand
Extend Southwest Corridor
Provide Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Areas
Relocate & Expand Taxi
Stand
Extend Bicycle Lanes
Extend Southwest Corridor
Provide Pick-Up/Drop-Off
Areas
Relocate & Expand Taxi
Stand
Extend Bicycle Lanes
Route 39 Bus Stop
ANOTHER OPTION
Route 39 Bus Stop
• Requires expansion to
accommodate additional
buses
• Expansion provides for
future growth in service
ANOTHER OPTION
Route 39 Bus Stop
Bus Lane with Priority
Signal
• Allows buses priority
through intersection
• Minimizes trip time
• Reduces conflict with other
vehicles
ANOTHER OPTION
Route 39 Bus Stop
Bus Lane with Priority
Signal
Relocated Taxi Stand
•Relieves congestion
•Reduces conflicts between
pedestrians and vehicles
• Centrally located
Bridge Concept
with
Improved Street Network
Bridge View: Existing and Simple Option: (Previously Seen)
DRAFT
Evaluation Criteria
The Goals, Objectives and
Measures
Sequence for Developing Principles and Goals
•Previous studies and plans in the area
•Federal Sustainability/Livability
•MassDOT/GreenDOT goals
•City of Boston Complete Streets
•Working Advisory Group
Evaluation Criteria (Measures of Evaluation)
•Why measures are important – Allow for Balanced
Analysis of Designs
•How measures will be used –Identify a Preferred
Alternative
Guiding Principles
• Improve safety for all users.
• Address a structurally deficient bridge.
• Protect and respect the design for Arborway Yard.
• Develop alternatives that meet Accelerated Bridge
Program budget and schedule.
Guiding Principles
• Adopt Principles of Universal Design
(accessible and barrier-free design).
• Strive to have an inclusive process for the sharing
of information.
• Improve quality of life for residents.
• Integrate artistic elements in designs.
Goals & Measurable Objectives (2-3 measures/objective or 12 - 15 Total)
Goals
Original
Objectives
Measurable
Objectives
Improve roadway geometry to enhance circulation for all
modes and users.
21
5
Improve access, modal and intermodal local and regional
corridor connections to promote transportation choices
14
3
Integrate sustainability into design concepts
11
4
Remove barriers for neighborhood connections and
integrate transit into economic centers and residential
areas
21
3
Create a destination and Sense of Place and celebrate
the area’s architectural, transportation and open space
history
17
2
9
2
93
19
Improve the visibility, connectivity and access to gateway
open spaces
Total
Next Steps
Working Group Direction
• Finalize a list of 12 to 15
measureable objectives for
Evaluation Criteria
Alternatives Development and
Analysis
• Draft set of Alternatives (at-grade
and bridge)
• Regional Traffic Modeling
(Diversions)
• Refined Local Traffic Analysis
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 Establish Alternatives, Apply Evaluation
Criteria (MOEs)
Meeting 5 Selection of Preferred Alternative
Meeting Schedule in 2011
Meeting #4 – Select Alternatives
Working Group Meeting #4a: July 13th
Working Group Meeting #4b: July 27th
Public Meeting & Open House #4: August 3rd
Questions?
Comments!