Project Fact Sheet
A MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECT
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Location: the I-90 (Massachusetts Turnpike) Allston Interchange is located in Boston’s Allston
neighborhood adjacent to the Charles River. Portions of the interchange are located above and next
to the now-vacant Beacon Park Yard, formerly operated by the CSX railroad.
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Role: the interchange is a significant part of the regional and local infrastructure carrying over
140,000 vehicles per day. Vehicles entering I-90 from the interchange can travel the highway to the
west making connections to I-95 and I-495. Eastbound, vehicles can connect to Logan Airport, I-93
North and South and downtown Boston. Vehicles which exit from the interchange generally make
local connections to Allston, Brighton, Cambridge or points accessible by Soldiers Field Road or
Memorial Drives.
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Project History: built as part of the Massachusetts Turnpike Extension in 1964-1965, the Allston
Interchange is home to a major toll plaza. The configuration of the interchange, which shifts to the
north from I-90’s east-west orientation, was constructed to avoid the Beacon Park Yard. The Allston
Viaduct, which is immediately east of the Interchange, dates from 1965 and is nearing the end of its
useful design life.
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Project Future: MassDOT is currently planning to convert the entire Massachusetts Turnpike to all
electronic tolling (AET) which will operate at highway speeds. Under these new conditions, the
curving alignment at the Allston Interchange can be reduced. In addition, the Beacon Park Yard
loading area will be eliminated and the track reconfigured to accommodate future commuter rail
expansion and station, and to maintain Grand Junction Railroad connections. The Allston Viaduct will
also be rebuilt to address its structural deficiencies.
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Project Opportunity: with the reduction in area of the Beacon Park Yard and the implementation of
all electronic tolling, the curvature of the Allston Interchange can be reduced to more closely follow
the general direction of I-90. Beginning in the spring of 2014, MassDOT will advance a Project
Development Process to determine how best to realign the interchange while improving transit,
walking, and cycling connections on the local roads around the Interchange, particularly Cambridge
Street in Allston.
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A Different Kind of Project: taking its cue from the lessons learned in the Commonwealth’s
landmark Accelerated Bridge Program, MassDOT will engage a task force team of local and regional
stakeholders to determine the best way to reconfigure the Allston Interchange and improve the
roadways around it. The general public is invited to participate through their representatives to the
task force team and public information meetings. A project website will also be launched in the
spring of 2014 to ensure the community can stay informed about the project.
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Project Status: the outreach for this project is just beginning. MassDOT anticipates having its first
public information meeting and launching its project website in April, 2014.
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Key Dates:
o Planning study: Spring-Summer 2014
o Submission of Environmental Notification Form: Summer-Fall 2014
o Submission of Environmental Assessment: 2015
o Submission of 25% design: 2016
o Begin design/build contract procurement: 2016
o Full contract award: 2017