The Transportation Committee
The highways that are built to sustain our sprawling suburbs add to
our pollution and energy problems, and increase our dependence on an
auto-centric way of life which is unhealthy, anti-social, and
unsustainable. The Big Dig drained fiscal support away from
maintaining the deteriorating highways that we already have and from
expanding our public transit infrastructure, beyond a few
ill-conceived projects like the "Silver Line" bus and the "Urban Ring"
busway.
These are some of the many transportation items that we've been
working on:
Increase Funding for the State's RTAs
There are 15 Reguional Transit Authorities (RTAs) in
Massachusetts, all of which require assistance from the tate to
continue serving their customers. RTA funding, for those other than
the MBTA, has fallen by 5 percent since 2009, despite sharp increases
in operating expenses. Long-term solutions to financing all RTAs
has been put on hold until the next legislation session, but if the
bailout compromise serves as an indication, those solutions may bring
a more regionally equitable approach to public transit in
Massachusetts.
Central Massachusetts Rail “Knowledge Corridor”
Connecticut has been upgrading its Amtrak line from New Haven to
Hartford and Springfield, increasing the frequency of its passenger
service to hourly; and Vermont has just rebuilt its line from the
Massachu-setts line nearly to the Canadian border, with the intention of
eventually extending Am-trak’s “Vermonter” to Montreal. Massachusetts is
currently purchasing the tracks be-tween Springfield and Vermont, which
it will rebuild to connect the two lines and pro-vide more direct,
frequent passenger service in the Connecticut River Valley. Coupled with
a planned upgrade of the tracks from Springfield to Worcester, these
improvements will also allow for the resumption of Boston-New York
service along the “Inland Route.”
Boston North-South Rail Link
Boston's North and South Stations are a little over a mile
apart, separating Boston’s two commuter rail networks and forcing Amtrak
passengers who are continuing to Maine to make an awkward cross-town
transfer to get to their connecting train (Amtrak's website recommends
taking a taxi). Linking the two stations with a tunnel would allow for
direct train service from New York to Portland, and improve the
operational efficiencies of connecting Boston’s north and south side
commuter rail systems.
MBTA Green Line Extension
This project is one of the 1990 Central Artery Transit Mitigation
Commitments still outstanding. Currently in planning and scheduled to
start construction during the coming year, it would extend the Green
Line from its present terminus at Lechmere Square in East Cambridge,
into Somerville and Medford.
MBTA's Red Line/Blue Line Connector
Another one of the Central Artery Commitments, this project would
extend the Blue Line ¼ mile to Charles station, allowing for a direct
transfer between Boston’s two rapid transit lines that currently lack
such a connection and relieving pressure on the existing downtown
transfer stations. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has
petitioned to be excused from this Commitment based on fiscal
considerations, a move that the Chapter and many other community groups
strongly oppose.
MBTA Silver Line/Blue Hill Ave Corridor Transit Improvements
In 1987 the MBTA abandoned the old Orange Line elevated above
Washington Street, without the provision of the promised light rail
replacement service to Dudley Square. Ever since, the residents of
Roxbury and North Dorchester have had to make do with the slow and
overcrowded “Silver Line” bus. The Chapter has long advocated for rail
on this busy route. Several years ago state transportation planners
convened a community process to assess and design appropriate public
transportation infrastructure for the corridor through Dudley and along
Blue Hill Avenue to Mattapan Square; many members of the surrounding
communities strongly believe the route should be served by some form of
rail transit.
Join the Chapter Transportation Committee us to help the
Sierra Club encourage public transit and pedestrian- and
bicycle-friendly neighborhoods.
Contact John Kyper - see
contacts page for more.
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