STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE GREEN LINE’S Union Square stop will remain open this summer after all. State officials on Wednesday announced they will postpone a Somerville bridge construction project until September, in the process scrapping plans to shut down trolley service between Union Square and Lechmere for 42 days. Gov. Maura Healey’s office announced […]
Transportation
Posted inOpinion
Despite improvement, roads and bridges need more funding
AS THE HOUSE AND SENATE conference committee begins its work on the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, the Construction Industries of Massachusetts respectfully asks the conferees to maintain the 50/50 split of the Education and Transportation Fund but allocate a considerable percentage of the funds to our bridges, pavement, and congestion. The Fair Share tax, also […]
Posted inTransportation
Short circuit blamed for 2022 passenger death at Broadway Station
FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS have concluded that a short circuit on a Red Line train set off a chain of events in April 2022 that allowed a passenger trying to exit the vehicle at Broadway Station to get caught in the door and dragged to his death as the subway car accelerated and pulled away from the […]
Posted inTransportation
Eng mum on cause of slow zones, timetable for elimination
MBTA GENERAL MANAGER Phillip Eng on Monday touted progress in addressing slow zones on the subway system, but he declined to explain how the problem surfaced or provide a timeline of when it will be fully addressed. In a generally upbeat presentation to an oversight hearing of the Legislature’s Transportation Committee, Eng reported “making progress, […]
Posted inOpinion
Taking stock of the T after 6 months under Healey
IT’S BEEN ABOUT six months since the Healey-Driscoll Administration took office, an opportune moment to assess its performance in connection with the revitalization of the beleaguered MBTA. Let’s look at decisions regarding personnel, resources and actual outputs to get a clear picture of whether, and what kind of, progress is being made. From a personnel […]
Posted inMedia, Transportation
3 agencies, including MBTA, will pay Sumner mitigation costs
THE STATE HIGHWAY administrator said the traffic mitigation costs associated with the repairs of the Sumner Tunnel will be borne by the Department of Transportation, the MBTA, and the Massachusetts Port Authority. Jonathan Gulliver, the administrator, said it hasn’t been decided yet how the costs will be split among the three agencies. Chanda Smart, a […]
Posted inTransportation
Eng cites progress, but T speed restrictions on rise
MBTA GENERAL MANAGER Phillip Eng reported Thursday that the agency is making progress in eliminating slow zones on subway lines, but the T’s performance dashboard indicates the amount of track with speed restrictions is actually on the rise. In a presentation to the MBTA board of directors, Eng said 97 speed restrictions have been lifted […]
Posted inOpinion
Expanding South Station track capacity is not necessary
THE SOUTH STATION expansion plan once again is rearing its costly, business-as-usual head. The possible relocation of the Dorchester Avenue Postal Service facility presents an opportunity to drastically improve walkability, add mixed-use development, and enhance climate resilience in downtown Boston. Using much of that land to expand the number of tracks at South Station would […]
Posted inOpinion
Maybe tolls are the way to replace Cape bridges
REPLACEMENT OF THE Sagamore and Bourne bridges has become the highest priority of state transportation leaders and the Massachusetts congressional delegation. The state has signaled an intent to double its commitment, to $700 million from $350 million, to provide a local match for hoped-for federal dollars. The bridges are a federal asset, built and owned […]
Posted inCourts, State House News Service
Feds tell automakers not to comply with Mass. law
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION officials dealt a major blow to a voter-approved Massachusetts law boosting access to motor vehicle telematic data, warning that the measure on the state’s books “poses significant safety concerns.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Tuesday effectively told major automobile manufacturers not to comply with the state’s “right […]