This year holds promise that federal grants can resolve multiple transportation challenges in Massachusetts. Over the past two years, state government has pursued large federal infrastructure funds to advance big projects like the repair of the Cape Cod Canal bridges and the realignment of the Massachusetts Turnpike in Allston.
Only recently did Massachusetts find success with the announcement that almost $400 million is now promised to repair the Sagamore Bridge. Now, our attention should turn to Allston, where there is a rare opportunity to fix a transportation system and create lasting economic benefits that will propel the entire region for decades.
The I-90 Allston Multimodal Project is more than just a road repair project; it would completely redesign and replace an elevated section of highway to deliver safer lanes for drivers, expanded access to transit, and a new mixed-use neighborhood.
By realigning the elevated highway lanes, the state and city of Boston can open up 40 acres of developable land for new housing – 20 percent of which will be affordable – and commerce. This area would then supported by a new transportation hub on the Worcester- Framingham commuter rail line called West Station that also allows for seamless bus and shuttle connections throughout Greater Boston. This is truly a once-in-a-generation chance to transform a structurally-deficient highway into a vibrant transit-orientated development that benefits travelers throughout Greater Boston.
Closing Historic Wounds
The Biden administration is currently considering this project within a competitive grant program that intends to reconnect communities harmed by the transportation infrastructure decisions from the past. The I-90 Allston Multimodal Project should be an ideal match because it does reconnect a community while also advancing many important goals related to reducing greenhouse gases, expanding affordable housing and investing in environmental justice neighborhoods. MassDOT is requesting $500 million through this program and the winning applications are expected to be announced in February.
In 1965, the construction of the Allston section of I-90 created an the eight-lane elevated highway that bulldozed and divided a vibrant working-class community, shut down passenger rail stations and brough negative impacts to a riverfront habitat. Today’s design plans for the new project would bring parts of the turnpike down to ground level to create a safe network of road, bike and pedestrian connections in Allston and reestablish proper access to the Charles River.
Residents and community leaders in Allston have worked together for a decade with the business community, and transportation and environmental organizations to achieve this vision.
This project not only fixes the past, but it sets up the future. More than 40 acres of land can be repurposed for a new community development and business activity in an area called Beacon Park Yards. This space can become the next vibrant business district of Greater Boston, because of its close proximity to Harvard University, Boston University and MIT, as well as future connections to the Longwood Medical Area and Kendall Square. To reach its full potential, it will require a robust West Station and transit connections that give access to these new jobs.
Massive Return on Investment
The return on the project’s investment in this district is significant. A Beter City helped produce an economic benefits study that forecasts the development at Beacon Park Yard enabled by the I-90 Allston Multimodal Project would produce $6.4 billion in annual economic activity, 24,300 jobs construction jobs and 12,400 permanent onsite jobs, $151 million a year in state income, sales and hotel taxes, and $87 million a year in Boston property taxes.
With the connections possible from West Station, job access extends to the Gateway Cities of Worcester, Salem, Lynn and Brockton, as well as many other neighborhoods along the MBTA Orange and Red Lines. This is not just a neighborhood improvement project in Allston, but a location that will benefit people living throughout Eastern Massachusetts.
It is also the largest transportation project and mixed-use development opportunity in the Greater Boston region that seeks a federal infrastructure grant. Gov. Maura Healey and her team, together with the commonwealth’s Congressional delegation, deserve great praise for their success in winning the large award for the Sagamore Bridge, but the Greater Boston region also deserves to receive a major financial award and signature project from the Biden administration’s infrastructure program. The I-90 project is worthy of federal support and the best chance for Boston to win something in the highly competitive race for federal dollars.
This is why the business community and transportation advocates continue to highlight the potential of this project to federal officials at the U.S. Department of Transportation and within Biden administration. The award for the Sagamore Bridge is a big deal, but hopefully it is not the only major award that comes to Massachusetts.
In the next few weeks, the effort and planning started years ago from advocates, community business leaders, and elected officials will ultimately succeed in winning a large federal grant to reconnect Allston and make this transformative project become a reality.
Rick Dimino is president emeritus of A Better City and a member of the MassDOT Board of Directors.
