Transportation

Seniors Invited to Apply for MBTA CharlieCards at Local Event

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger announced he will sponsor a Senior CharlieCard Day on Monday, June 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Beech Street Center, located at 266 Beech Street in Belmont. Seniors age 65 or older can save a trip to the MBTA offices in Downtown Boston and apply for a Senior CharlieCard at this event. Staff from the Office of Senator Brownsberger will be on hand to take photos and process applications, which will be provided. Seniors will just need to bring a valid, state-issued photo ID that includes date of birth. No advance sign-up required.

Arsenal Street

See MassDOT’s Recommendations for Improvements to Arsenal Street

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has released a draft of the report and recommendations for improving the Arsenal Street Corridor, and officials will host a meeting later in June to discuss the report with the public. 

The report made for MassDOT by consultants from VHB, includes improvements to vehicular, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian uses of the corridor, “with a targeted focus on enhancements to bus service along Arsenal Street and locations where the bus service ties into other crossing bus routes,” according to the MassDOT announcement. Click here to see the draft Final Report. The meeting will be held on Thursday, June 22 starting with a presentation at 6 p.m. and an open house from 7 to 8 p.m. The meeting will be in the Watertown Savings Bank Room at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St. In the draft final report, MassDOT officials write that the recommendations would require “a significant investment in potential transportation-related infrastructure.” “These projects represent an investment in total that currently far exceeds available funding as presently programmed.

Development

Ordinance Requires New Developments to Cut Number of Solo Drivers

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The Town Council passed regulations that would require new developments to work on reducing the number of people making solo driving trips to and from their business or residential property. 

The new Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Ordinance (see details here) applies to new projects, and at their May 9 meeting Councilors said it puts into policy a practice it has had with developments over the past few years. Some residents worried that it would prevent them from using their car freely around town. Creating a TDM plan is required for developments of 10,000 square feet or more or residential projects with 10 or more units, if the project requires a special permit and site plan review from the town. It also applies to projects that projects that generate 150 average daily trips (someone driving to and from a complex would count as two trips), or more than 15 at peak hours that current previous conditions. Plans could include steps like educating employees or residents about public transit options, providing free MBTA passes, organizing carpools and providing facilities for people bicycling to work to cleanup and dress for work.

Shuttle

Will Watertown TMA be Managed by Own Director or Consulting Firm?

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As the Watertown TMA moves towards reality, the board of directors must make some key decisions, including whether it will be managed by a devoted executive director of a team from a consulting firm. Consultant Allison Simmons of Ease Connect told the Town Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on Transportation that she does not strongly favor either option for management of the Watertown TMA (Transportation Management Association). She hopes that the official launch of the Watertown TMA will be in July. She anticipates that slightly more than half the $158,000 budget will go toward salaries. The pros of a full-time executive director include that the person would be dedicated to the Watertown TMA, however the person would have to do everything.

Development

Council Stresses Importance of Transportation Planner, Worried About Development

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The position of Transportation Planner has been discussed for years and the town has searched for someone to fill the role, but has struggled to find someone qualified to do the job. Tuesday night the Town Council stressed to Community Development and Planning Department Director Steve Magoon that they want the position filled. 

The Transportation Planner would deal with issues such as traffic, public transportation and the planned Watertown shuttle. Magoon appeared before the Council for his budget hearing. During the discussion, Councilors also worry that the Planning Department has enough resources to deal with all the development in town. Filling the Transportation Planner position has been high on Magoon’s list.

Transportation

MassDOT Warns Mass Pike Lane Closures Coming This Weekend

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has announced the following travel impacts on I-90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) eastbound in the area of the Allston/Brighton Viaduct in order to safely allow for continued toll demolition and road reconstruction operations during off-peak weekend travel:

• From 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., on Friday, May 12, traffic will be reduced from 3 travel lanes to 2 travel lanes on I-90 eastbound through this area. • From 11 p.m. on Friday, May 12, to 8 a.m. on Saturday May 13, traffic will be reduced from 2 travel lanes to 1 travel lanes on I-90 eastbound through this area. • From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday May 13, traffic will be restored to 2 travel lanes on I-90 eastbound through this area. • By 2 p.m. on Saturday May 13, all 3 travel lanes through the work area will be restored in the new traffic alignment. Drivers are advised to remain aware when traveling through this area as there will be changing traffic patterns and roadway alignments as crews conduct construction operations.

Government

Upcoming Meeting Will Cover Redesign of Mt. Auburn St., Work on Belmont St.

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Plans to redesign the Mt. Auburn Street Corridor will be discussed at a meeting in Cambridge on Monday, May 8. The City of Cambridge’s Department of Traffic, Parking and Transportation will host a neighborhood meeting on Monday, May 8 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.at the Russell Youth Center at 680 Huron Ave. in Cambridge. The meeting will focus on the design plans of the Mt.

Government

Athenahealth Honored by State for Commute Options Offered to Employees

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) recently celebrated over 200 Massachusetts businesses, colleges, and universities at the seventh annual Massachusetts Excellence in Commuter Options (ECO) Awards ceremony. Attendees were recognized for their efforts in promoting active, healthy, and sustainable travel options programs at their local worksites, including one in Watertown, MassDOT announceds. The event, held at historic Fenway Park, brings together businesses and institutions from across the Commonwealth that provide innovative programs and resources to encourage employees to commute by public transit, carpool, vanpool, bicycling, walking, or teleworking. “MassDOT is proud of the strides that employers are taking to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the Commonwealth,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “Through partnerships with employers, we are able to provide information on available commuter transportation resources to a greater audience.