Nashoba to host Summmer Olympics Events and the ski area did not even know about it.

[deadheadskier]

Excuse me sir, have you heard of the MBTA?

Yes, it sucks. We saw the MBTA in its craptacular glory this winter, didn't we. :lol:

Both the T and commuter rails need massive expansion to draw car traffic down. One of the massive failings of the Big Dig is that it should have eliminated North Station and had all trains run to South Station as a new expanded "central station". Having the corridor disrupted like it is makes no sense at all.

A circumferential T line along the 128 belt would do wonders to ease congestion and service the hundreds of technology companies that have set up shop in the past 20 years.

As for roads, I'd expand 495 to 5 lanes starting now. Plenty of land to do so. It would take at least a decade with all the bridges, but it would draw a bunch of traffic away from 128.

Open your wallets Mass residents. You've let your transportation system slide for too long.

Signed,

Low tax New Hampshire

 

[thetrailboss]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the State screw the MBTA by sticking it with the debt from the Big Dig?


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[Bostonian]

Yes, it sucks. We saw the MBTA in its craptacular glory this winter, didn't we. :lol:

Both the T and commuter rails need massive expansion to draw car traffic down. One of the massive failings of the Big Dig is that it should have eliminated North Station and had all trains run to South Station as a new expanded "central station". Having the corridor disrupted like it is makes no sense at all.

A circumferential T line along the 128 belt would do wonders to ease congestion and service the hundreds of technology companies that have set up shop in the past 20 years.

As for roads, I'd expand 495 to 5 lanes starting now. Plenty of land to do so. It would take at least a decade with all the bridges, but it would draw a bunch of traffic away from 128.

Open your wallets Mass residents. You've let your transportation system slide for too long.

Signed,

Low tax New Hampshire

Putting on my work hat... and I will deny working for the T if asked...

We do not need "expansion", we need investment into the already aged equipment. Meaning, new rail, signals, power and vehicles. Expansion would tax the system that is in place, and would not be able to support additional service above and beyond what is there now. Closing North Station would have presented equipment and capacity issues on the south side. Furthermore, there is one route between the north and south sides. You cannot get there from here (aside from the occasional freight train or moving a car set from the north to south side). Furthermore, the North Side has MUCH different needs than the south side.

A circumferential T along 128? Where would you put it? How would it have a transit nexus to the existing system? How would it get paid for? It's going to take 10 years to build out GLX, which is 4 miles or so of track, signal and etc... 128 which is 20-30 miles would take decades to get done for what? Having Keolis keep its commitments and delivery service on time would be better.

As for roadwork on 495, I couldn't talk much about that.. I deal in transit only

 

[deadheadskier]

I know DC is discussing a circ / beltway line for the metro. I don't see my 128 concept being too different.

 

[thetrailboss]

Only in MA would it take 10 years to lay four miles of track.


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[deadheadskier]

It is a significant project with 6 stations, but I agree 10 years seems long. More troubling is that discussion for it extended back until at least 1990. Sommerville is the most densely populated city in New England. This line should have been there 50 years ago.

 

[thetrailboss]

It is a significant project with 6 stations, but I agree 10 years seems long. More troubling is that discussion for it extended back until at least 1990. Sommerville is the most densely populated city in New England. This line should have been there 50 years ago.

Agreed.


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[Bostonian]

I know DC is discussing a circ / beltway line for the metro. I don't see my 128 concept being too different.

Discussions are one thing - actual planning and implementation are separate.

Only in MA would it take 10 years to lay four miles of track.


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Well, between lining up the funding (in this case - New Starts money), design (takes several years), environmental clearance (NEPA - Federal / 106 - Mass), construction itself in a densely populated neighborhood it's actually pretty damn good that it will only take 10 years to do the project.

It is a significant project with 6 stations, but I agree 10 years seems long. More troubling is that discussion for it extended back until at least 1990. Sommerville is the most densely populated city in New England. This line should have been there 50 years ago.

There were trolleys in the 20's and 30's but it was bustituted... It's a little more complicated to get a new line built than just dropping track.

 

[deadheadskier]

I'm aware it takes more than just dropping track. That said the GLX should be the first of many expansion projects.

There's some overall bad design in the system. I'm not familiar with the south side of the system, but a big problem with the North shore part of the system is none of the commuter line stops are convenient to 95. If there was a stop like Anderson for 93, it would potentially take a significant amount of cars off 95/1.

That's the type of planning the system needs. Where can we extend the T further out and how to make commuter line easy access to the highways to make it a better option for people than driving.

 

[thetrailboss]

Discussions are one thing - actual planning and implementation are separate.


Well, between lining up the funding (in this case - New Starts money), design (takes several years), environmental clearance (NEPA - Federal / 106 - Mass), construction itself in a densely populated neighborhood it's actually pretty damn good that it will only take 10 years to do the project.

OK, my sense from the previous comment was that the construction itself was taking 10 years. I understand that the design and fundraising part does take more time.

As to the latter, since you are in the know, is my comment about the Big Dig correct?

 

[freeski]

I have heard that the big dig debt or part of it is holding the T back. I don't know the details. Hey you have to put the debt on someone's books.
Does anyone believe Putin got the last winter games without paying bribes? I think they are as bad as the soccer thieves. The group trying to bring the games to Boston said they were not looking for public money/guaranties. Then it comes out they are. Keep the games out of Boston. I don't trust the people who run them.

 

[thetrailboss]

I have heard that the big dig debt or part of it is holding the T back. I don't know the details. Hey you have to put the debt on someone's books.
Does anyone believe Putin got the last winter games without paying bribes? I think they are as bad as the soccer thieves. The group trying to bring the games to Boston said they were not looking for public money/guaranties. Then it comes out they are. Keep the games out of Boston. I don't trust the people who run them.

I don't think that there is any question as to what Putin did. He clearly bought those games for his ego. He also wants a World Cup. If you get a chance, watch the PBS Frontline on Putin and his "governance". Pretty eyeopening.

 

[Jully]

I've heard the same thing about the MBTA and big dig debt

 

[Bostonian]

I'm aware it takes more than just dropping track. That said the GLX should be the first of many expansion projects.

There's some overall bad design in the system. I'm not familiar with the south side of the system, but a big problem with the North shore part of the system is none of the commuter line stops are convenient to 95. If there was a stop like Anderson for 93, it would potentially take a significant amount of cars off 95/1.

That's the type of planning the system needs. Where can we extend the T further out and how to make commuter line easy access to the highways to make it a better option for people than driving.

Expansion projects is not what the system needs... As I said in earlier posts, the MBTA needs to be focusing on our core system. Keep in mind, out of the all users of the system, the commuter rail represents only 11% of total ridership. Expansion will not serve the riders well and will only defer long overdue maintenance and midlife overhauls on all modes.

In terms of stops on the north side by 128 you have Anderson for the Commuter Rail, Riverside for the Green Line, Alewife for the Red Line. On the southside, you have Braintree... Along with Rt128 station in canton. Expansion isn't the answer again, it's differed maintenance which needs to be addressed.

OK, my sense from the previous comment was that the construction itself was taking 10 years. I understand that the design and fundraising part does take more time.

As to the latter, since you are in the know, is my comment about the Big Dig correct?

.
Yes the big dig did differ some debt to the MBTA, along with the Authority using its own bond money (not Federal funds), to build the Greenbush line (another expansion project with low ridership I might add) at a cost of $534 million Because of the continued incursion of debt and this push for expansion of service, core services have been neglected for years. The Big Dig debt alone was $1.65b and an additional $1.8b is for MBTA funded projects (expansion, vehicle procurement and etc). So out of the gates, the T was $3.45B in the hole - so for the T to focus on other projects rather than core SGR is just a recipe for disaster

 

[deadheadskier]

I agreed that Anderson is a great stop. It would be nice if there was something similar along 95 and route 1. There isn't a single station convenient to those roads which carry a massive amount of traffic into the city. A station right off the 95 around Lynnfield/Wakefield would help take thousands of cars off the road.

 

[VTKilarney]

I'm aware it takes more than just dropping track. That said the GLX should be the first of many expansion projects.

There's some overall bad design in the system. I'm not familiar with the south side of the system, but a big problem with the North shore part of the system is none of the commuter line stops are convenient to 95. If there was a stop like Anderson for 93, it would potentially take a significant amount of cars off 95/1. .

And there's nothing to Nashua as well.


.

 

[VTKilarney]

Expansion projects is not what the system needs... As I said in earlier posts, the MBTA needs to be focusing on our core system.

It has been proven that expansion merely leads to more sprawl. The same is true of adding lanes to highways. Within a short period of time the wider highway is just as choked as it was before the expansion. It's a losing proposition. What we need is better thought out housing that is closer to urban cores. We also need people to stop thinking that McMansions are the best form of housing development. We also need to restructure retail development so that it is not so car-dependent. Taft Corners in Williston, Vermont is the perfect example of a poorly designed retail development. You have to use your car to go from store to store, which chokes the intersections around the retail space.

 

[Domeskier]

What Boston needs is to set up some more canoe slalom courses on the Charles. And maybe some dedicated speed-walking lanes on that pilgrim hat highway. But probably the best way to get people out of cars is to let them commute by trampoline. Bostonian - I'm available if you guys are hiring.

 

[elks]

I used to be 100% against the idea. I've done a complete 180. Massachusetts transportation infrastructure is so inadequate for the population of people that live there. Billions need to be spent on roads and rail. If the Olympics help address that, sign me up. Sorry MA taxpayers. :lol:

I completely agree. It will never get done in my lifetime otherwise. Maybe they'll even connect Boston to NY with a real high speed corridor.

 

[elks]

Can you imagine the amount of people and traffic trying to get through Crosby's Corner on Route 2 alone!

The Crosby's Corner overpass should be complete by next year, I believe. Should vastly improve traffic as you'll be able to drive regular speed through that turn.