help me understand the Multimodal project status

[Jeff Klein]

Hi neighbors, 

I was trying to explain to my kid the Allston Multimodal Project and I-90 viaduct replacement the other day, and I realized that I really don't know where things stand.  

Can anyone explain to me where we're at, realistically, on this?  Specifically, here are the facts, as I understand them... please correct anything that doesn't sound right:

1. The highway viaduct is old and crumbling and needs repair.  

2. Rather than repairing it as is, planners got to thinking that they could move the current path of the highway, using the old CSX property to eliminate a big and unnecessary curve.

3. This would help traffic, but also allow for a lot of new land to be developed into housing and new streets.

4. This new land could also be centered around a public transit hub that connects the commuter line, T lines, buses and bike paths.  A "West Station" akin to North Station and South Station.  

5. Harvard owns a bunch of this land and is also throwing money toward the transit idea, since a rising tide lifts all boats and it's empirically a good thing. 

6. When the actual design came into play, there were concerns about how to route Soldier's Field road, the new Pike, and an expanded bike path all in the same space without affecting the Charles River banks, and lots of people were worried.  

7. [HERE'S WHERE I'M JUST GUESSING] Because of this public opposition, the plans went back to the drawing board, and now a project that was supposed to be completed by 2030 won't likely even start until 2028, if at all.  

8. The Trump Administration, in its infinite wisdom, rescinded $327 million that was already promised for the project because they were afraid it would lead to more clean public transit and more equity, two things they really hate. 

9. Now they might just scrap everything and just fix the viaduct as it is?  I really hope I'm wrong on this.  

So I guess my questions are:

1. How accurate is my understanding above? 

2. What is the ACTUAL current status of the project?

3. When will anything happen on said project, if at all? 

I'm really not trying to be snarky or incendiary or anything remotely like that, I just can't seem to get a concise explanation of what's really happening and when.  

Thanks to everyone who is so on top of helping our community and keeping us in the loop.  Especially now, it really matters!

Cheers,

jeff

[Will Brownsberger]

A couple of comments:  

They actually are repairing the viaduct, recognizing that the process is moving slowly.

While it is moving slowly due to the complex stakeholder process, I don't think the project will ever be scrapped -- it makes too much sense.  MassDOT is still working the design and permitting process.  The federal funding loss is material, but not a deal breaker.

/w.

Will Brownsberger
Cell: 617-771-8274

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