MassDOT: I-90 Allston Multimodal Project 2024

[Anthony D'Isidoro]

I-90 Allston Multimodal Project 2024 

The I-90 Allston Multimodal Project continues to progress towards its goal of dramatically improving livability and connectivity for residents in Allston. This project update will share recent developments, key dates, and where to find more information. 

Recent Project Developments 

Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant (RCN) 

MassDOT and the City of Boston were awarded a USDOT Federal discretionary grant of $335.4 million to advance the design and construction of the I-90 Allston Multimodal Project. To learn more about the grant program, visit www.transportation.org/reconnection. 

Working Groups 

The I-90 Allston Multimodal project team convened four Working Groups to discuss critical elements of design needed to advance documentation and analysis for environmental filings. The Working Groups began in mid-summer and will continue through early fall. To learn more about the Working Group structure and process, visit www.mass.gov/info-details/2024-i-90-allston-multimodal-project-working-groups. 

1. The Throat Area/Charles River Working Group will discuss the Charles River shoreline, its parklands, and the Paul Dudley White Path. To learn about the Working Group and view meeting materials, visit www.mass.gov/info-details/2024-throat-area-charles-river-working-group. 

2. The Multimodal Local Street Network Working Group will discuss design alternatives for the dedicated bus lanes; sidewalks and cycle tracks; and travel and turning lanes. To learn about the Working Group and view meeting materials, visit www.mass.gov/info-details/2024-multimodal-local-street-network-working-group. 

3. The Multimodal Local Connection Working Group will discuss design alternatives for the Franklin Street Pedestrian Bridge, the Agganis Way Pedestrian Bridge, and the South Side Buffer Path. To learn about the Working Group and view meeting materials, visit www.mass.gov/info-details/2024-multimodal-local-connections-working-group. 

4. The Rail and Transit Working Group will discuss design alternatives for rail and platform infrastructure and bus concourse configuration. To learn more about the Working Group and view meeting materials, visit www.mass.gov/info-details/2024-rail-and-transit-working-group. 

Ongoing Coordination 

I-90 Allston Multimodal Task Force 

The project team continues to meet with the Task Force to share project updates, relay information from other agencies, and gather feedback on the designs. The next Task Force meeting is being planned for the third week of October. To view the presentation shared at the most recent Task Force meeting on June 10, visit https://www.mass.gov/lists/documents-and-2024-meeting-materials-allston-multimodal-project

River Users The project team met with various Charles River stakeholders to share the design options for the shoreline and parkland in the Charles River/Throat Area. Comments from this meeting informed the project team on how different elements of the design impact River Users. To view the presentation shared at the April 24 River User meeting, visit https://www.mass.gov/lists/documents-and-2024-meeting-materials-allston-multimodal-project   

State and Federal Agencies

The project team continues to regularly meet with state and federal agencies to ensure proposed designs comply with federal and state laws and regulations. 

Next Steps 

Feedback from the Working Groups and other stakeholders will be used to prioritize design alternatives to meet upcoming permit and grant deadlines. 

     Fall 2025 National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 

     Fall 2025 Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act (MEPA) Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Report (SDEIR) 

     Summer 2026 MEPA Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) 

     Fall 2026 NEPA Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) / Record of Decision (ROD) 

     Fall 2026 RCN Grant funds to be obligated by September 30, 2026 

Learn More and Contact the Project Team 

     Project website: www.mass.gov/allston-multimodal-project  

     Project email: I-90A...@dot.state.ma.us