View Full Version : Route 1 Project - Malden, Revere, Saugus
BostonUrbEx
08-20-2011, 11:58 PM
I've heard some estimates of construction starting next year, but it seems to be on the down low for supposedly being so soon.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/6063875807_cea3a508b2_o.png
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http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6078/6064424078_d9db53e17c_o.png
Note that a part of B-3 is already built. Sneaky developers built the northbound half of the Salem St Connector when the built the Overlook Apartments and quietly left room for the southbound lanes. I think B-3 is a bit excessive; a connector road is completely inappropriate.
I don't understand A-2... how would the intersection under Rt 1 look? It seems that the SB offramp and NB offramp would be going head-on into each other in the intersection. Although you can place signs, lights, etc, it could certainly prove to be an accident waiting to happen.
C-1 looks good, but I was expecting the lack of access from 1-North to 99-South to be addressed. That was the primary purpose of Project C as I understood it...
Ron Newman
08-21-2011, 06:13 AM
What is the purpose of this project? Just to reclaim developable land where the rotary is now, or something else?
gooseberry
08-21-2011, 07:48 AM
I wonder how much this will cost vs finishing the Green Line extension through Somerville. I'm struggling to see the point.
Ron Newman
08-21-2011, 08:00 AM
Me too. My impression is that Route 1 works pretty well for what it is -- an almost-freeway that happens to have lots of abutting businesses along it. When I've had a car, I've enjoyed driving on it. It's not much fun for bikes or pedestrians, but this project wouldn't fix that and I'm not even sure that's a reasonable goal.
BostonUrbEx
08-21-2011, 09:20 AM
Some of the goals are to increase missing capacity and bring Salem St exits up to higher standards. You'll notice that this includes making the entire highway 6 lanes, as at present, the highway narrows from 6 north of Rt99, to 4 south of 99. TBH, I think instead, they should make the whole thing a 4 lane interstate standard north of 99, with feeder roads maintaining access to business and such. I think it would be a better investment in congestion management. Or, my personal favorite, no highway improvements ever, just do mass transit.
omaja
08-21-2011, 09:21 AM
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/6063875807_cea3a508b2_o.png
I don't understand A-2... how would the intersection under Rt 1 look? It seems that the SB offramp and NB offramp would be going head-on into each other in the intersection. Although you can place signs, lights, etc, it could certainly prove to be an accident waiting to happen.
It is a Single-Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) that allows left-turning traffic to/from the freeway to flow at the same time. It is a great design that works really well. I haven't seen many (any?) applications in the Northeast of it, but they are pretty popular in West/Midwest/Florida.
A video demonstrating how it works. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRhR9-ITNOY)
BostonUrbEx
08-21-2011, 10:12 AM
Thanks for the visual! Thought the SPUI was something else... Is this "better" than an inverted diamond? (I think that's the name? where the roadway switches sides in between two lights)
EdFindlay
08-21-2011, 11:15 AM
In essence...nothing new here just finishing what was supposed to have been done FORTH YEARS AGO.
Ron, the project is simply improving traffic flow for Rt. 1 and Rt. 60, which is actually a problem for the area especially on weekends.
BUE take a close look at the bridges visually if you believe the project isn't worth it. They are falling apart the the point that the unused I95 bridges are barely staying together and the Rt. 1 bridges are close to requiring a massive makeover just to stay together to handle the current level of traffic. Transit improvements are a better use of money however NOT at the expense of infrestructural improvements that are desperately needed.
Oh and this entire project is DOA before it ever gets past the drawing stages- one of the candidates and the leading contender for Mayor of Revere owns a business directly affected by the project so this project is never going to get done so long as he is alive and kicking.
EdFindlay
08-21-2011, 01:48 PM
From my humble perspective having driven and walked through the area too many times to count..
A-2 appears to allow for redevelopement of the area of the former rotary and I95 northbound overpass. My problem with this is there needs to be consideration for pedestrian access. Either move the access to a new northern routing or make a clear crossing at or near the current crossing even if it requires the use of traffic lights.
A-3 appears to be a slightly better alignment than A-2 for Rt. 1 south to Rt. 60 and Rt. 60 to Rt. 1 south with the northbound connections appearing to be
Both A-2 and A-3 don't need the Rt. 1 to Rt. 60 east connection moved, it will be worse at the interchange than it is at the rotary where it's a gradual connection rather than a tighter turn.
The Malden/Saugus segments I have no comment on...frankly because anything they can do to improve visibility of the exits and easing connection to the highway is going to be a huge improvement over the quick and tight turning exits, blind merging, and bottleneck connection north of Rt. 60 is an improvement.
Looks like a pedestrian and cyclist death trap.
Woulnt a standard intersection be cheaper?
Ron Newman
08-21-2011, 04:45 PM
why is a SPUI better than the current rotary (where traffic never needs to stop in any direction)?
Neither a SPUI nor a rotary is at all good for pedestrians, but cyclists can generally handle rotaries (such as Powderhouse Circle in Somerville, or this one on Route 60) just fine.
I'm totally in favor of replacing crumbling bridges ASAP (hopefully in a quick way similar to the recent I-93 bridge replacements in Medford), but unsure why anything else is needed on this road.
EdFindlay
08-21-2011, 09:32 PM
why is a SPUI better than the current rotary (where traffic never needs to stop in any direction)?
Neither a SPUI nor a rotary is at all good for pedestrians, but cyclists can generally handle rotaries (such as Powderhouse Circle in Somerville, or this one on Route 60) just fine.
I'm totally in favor of replacing crumbling bridges ASAP (hopefully in a quick way similar to the recent I-93 bridge replacements in Medford), but unsure why anything else is needed on this road.
That theory might work if it was two surface level routes but with Rt. 1 elevated over the rotary it is a mute point as the merging lanes are backed up hundreds of feet both north and south to the point that you have to get on or off before Rt. 60 to get anywhere in that area. Removing it removese an unneeded problem.
Ron Newman
08-21-2011, 10:14 PM
seems to me like a stoplight would cause more backups. Traffic merging into a rotary never needs to stop at all. The rotary at Route 60 and I-93 is identical in structure to this one, and I don't know of any plans to replace it.
BostonUrbEx
08-21-2011, 10:34 PM
Ed, I agree the bridges need to be replaced, as someone who's in the area frequently (even just today), but I don't see much need for much of this project other than replacing the bridges, and perhaps removal of the rotary.
The rotary was built with the intent of exit/on ramps for I-95 to Lynn as well, so this whole thing is overbuilt as is, and isn't functioning at the expected level. 60 West backs up because of the rotary all the time (not that all the lights help much, either...) and the 1 South off ramp backs onto the highway as well, eliminating one of two lanes for southbound travel at some times. The rotary also seems to be a common spot for accidents, I can't comment on hard stats, but even just last week I saw someone managed to spin out and hit a guardrail underneath the abandoned I-95 bridges.
I think the Project B/Salem St section can be handled much better, without a connector road. I imagine this wide high-speed boulevard in what is supposed to be a mixed use (incredibly residential-heavy right now) development.
I can understand Project C, but don't see it being worth the money. It's one of those "I really wish they did it that way when first built, but why bother now" type of things, IMO.
I'd rather not see 3 travel lanes, unless the rightmost always ends up a forced exit/dedicated entry lane.
EdFindlay
08-21-2011, 10:49 PM
seems to me like a stoplight would cause more backups. Traffic merging into a rotary never needs to stop at all. The rotary at Route 60 and I-93 is identical in structure to this one, and I don't know of any plans to replace it.
Two different designs from the on/off ramps to the actual rotary layout itself Ron...the I93/Rt. 60 rotary doesn't handle any of the traffic from the interchange directly like the Rt. 1/Rt.60 rotary does.
If I95 had been built as it was intended to be the rotary layout may have been the same, but with an additional segment for the merging/less cluttered Rt. 1 lanes.
EdFindlay
08-21-2011, 10:55 PM
Ed, I agree the bridges need to be replaced, as someone who's in the area frequently (even just today), but I don't see much need for much of this project other than replacing the bridges, and perhaps removal of the rotary.
The rotary was built with the intent of exit/on ramps for I-95 to Lynn as well, so this whole thing is overbuilt as is, and isn't functioning at the expected level. 60 West backs up because of the rotary all the time (not that all the lights help much, either...) and the 1 South off ramp backs onto the highway as well, eliminating one of two lanes for southbound travel at some times. The rotary also seems to be a common spot for accidents, I can't comment on hard stats, but even just last week I saw someone managed to spin out and hit a guardrail underneath the abandoned I-95 bridges.
Better dedicated lanes can be built in conjunction with the rotary removal to allow for a better traffic flow especially since much of the vestigal Rt. 95 flyover land allows for allignment changes.
You are right about the accidents in this area(rotary and the on/off ramps), only North Shore Road has had more accidents since I have been living in the city(3+ years) with several rollovers including a fatal one.
I think the Project B/Salem St section can be handled much better, without a connector road. I imagine this wide high-speed boulevard in what is supposed to be a mixed use (incredibly residential-heavy right now) development.
I can understand Project C, but don't see it being worth the money. It's one of those "I really wish they did it that way when first built, but why bother now" type of things, IMO.
I'd rather not see 3 travel lanes, unless the rightmost always ends up a forced exit/dedicated entry lane.
How old are these plans? The access road to me looks like it could be part of the Overlook Ridge developement nearby that was complete in '08. It's clearly older than Fall '09 due to the MassHighway logos.
BostonUrbEx
08-21-2011, 11:16 PM
I didn't even notice the MassHighway logo. I was under the impression these were from 2009 or 2010; I think it may be from a 2010 presentation. I'll see if I can find the source again.
BostonUrbEx
08-21-2011, 11:18 PM
By the way, you mentioned someone with a business stake having something against this project. Why would they be against it? Looks like anyone abutting the area has the potential to buy more adjacent land. I can understand being against construction, but I'd think the outcome is worth it for them.
Ron Newman
08-21-2011, 11:54 PM
It looks to me like US 1 traffic goes over the rotary while MA 60 traffic goes through it ... which is the same thing that happens at I-93 and MA 60 near Medford Square. What am I confused about here?
BostonUrbEx
08-22-2011, 09:47 AM
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6069769190_9efa564edd_o.png
Whipped this up.
Green: 3 lanes
Yellow/Orange: 2 lanes
Red: Lesser road, off/on ramps (1 lane, not counting turning lanes)
EdFindlay
08-22-2011, 03:36 PM
By the way, you mentioned someone with a business stake having something against this project. Why would they be against it? Looks like anyone abutting the area has the potential to buy more adjacent land. I can understand being against construction, but I'd think the outcome is worth it for them.
It's a function hall so impacting traffic patterns especeially when the rotary feeds his business directly would be a problem...
EdFindlay
08-22-2011, 03:40 PM
It looks to me like US 1 traffic goes over the rotary while MA 60 traffic goes through it ... which is the same thing that happens at I-93 and MA 60 near Medford Square. What am I confused about here?
The lanes for for Rt. 60 to Rt. 1 north/south are directly tied to the rotary, they are seperate from the rotary in Medford feeding in several hundred before the roary. You don't have to avoid the I93 traffic to get through the rotary in Medford like you have to get through it in Revere as that traffic is already separated before you hit the rotary.
BostonUrbEx
08-22-2011, 08:43 PM
The best (only) date I can find on those diagrams is 2010, and those were narrowed down from a bunch of other alternatives.
Anyways....
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6071812120_792f8001da_o.png
BostonUrbEx
08-22-2011, 09:11 PM
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6071337463_14f9a05133_o.png
This allows for a free flow of traffic in all directions without signals (all alternatives I saw containing the ability to go from 1N to 99S required a signal). This won't handle nearly as much traffic as Copeland Circle, so I think it's much better suiting to being a rotary. I think it would fit very nicely.
EdFindlay
08-23-2011, 09:16 AM
The best (only) date I can find on those diagrams is 2010, and those were narrowed down from a bunch of other alternatives.
Anyways....
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6071812120_792f8001da_o.png
Renovations to improve/upgrade the Rt. 1 bridges rather than unneccessarily realligning them should be done. They aren't too bad, showing age but preventative maintnence in conjunction with the project should improve their lifespan.
Move the Rt. 60 west to Rt. 1 north connection farther back east, it comes up too abrupt in your design. Keep Rt. 1 norto to Rt. 60 east as is now, it is one of the only OK designs for the interchange. I might add another lane to Rt. 1 south at Rt. 60 to handle the interchange traffic to avoid the inevitable backups.
BostonUrbEx
08-23-2011, 11:25 AM
^ I changed 1N offramp because I was going to extend that paralleling street a ways (some of that is visible, connecting it back to Grove Street).
After doing a little looking at Diverging Diamond interchanges, I think it would handle traffic much better than what I dipicted.
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/11/large_diverging-diamond.gif
Essentially little to no backing up on the ramps.
The design I made for Rt 60 would work for Salem St (it's exactly the same idea I used for Salem St) but it's probably not so good here. I can definitely see it backing up all the way to the highway.
Does anyone at all have a map of what Copeland Circle and area was *supposed* to look like? I found something about a "Revere Beach Connector" which was supposed to meet I-95 right behind what is the North Gate Plaza and continue into Rt 1 North.
EdFindlay
08-23-2011, 11:55 AM
^ I changed 1N offramp because I was going to extend that paralleling street a ways (some of that is visible, connecting it back to Grove Street).
I am not so certain those streets need extending...if you want it done that way to move the offramp away from the houses then I can agree with that but otherwise I don't see the need to fix what isn't broken- I haven't seen any backing up at this offramp ever, it's probably the only part of the entire rotary/on and off ramps that actually works out well.
Does anyone at all have a map of what Copeland Circle and area was *supposed* to look like? I found something about a "Revere Beach Connector" which was supposed to meet I-95 right behind what is the North Gate Plaza and continue into Rt 1 North.
Is this what you mean? http://www.brorson.com/maps/BostonHighwayPlan_1965/BostonHighwayPlan_1965.jpg or this: http://www.bostonroads.com/roads/northeast/
The second one sounds like it's possibly what you are thinking of in the connection to Rt. 1A.
BostonUrbEx
08-23-2011, 12:07 PM
If 60 is "Revere Beach Connector" then it must be different. The impression I got was that another highway was going to meet I-95 at the NE corner of Copeland Circle.
(Which might explain that built up spit of land that appeared in the 70's next to the 107, just north of the new BJ's)
BTW, why is Copeland Circle being replaced before Bell Circle? Bell Circle is hideous, IMO. Absolute carmagedon every time I've been there.
EdFindlay
08-23-2011, 12:16 PM
If 60 is "Revere Beach Connector" then it must be different. The impression I got was that another highway was going to meet I-95 at the NE corner of Copeland Circle.
(Which might explain that built up spit of land that appeared in the 70's next to the 107, just north of the new BJ's).
Edited to include another link that may possibly explain your question...after you posted. See the aerial shot halfway down the page...I believe this is what you are talking about?
Also, this is interesting tangent...one of hte original routings shown with your segment shown: http://www.bostonroads.com/history/1948-map/
BTW, why is Copeland Circle being replaced before Bell Circle? Bell Circle is hideous, IMO. Absolute carmagedon every time I've been there.
Bell is bad, but it's really more of a stop light problem and doesn't have the backing up problems that Copeland has. It is bad, but not as bad.
BostonUrbEx
08-23-2011, 10:44 PM
Hmm, that looks like it might be it. But it shows that somehow splitting off south of 60 instead of just north (wth?). But it goes all the way to North Shore Road, so...
But if it was what caused this: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.426114,-71.002321&spn=0.002685,0.005681&t=h&z=18&vpsrc=6 then perhaps that's it.
BostonUrbEx
08-23-2011, 11:20 PM
Wait- here it is: http://www.bostonroads.com/roads/MA-60/
Somehow I opened that page before (purple link when accidentally found on Google) but I don't recall reading this.
This probably would have been the final nail in the coffin for Rumney Marsh, on top of the I-95 construction. The marsh has already been ravaged so badly... Just read up on some history, apparently from the Saugus River all the way down to Chelsea Creek was marsh. I've been looking at some of the 2010 imagery and the marsh seems to be dying in many places. I'm no expert, but when the grass is disappearing into dark-watered pools surrounded by dead brown grass, that's probably not good. Seems to happen in areas which are furthest from the waterways.
EdFindlay
08-24-2011, 12:25 AM
Wait- here it is: http://www.bostonroads.com/roads/MA-60/
Somehow I opened that page before (purple link when accidentally found on Google) but I don't recall reading this.
If you look closely at the 1948 map I linked to, this is on there. It's slightly out of whack with how it really was supposed to go(splits off before Rt. 60 interchange on map) but the connection to Brown Circle/Rt 107 and Rt. 1A/North Shore Road are visible. You found the verbal evidence to back up the mapping but puts it into perspective more.
This probably would have been the final nail in the coffin for Rumney Marsh, on top of the I-95 construction. The marsh has already been ravaged so badly... Just read up on some history, apparently from the Saugus River all the way down to Chelsea Creek was marsh.
Much of the eastern part of the city is reclaimed marshland but the central and western part of the city has always been solid land. A 1739 and a 1630 era map of the area...
http://www.olgp.net/chs/maps/map7.htm
http://www.olgp.net/chs/maps/map3.htm
Now if you had said Mill Creek/Chelsea Creak and Sales Creek/Belle Isle Marsh then yes you would be right as they connect to form the former islands of East Boston.
I've been looking at some of the 2010 imagery and the marsh seems to be dying in many places. I'm no expert, but when the grass is disappearing into dark-watered pools surrounded by dead brown grass, that's probably not good. Seems to happen in areas which are furthest from the waterways.
The damage had already been done long before the roadway construction, the mosquito abatement attempts in the early part of the last century especially in the 30s(CCC/WPA connected?) did the most and longest lasting damage to the marsh- long rows of lines in the marsh were manmade, it's the same in Mill Creek as well. While it would damage the ecosystem construction at least could have done something to compensate the loss of some land.
Regarding the browning- drought, fires(several in the last decade), and the fact that it is a tidal marsh play into the looks of the area. Add in that the time of year could be a factor as well. It could be a concern but I am not so sure at this point.
EdFindlay
08-24-2011, 12:41 AM
Hmm, that looks like it might be it. But it shows that somehow splitting off south of 60 instead of just north (wth?). But it goes all the way to North Shore Road, so...
But if it was what caused this: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.426114,-71.002321&spn=0.002685,0.005681&t=h&z=18&vpsrc=6 then perhaps that's it.
The large grassy strip of land right next to the road? I am not so sure that is part of the project- seems a bit odd htat they would reroute water around it, they would have simply put a tube for the water to flow through instead.
From the sound of the descriptions from the links they would have made Square Road closer to what 1A is like with Brown Circle, Bell Circle, and Butler Circle being improved to handle more traffic. I don't believe they would have used the marsh at all, as it wouldn't make sense to build when they had a major road already there that could be upgraded.
BostonUrbEx
08-24-2011, 10:58 AM
Digging at historicaerials.com I find the ramps are all graded.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6205/6076444003_7467aa5ed5_b.jpg
To my best ability, this is what it looks like they were designing. A part of me is wishing this happened, simply to see the amazing interchange that would have taken place, but undoubtedly it would have been very destructive to so many areas. And I forgot to include the land sticking off of 107 (which doesn't appeared in 1969 along with most of the sand brought in (however, it appears little if any sand was brought in between 69 and 71 but all the grading was done during this time). If I extend those red lines, they'll run right into that spit of land.
EdFindlay
08-24-2011, 03:56 PM
Digging at historicaerials.com I find the ramps are all graded.
To my best ability, this is what it looks like they were designing. A part of me is wishing this happened, simply to see the amazing interchange that would have taken place, but undoubtedly it would have been very destructive to so many areas.
Remember that it was to be built on top of the old airport- the destruction had already been done years before. The biggest impact from the Rt. 60 highway would be between Rts. 107 and 1A.
And I forgot to include the land sticking off of 107 (which doesn't appeared in 1969 along with most of the sand brought in (however, it appears little if any sand was brought in between 69 and 71 but all the grading was done during this time). If I extend those red lines, they'll run right into that spit of land.
It is there in '69, but not there in '55. They line up exact if you zoom out far enough to prove you right on your assumption.
seems to me like a stoplight would cause more backups. Traffic merging into a rotary never needs to stop at all. The rotary at Route 60 and I-93 is identical in structure to this one, and I don't know of any plans to replace it.
This is incorrect. When there is a high volume of eastbound traffic on 60 and southbound traffic on Rt 1, the result is an absolute nightmare. You have to stop exiting Rt 1 to enter the rotary as the volume is high and there are few openings. The traffic queues up onto the offramp into the 2-lane section of Rt 1 back to lynn/salem St. Rt 1 south ends up effectively being 1 lane south at this point.
When they fix this, the light will put gaps in the 60 traffic keeping the ramp from backing up, and Rt1 will be widened to 3 lanes each way for its full length
PaulC
08-25-2011, 12:12 PM
state's web site:
http://www.route1project.com/
ftran999
08-26-2011, 06:16 PM
Are they actually going ahead with this project? My sister who works for one of the businesses along route 1 heard the plan had been discarded. The reason, it would be too disruptive to many of the businesses along the road. In particular widening the road to six lanes would encroach on many of the businesses.
there really arent any businesses alon the 4 lane stretch other than Kappys
ftran999
08-27-2011, 02:08 PM
A quick tour down that area of route one via Google Street View shows plenty of smaller businesses such as gas stations, restaurants, etc. And then there's Lowe's.
lol. I live walking distance from there. There is nothing of note between copeland circle and rt 99. Everything on the west side is accessible from 99. There is plenty of room between Lowes and rt 1 to widen the road. The owner of the Shell station will not be able to kill a project that will have such an overall benefit to the public. you ever seen what happens during rush hour because of this bottleneck?
whighlander
08-28-2011, 08:06 AM
Its amazing how much more perceptive the folks were in 1948 then when Frank (aka the corporal) Seargent killed everything inside 128 to placate some folks in Cambridge
while the Inner Belt would have been incredibly disruptive -- there were several major highway improvements which should have been built in the post 1970's -- RT-1 North of Logan has always been a handicap to the development in the Lynn to Cape Ann area
while I'm as strong a proponent as there can be for extending the Blue Line to Lynn and beyond -- it should be part of a larger scale transportation improvement project to integrate Lynn, Salem and Cape Anne into the overall region
Ron Newman
08-28-2011, 08:37 AM
Why is Route 1 an impediment to anything? It is fully grade-separated from any intersections, except for one lone traffic light in Lynnfield near 128. It works just like a real freeway except that it happens to have lots of abutting businesses.
I'm glad the Lynn Woods weren't bisected by a freeway, and wish the Middlesex Fells had been spared that indignity.
Ron, it is a three lane highway that has a section in the middle that is two lanes. It causes traffic backups that create unnecessary pollution. The stretch to be upgraded is a remnant of an old highway that was in existence prior to Rt. 1 being built from the Tobin to Revere. It needs to be upgraded. It should have been upgraded to 3 lanes each way 60 years ago.
It does not work well at all. Just drive it any day during rush hour or on the weekends all afternoon. It is a mess.
whighlander
08-28-2011, 09:02 AM
A simple pedestrian bridge can fix a bisected woods quite effectively
BostonUrbEx
05-18-2012, 10:04 PM
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5151/7224808850_e814a82dd7_o.png
Red - 6 lane, divided
Orange - 4 lane, divided
Light Orange - 4 lane, Rt 60
Yellow - Ramps
Green - Roads
Blue - BIKE PATHS, MOTHER FUCKER.
How I'd do it. Replace US-1 with rapid transit.
whighlander
05-19-2012, 01:26 AM
Urb -- thankfully you aren't the dictator of transportation
you wrote " How I'd do it. Replace US-1 with rapid transit. "
So a truck heading back to Gloucester coming out of Logan turns into a bunch of guys carrying empty cases that had held lobsters being shipped to Florida riding the Blue Line
What about the trucks carrying blueberries or bread to Logan?
Please -- when you are in charge -- note that highways carry other vehicles beside individual commuters in single passenger cars -- not easily replaceable by rapid transit lines
Commuting Boston Student
05-19-2012, 08:59 AM
Why not shove the Blue Line/Orange Line branch under Route 1 if you're doing major construction work on that corridor already anyway?
The great thing about a subway is that it doesn't necessarily have to destroy a road to exist.
BostonUrbEx
05-19-2012, 09:12 AM
Urb -- thankfully you aren't the dictator of transportation
you wrote " How I'd do it. Replace US-1 with rapid transit. "
So a truck heading back to Gloucester coming out of Logan turns into a bunch of guys carrying empty cases that had held lobsters being shipped to Florida riding the Blue Line
What about the trucks carrying blueberries or bread to Logan?
Please -- when you are in charge -- note that highways carry other vehicles beside individual commuters in single passenger cars -- not easily replaceable by rapid transit lines
You didn't take the joke so I didn't read this post.
Kahta
05-20-2012, 11:35 AM
Isn't the planned project there going to remove the 4-lane bottleneck and make Route 1 6 lanes through the area?
Charlie_mta
05-20-2012, 01:59 PM
It is, and it would also correct some 1930 era ramps that have unsafe geometry.
The anti-highway and NIMBY mentality in Massachusetts will probably kill this essential project.
BostonUrbEx
05-20-2012, 02:44 PM
It's not that 4 lanes are too little, it's that it the lane drop is for no reason (as opposed to being an exit only lane peeling off) and the lane drop is also on a rather tight curve. 4 lanes would be perfectly fine between ramps with 6 lanes between interchanges.
Kahta
05-21-2012, 06:39 PM
It's not that 4 lanes are too little, it's that it the lane drop is for no reason (as opposed to being an exit only lane peeling off) and the lane drop is also on a rather tight curve. 4 lanes would be perfectly fine between ramps with 6 lanes between interchanges.
Between 99 and Cutler Circle, yes. That's the bottleneck.
BostonUrbEx
08-15-2012, 03:46 PM
$10 million was earmarked in the latest federal transit bill. The 10 mil will go toward Rt 1 (from Rt 99 in Saugus to Copeland Circle in Revere), Copeland Circle, Bell Circle, Brown Circle, and various other Route 60 improvements from Linden Sq in Malden to the junction with 1A at Brown (or is it Bell?) Circle in Revere.
Arlington
09-18-2012, 01:16 PM
Today's Salem St ramps are crazy scary--too slow a climb up the hill and too fast a turnout coming down. A connector road that moved that on/off to a flatter place at the hilltop would be a safety & capacity improvement.
Ron Newman
09-18-2012, 04:23 PM
Do you know if any of the Route 60 (or other) work will include adding bike lanes?
BostonUrbEx
09-19-2012, 08:20 AM
Do you know if any of the Route 60 (or other) work will include adding bike lanes?
It's being done with Federal money, so I think it might have to if it can fit (I'm positive it could fit). Malden is doing over Pleasant St downtown and they have to add a bike lane to that street because of the use of federal funds.
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