The Boston Globe’s Jon Chesto reports on the latest plans for the Riverside MBTA station
The new Riverside complex could be the biggest project Newton has seen in recent memory: a collection of several buildings that would include an office tower, a hotel, hundreds of apartments, and a Green Line garage. The developers are considering a direct highway connection to minimize the additional traffic on Grove Street, which passes by an elementary school and through two residential areas.
Grove Street simply cannot handle the additional traffic from this proposed development. Will Korff commit to paying for a new exit off of 128?
@Rose – The article does say that the newly proposed project does include a direct highway connection
The developers may be “considering” a direct highway connection (and they should certainly pay for it if there is to be one), but it’s the state that has to approve one, and my understanding is that it was not approved before, because the state does not allow new ramps within a certain distance of existing ramps, for safety reasons.
No one should be approving any project based on a promise that may not be fulfilled. Let’s see the direct access approved by the state first.
@Julia: Let’s say, hypothetically, that the state would agree to direct access and the developers agreed to pay for it, would you then support this project?
From what I understand, the state has shown interest in moving the exit and is working with the developer on it. The Sec. Pollack is apparently on board with it.
This was part of his presentation in front of the EDC. The purchase of the hotel was key in making the exit work, something that wasn’t possible under the previous proposal.
Like the title and agree. This project includes the whole package – business, commercial, retail, workforce housing, public transportation, a hotel along with direct access to the highway and entertainment close by. I’m looking forward to seeing the plans develop.
Could be Newton’s answer to Needham’s Trip Advisor stretch as well as a similar option to consider in Wells Avenue Business Park.
Let’s keep in mind that a key part of the package – direct highway access – is not “included”, it’s being “considered”. What transportation options are available from Riverside besides Green Line to Boston?
@ Tricia: In addition, Riverside is significant bus hub to NYC (and I presume other destinations, I only know first hand that my son in NY uses it all the time). Additionally the MBTA is talking about significant speed and capacity upgrades to the Green Line.
As for this…
Let’s keep in mind that this project has yet be formally presented (either in the form or a amended special permit or new permit; I don’t know which path this irequires). The highway access is important to everyone. The acquisition of the Indigo property makes it possible. It would be great if we as a city united to support it. (And I’m still waiting to hear from my friend Julia Malakie, if she’s on board!)
@Tricia the possibilities here are pretty vast. The commuter rail line is at the edge of the property as well, along with an unused connection that bridge the green line trains at Riverside and the commuter rail tracks. It turns out that the track gauge is the same. As we’re exploring daytime rail connections along Washington St., connecting into Riverside through that track could also be a possibility.
Also, an old rail bridge across 128 has been talked about for years as a pedestrian access to Lower Falls. This would be a great time to put that in place too. This would connect Lower Falls, by foot or bike, to the T, but also allow for the trails that currently run along the Charles to extend to the Riverside line from elsewhere.
Chuck beat me to it. The spur at Riverside, which was once part of a circuit railroad to Boston and even used during the 1996 flood, could provide frequent service to the Washington Street corridor as well as intermodal connections, making the Riverside property more functional as TOD and even as a transportation hub, and yes, more valuable to the developer. But the T clearly has no appetite to add stations. They can’t even make the right choices when upgrading stations for ADA (e.g. Newton Highlands, Auburndale, and now single track upgrades along Washington Street). Building a metropolis at Riverside with its own highway access and hoping the T does the right thing someday for public transit seems like a risky strategy. To get the right infrastructure in place, a public/private partnership might be the answer, but so far there’s no hint of this happening.
Oooh, Chuck, tell me more about these daytime rail connections along Washington St.
What will the impact of the proposed development be on the capacity of the Riverside line through the city? Will passengers from Woodland in be able to get seats or even standing room on the cars parked with Riverside passengers? Will the increased capacity talked about for the Riverside line become available before 2040? When will the owner of the the development rights start paying their rent to the MBTA? Is it true that the owner is already a million dollars in arrears?
1. The Riverside trains are already full to capacity.
2. There are already 4 exits on Rt. 95 much too close together for highway safety codes : Rt. 16, Grove St., Rt. 90 (Mass. Pike), and Rt. 30 (Comm. Ave.).
3. Even with the removal of the tolls, Rt. 90 and Rt. 95 create a regional traffic bottleneck already.
4. Rt. 16, Grove St., and Rt. 30 are already backed up everyday at rush hour.
5. The Charles River Watershed with wetlands etc. snakes around Riverside (hence its name).
6. The MWRA water supply for Boston goes right through between the Grove St. exit and the Rt. 30 exit,
Even if a separate entrance to Rt. 95 was allowable (which I beleieve it may not be) the Riverside site cannot accommodate high density development.
Previous traffic studies have shown that.
Greg said “It would be great if we as a city united to support it”.
I will support the project just because Greg says so. I don’t know its size or traffic impact or impact on schools. But I will blindly support it for Greg
That’s awesome Neil, thanks! And don’t forget to floss too.
P.S. I meant I hope we will all support direct access off of I-95 (or Recreation Road) even if we differ over the size and scope of the project.
Alright Greg, I will floss. Anything else?
Btw you sound like little people in my house, who talk about dinner and dessert even before they brush their teeth in the morning. I first want to see the size and shape of the project and it’s impact on schools before supporting some exit. But I should do it the other way around because u said so.
In future, may be just may be, wait for some facts before becoming a cheer leader.