E-news from Charles River Watershed Association, an internationally-recognized leader in sustainable river management. Learn more at www.charlesriver.org.
MassDOT is gearing up to replace the Allston viaduct, which carries the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) from the Allston Interchange to the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge. This $1B project entails straightening the Mass Pike, which will enable improvements to the Paul Dudley White Path and Charles River Parkland as well increased public transit in the form of a new “West Station” commuter rail stop. We support these aspects of the project. What we do NOT support is MassDOT’s stated plan to relocate Soldiers Field Road (SFR) and the Paul Dudley White path into the Charles River (on fill, a bridge, or both) during project construction, which is estimated to last 8-10 years. Environmental impacts to the river would include disruption of sediment contaminated with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; increased stormwater runoff leading to more toxic algae blooms; and harm to the aquatic ecosystem including fish, birds, and wildlife. (Read CRWA'sop-ed with Charles River Conservancy and Community Rowing.)
Relocation of SFR into the river was not included inMassDOT Secretary Pollack’s January 2019 decision announcing the preferred project design. As a result, there's been no public analysis of the impacts or alternatives. This is the first public opportunity to weigh in on MassDOT's plan to relocate SFR into the Charles, and your voice needs to be heard!
You can help make a difference. Thank you for taking time to stand with the Charles River, its communities, and CRWA.
