Brickbottom Residents Discuss Grand Junction

Brickbottom Artists Association, Somerville - map

On Wednesday, December 15th, Massachusetts Department of Transportation officials hosted a meeting at the Brickbottom Artist Building to discuss the state’s recent purchase of the Grand Junction tract of railroad. The meeting, which was well attended by residents of the Brickbottom Artist Building and the surrounding community, served as a forum for residents to voice their concerns about potential increases in usage of the Grand Junction Railroad by MBTA Commuter Rail trains.

For those not familiar, Grand Junction Railroad is an 8.5 mile long stretch of rail that runs from Boston, over the Charles via a rail bridge that runs under the BU Bridge, through MIT’s campus to East Cambridge, East Somerville, Chelsea, and finally East Boston. Along this route, trains make a number of crossings at street level, including crossings at Mass Ave, Main Street, Broadway, Cambridge Street, and Medford Street. Prior to its purchase by the State this summer, it was owned by CSX Transportation. Grand Junction is currently used by freight trains servicing the Chelsea Produce Market, and by trains being transferred for maintenance by the MBTA and Amtrak.


Jamey Tesler of MassDOT answers questions

The state’s purchase of Grand Junction Railroad opens up the possibility of the line being used for proposed commuter rail service between North Station and Worcester. I share the concerns that many members of our community have expressed about the impact increased rail traffic could have for East Cambridge and East Somerville, and I cannot support any project that will have drastic negative impacts for my constituents. I see potential safety, environmental, and quality of life issues arising from this proposal, and it is very important to me that these concerns are addressed before the future of this project is discussed any further.

With any public transportation project, our number one concern should always be safety. Although I strongly believe that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is committed to the safety of drivers, pedestrians, passengers, and employees in the planning, construction, and maintenance of all of its projects, I am nevertheless concerned about trains moving at faster speeds through Cambridge and Somerville while using Grand Junction Railroad. In anticipation of increased rail traffic on Grand Junction, improvements will be made to the tracks and intersections that will permit trains to travel at increased speeds. I believe that this will create an increased risk to pedestrians and motorists at the busy Cambridge Street and Broadway rail crossings.


Grand Junction crosses under the BU Bridge

Additionally, I am concerned that expanded use of the Grand Junction Railroad will bring new problems to densely populated areas in Cambridge and Somerville. Train noise, reduced air quality from diesel train engines, and increased congestion at crossings all negatively impact the quality of life for residents of the surrounding neighborhoods. Should MassDOT move forward with this proposal, I believe that an environmental review should be undertaken to ensure that quality of life impacts are mitigated and that the well-being of our neighborhoods and our environment are protected. Residents should have a chance to comment about what kind of projects are undertaken in their communities, and I believe that environmental review offers a necessary opportunity for the public to have a voice in the planning of public projects.

My staff and I are closely monitoring this project, and I have been in touch with both senior administration officials to discuss my concerns about using the Grand Junction Railroad to expand commuter rail service. The meeting on December 15th was one of a series of meetings that will be held regarding Grand Junction, so please check back for the dates of upcoming events. The next meeting about Grand Junction will be held by the East Cambridge Planning Team at East End House on Wednesday, January 19th at 7:30 PM.

I invite you to contact my office if you have comments or questions about this issue by phone (617-722-2380) or by email (timothy DOT toomey AT mahouse DOT gov). I am committed to making your voice heard at what is a pivotal time for this project’s future.

Craigie Drawbridge Will Close Again on Saturday, January 8th

The Craigie Bridge is set to close to inbound traffic again, this time for four months. This means that from Saturday, January 8th until April, traffic from Cambridge bound for Boston will need to find an alternate route. Traffic outbound from Boston into Cambridge, however, will still be able to cross the bridge, as two lanes are open in that direction.

The closure is required for the installation of a new, pre-fabricated bridge to replace the old one. This closure will encompass the final phase of work on the Craigie Bridge.


View Larger Map

More information from MassDOT:

Vehicular Detours
Effective January 8, 2011, MassDOT will close all inbound travel lanes on Route 28 southbound at the intersection of Land Boulevard for approximately 12 weeks as part of the Craigie Drawbridge Rehabilitation Project. Traffic trying to access I-93 and Storrow Drive will be detoured east over the Gilmore (Prison Point) Bridge towards Bunker Hill Community College/City Square. Traffic heading to I-93 Northbound will be directed left through Sullivan Square, while traffic trying to access I-93 Southbound and Route 1 via the Tobin Bridge will be directed to turn right. Traffic traveling to the Charles Circle Area will be detoured westbound down Land Boulevard to the Longfellow Bridge to cross the Charles River. Outbound traffic leaving Boston through Leverett Circle will be unaffected during this period. (see Detour Map)

Access to the Museum of Science will not be restricted but patrons are advised to approach the Museum from Boston to avoid anticipated traffic congestion on the Cambridge side of the project.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Access during Construction
Bike and pedestrian access in each direction will be maintained during construction.

Charles River Channel
As a result of the construction activities, the Charles River Channel will be closed to all marine traffic reopening no later than April 27, 2010.

For more information, visit MassDOT's project webpage, or contact my office at 617-722-2380.

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we give thanks for the blessings of family, friends, and a meal to share with them, we must also remember the least fortunate among us this Thanksgiving.

Area soup kitchens and food pantries are always in need of food, volunteers, and monetary support. If you are able to help, please consider contacting a food pantry or soup kitchen in your neighborhood.

Food pantries in Cambridge:

(Please call food pantries before visiting, as their hours vary significantly)

Cambridge Senior Center
806 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-349-6060

Cambridgeport Baptist Church
Food Pantry/Clothes Closet
459 Putnam Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-576-6779

CEOC Food Pantry
11 Inman Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-868-2900

Common Care / St. Peter's Episcopal Church
838 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-547-7788

East End House
105 Spring Street
Cambridge, MA 02140
617-876-4444
Information about the East End House turkey basket giveaway

Helping Hand Food Pantry
St. James’s Episcopal Church
1991 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02140
617-876-4381

Margaret Fuller House Food Pantry
71 Cherry Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-547-4680

Project Manna
Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church
146 Hampshire Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-868-4853

St. Paul A.M.E. Food Pantry
85 Bishop Allen Drive
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-661-1110

Salvation Army
402 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-547-3400

Western Avenue Baptist Church
299 Western Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-441-6959

Zinberg Clinic Pantry
The Cambridge Hospital
1493 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-665-1606

Food pantries and soup kitchens in Somerville:

Hearty Meals For All (HMFA)
Somerville Community Baptist Church
31 College AvenueSomerville, Ma 02144
917-826-5298

Project Soup:
Saint Benedict’s Church
(rear basement)
15 Franklin Street
East Somerville, MA 02145

West Pantry
1 Davis Square
Mon - Fri 9:00 - 5:00 PM

Community Suppers
First Congregational Church of
Somerville
89 College Avenue, Davis Square
Monday - Beginning at 5:00 PM

Dollar-A-Bag
Saint Benedict’s (rear basement)
15 Franklin Street
East Somerville, MA 02145

Somerville Cambridge Elder Services
61 Medford St. Somerville, Ma 02143
617-628-2601
617-6281705-TDD

I hope that you are able to spend this Thanksgiving in the company of your loved ones, and that you are blessed with a happy and safe holiday.

All the best,

Tim

ECBA Celebrates One Year Anniversary

The East Cambridge Business Association is an exciting, young organization that is designed to unite and strengthen local businesses, while giving them new opportunities to engage the East Cambridge community and give back to their neighborhood. On November 9th, I had the opportunity to attend the ECBA's one year anniversary celebration, and will hopefully have the opportunity to attend many more!

The following is an East Cambridge Business Association press release that was published on the Cambridge Chronicle website on November 12:

On Tuesday, Nov. 9, members and guests of the East Cambridge Business Association gathered at the Multicultural Arts Center to celebrate the organization’s one-year anniversary at its annual meeting.

Association president Carl Fantasia of New Deal Fish Market delivered the presidential report highlighting the many accomplishments the ECBA has made during its first year.  An impressive list of community building events such as outdoor movie nights, Cambridge Street clean-ups and “East Cambridge In Bloom,” the ECBA has spent its first year focusing on making visible impacts in East Cambridge and uniting residents, business, and the city together.

Deputy City Manager Richard Rossi and State Representative and City Councilor Tim Toomey commended the ECBA for being able to bring the community together and make positive impacts in the neighborhood. 

“The Rib Fest was a unique event that brought long-time residents and new residents together, and people are still talking about it” said Toomey.

Andy Montone of Cambridge Art and Frame highlighted the ECBA’s plans to improve on these events in the coming year and encouraged everyone become more involved in 2011.  “We have accomplished a lot in the first year with a relatively small group of people, if we all get involved, the sky is the limit”.

Before the closing of the meeting, Teodora Silva of Alegria Dental Group, presented “The Smoke This Rib Fest” trophy to Chris Kosinski of East Side Bar and Grille, who is also the vice president of East Cambridge Business Association. As part of the award, the ECBA made a donation on Chris’s behalf to the East Cambridge Scholarship Fund for wining the Rib Fest in its first year.

 

Tim presents ECBA President Carl Fantasia with a citation in recognition of the one year anniversary of the ECBA's founding.

Your Craigie Comments

Now that we are more than a week and a half into the first phase of Craigie Drawbridge construction and repairs, I'd like to use this space to encourage you to post your comments, questions, suggestions, and concerns about how the project is going, and what could be done better. Because this is an ongoing project and will require the bridge to be closed to traffic inbound to Boston for 15 weeks, we have the opportunity to change things that aren't working.

Please feel free to leave a comment to this post with your ideas, or as always, call my office at 617-722-2380.

Reminder: Craigie Drawbridge Closes to Boston-bound Traffic Tomorrow

Tomorrow, November 6th, will mark the first day that the Craigie Drawbridge will be closed to traffic bound for Boston from Cambridge. I strongly suggest planning your commute in advance, as there will be significant delays and heavy traffic in the area, especially as drivers become accustomed to the altered traffic patterns in the first days of the bridge closing.

Detour information from MassDOT:

Vehicular Detours

Effective November 6, 2010, MassDOT will close all inbound travel lanes on Route 28 southbound at the intersection of Land Boulevard as part of the Craigie Drawbridge Rehabilitation Project. Outbound traffic leaving Boston through Leverett Circle will be unaffected during this period.

Traffic trying to access I-93 and Storrow Drive will be detoured east over the Gilmore (Prison Point) Bridge towards Bunker Hill Community College/City Square. Traffic heading to  I-93 Northbound will be directed left through Sullivan Square, while traffic trying to access I-93 Southbound and Route 1 (Tobin Bridge) will be directed to turn right.(see attached map) Traffic traveling to the Charles Circle Area will be detoured westbound down Land Boulevard to the Longfellow Bridge to cross the Charles River. (see attached map)

Access to the Museum of Science will not be restricted but patrons are advised to approach the Museum from Boston to avoid anticipated traffic congestion on the Cambridge side of the project.

Bike and Pedestrian Access during Construction
Full bike and pedestrian access in each direction will be maintained during construction.  During Phases 1 and 3 of the drawbridge replacement, only one side of the bridge will be opened and must be shared by inbound and outbound bike and pedestrian traffic.  A manned and signalized crossing area will be placed at the mid-point of the roadway at the Museum of Science during these phases.

For more information about this project, click here to read my previous blog posts, or visit the MassDOT Accelerated Bridge Program website here.

Election Day is Tomorrow, November 2nd

November 2nd is election day! Tomorrow, voters will choose who will serve as the state's governor for the next four years. In addition to the hotly contested governor's race, voters will decide who will serve terms in the rest of the state's constitutional offices, and will have the option of approving or rejecting three ballot initiatives.

If you are unsure of where to vote, or if you would like a preview of the ballot that you will receive at the polls, you can visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth's election information page here. If you have trouble with the site, you may call the state elections office at 617-727-2828.

The voter registration deadline for tomorrow's election has passed, but if you would like to register so that you may vote in future elections, please click here for information on how to do so.

Remember, in Massachusetts the cutoff for registration is 20 days before an election, so plan ahead!

For additional information about voter registration or where to vote in tomorrows election, Cambridge residents may visit the Election Commission office at 51 Inman St., or call 617-349-4361. Somerville residents may visit the Somerville Election Commission office at City Hall (93 Highland Ave), or call 617-625-6600.

See you at the polls!