City pursues partial Northern Avenue Bridge demolition

Representatives of the Seaport Neighborhood Association met with the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) and others to discuss a new proposal. BTD is recommending that Sleeper Street - between Congress Street and Seaport Blvd - become a one-way road traveling southbound. 

The proposal is being made following the tragic death of a pedestrian at the Congress/Sleeper corner caused by a left turning vehicle onto Sleeper Street. BTD has pursued ways to make this intersection safer, particularly with its proximity to the Children’s Museum. They would like to commence construction of this change in April.

The SNA felt a bit blindsided by the proposal, as this meeting was the first we had heard of it. We raised concerns over the ripple effect throughout the Seaport. While BTD reported that this would cause an increase in peak hour traffic at Seaport/Sleeper of “only” 5.8%, we commented that this was not an insignificant increase for an intersection that is already overcrowded. It will also increase peak traffic on Thomson Place by 4%. We expressed fears that the travel increase on those roads, as well as on Boston Wharf Road and Pier 4 Blvd, will exacerbate the exiting dangers to pedestrians.

BTD discussed alternatives they reviewed, including stop lights at Congress/Sleeper. They rejected that idea, saying that lights only encourage speeding as vehicles approach, trying to ‘beat the green.’ We respectfully pointed out that the Seaport has the same issue at the very intersections where traffic will be increased by the Sleeper St. change and asked that pedestrian safety in those areas be considered. We suggested that Sleeper can be kept two-way with better signage, pedestrian traffic lights and raised crosswalks, all proposals we are considering in the Seaport. 

Our friends at the Fort Point Neighborhood Association (FPNA) asked for the underlying data for BTD’s statistics and what time frame it was collected, given how much has changed in recent years. A timeline was also requested, and that other stakeholders be involved such as the Lady of Good Voyage Church and the loading dock owners along Sleeper Street. It was also pointed out that Thomson Place is a private road whose owner should be alerted to this proposal.

The representative of the Children’s Museum spoke in support of the plan as did two representatives of Sleeper Street residents. The residents asked that the speed bumps remain on Sleeper St, and it was requested that a ’Not a Through Street’ sign be added at Farnsworth and Congress.

We concluded the meeting by stating that the SNA sees pedestrian safety as our top priority. We fully appreciate the reasoning for the proposed change and only ask that a comprehensive plan for safety throughout the neighborhood be discussed before moving forward. We do not want to see safety established in one location only to endanger other areas. It was stressed that the Seaport is a true neighborhood of residents and no longer just parking lots and commercial buildings. Consideration of traffic flow impacts throughout the neighborhood should be part of the process.

The BTD was very patient and understanding of our concerns. They have agreed to set up a meeting for Seaport residents to discuss the proposal further. We will share the details when the meeting is set.

We had a great turnout, with 65 residents in the meeting along with Councilor Ed Flynn and other city officials. The message was loud and clear that the intersections and sidewalks are dangerous and traffic gets gridlocked at times. The core issues are double parking, inconsiderate drivers, intersection blocking by cars trying to get through and lack of enforcement on parking, vehicles and scooters.

To see the presentation from the meeting, with explanatory notes as well as meeting takeaways and action plan, please go to the 'Pier 4 Traffic Meeting' link above, or just click here:

 WS Development reports that they:

"...are currently reconstructing Boston Wharf Road between Seaport Blvd and Congress Street as well as West Service Road (which is Boston Wharf Road south of Congress Street) south to Pastene Alley. This will culminate in the repaving and re-striping of this entire corridor later this month and significantly improve travel conditions for motorists and cyclists along this corridor."

This is part of their project that they refer to as the Seaport Roadways work, which involved the complete reconstruction of Seaport Blvd from the Moakley Bridge to Pier 4 Blvd back in 2017-2018 with the landscaped medians, trees, artwork, and bike lanes, as well as their reconstruction of Pier 4 Blvd (formerly East Service Road) between Congress and Seaport back in 2021-2022. 

A next phase of the Seaport Roadways project will involve the reconstruction of Congress Street from Boston Wharf Road east to Pier 4 Blvd. This scope will involve a landscaped median similar to the one on Seaport Blvd in front of 101-121 Seaport, as well as a revised condition at the I-90 off-ramps allowing for a proper left turn at that location. 

This next phase will be a great benefit to our neighborhood. Currently, drivers coming off of the I-90 East ramp and turnoff which leads into the Seaport, who want to head downtown, have to turn left on Seaport Blvd, adding to our congestion. The elimination of the small end of the median on Congress Street, pictured, will allow drivers to legally turn left on Congress and not have to continue to Seaport Blvd! 

We heard from residents who expressed concern about the “Open Container Zone’ concept which was described in a WGBH news story. 

Open Container Article

Two of our Seaport Neighborhood Association board members met Corean Reynolds (Director of Nightlife Economy for the City of Boston) to discuss the idea.  It turned out to be an excellent conversation.  SNA wanted to understand the basic idea and also the problem they are trying to solve.  The situation feels different than what was described in the article. A few highlights of the conversation:

· Corean’s role is much broader than night life (drinking, clubs etc)

· Corean is focused on all the elements that help a city maintain an effective economy at night including, safety, transportation, construction, etc, so that people can work and play in a safe environment.

· She said that the social zone concept would be a temporary area that might allow alcohol, but could also include music, art, festivals etc.

· There is not a proposal or plan for anything permanent.

· Permits would have to be applied for and the usual process would take place, including the involvement of neighborhood associations.

· The Seaport is not a priority for social zones.  City government recognizes that is a new area with tons going on.

· She did mention that the ‘pop-up’ concept could provide an opportunity to drive more diversity in the Seaport.

Corean described her role as a night-time economy specialist, a role that focuses more on how to safely impact vibrancy in Boston. She seemed appreciative of us taking the time to hear about her impressive background and her scope of responsibility. She has been in this newly created city position for 18 months. 

The SNA came away quite impressed with Corean Reynolds and we feel that a very good line of communication has been established.

 Eventhough demolition may begin soon, don't expect to see a new bridge for a decade or so. The project has been set back by the Army Corps of Engineers coming in to do a study on whether a floodgate could be placed at the opening to the Fort Point Channel. Ten percent of all stormwater in Boston drains into that Channel. When there is a high tide coupled with a large storm, flooding is caused in the surrounding areas because the stormwater drainpipes exiting into Fort Point Channel are lower than the high tide height of the Channel. A floodgate plan would close the gate at low tide when there is anticipation of a high tide storm. The result would be that the stormwater can drain into Fort Point Channel and then be released into Boston Harbor after the storm, with a lowering tide. The first question that the Corps will answer is whether this is a feasible and worthwhile project. After that, if the answer is in the affirmative, a study will be done to see if the floodgate could be incorporated into the Northern Avenue Bridge design. This is a multi-year study and project with a current price tag close to $1 billion.