The “Thoughts from Everyone” series is a collection of discussions and analyses of the current system contributed by other transit fans that I personally find interesting. For a full index with ideas on all topics, see here.
This post includes discussions and analyses of transit in several neighborhoods to the west of Boston: Allston, Brighton, (North) Brookline and nearby regions. Many such discussions involve the Green Line B/C/D branches and the Framingham/Worcester Line.
Last updated: April 20, 2024 (updated West Station and Union Sq Allston)
Allston
West Station and I-90 Allston Multimodal Project
The I-90 Allston Multimodal Project is a mega project that involves substantial redevelopments and infrastructural revamps in the vicinity of I-90 Allston Viaduct and former Beacon Park Yard, with a commuter rail infill station on the Framingham/Worcester Line called West Station. I have described and documented the project’s plans in detail here. This section describes other people’s opinions on any aspects of the project that are related to transit.
Commuter Rail and West Station Design
Explanation of former West Station layover yard’s functionalities and its replacement: Comment 1, Comment 2 (F-Line to Dudley, Apr 2024)
- This comment was in the context of MassDOT Secretary rejecting the layover tracks in West Station’s design. It offers historical context for why the layover yard was proposed (second choice behind Widett Circle, whose fate was uncertain back then, for commuter rail operations), why it is now no longer needed (Widett Circle has been purchased), operational issues the yard would have brought to the Framingham/Worcester Line, and considerations behind her announcement.
- Aside: F-Line subsequently claimed that the space for layover tracks could not have been used for a rapid transit provision.
Bus Hub and Bus Infrastructure
Discussion of busway design and utility (archBoston, Apr 2024; earlier comments started here)
- This discussion primarily concerns whether the proposed bus infrastructure is overly excessive for the expected amounts of service, and whether the location of West Station limits its potential as a bus hub.
Discussion of MBTA Route 64’s possible alignments through West Station, and later comments (archBoston, Apr 2024)
- As a follow-up to the busway discussion earlier that month, this revival has a narrower focus on the route of the 64 bus.
- Topics include: Possibility of the 64 using Cambridge St Bypass Rd; Rationale for the route to be excluded from the final BNRD draft; Reliability and demand of the Brighton Ave alignment as part of the original BNRD proposal. (This particular comment from millerm277 discusses reliability and demand from a local’s perspective.)
- [Aside/Background] See my documentation of the background of route 64 and West Station.
Grand Junction
Note: This section is primarily about discussions of Grand Junction rail services within the scope of, or immediately related to, the Allston project. Notably, they have to be officially proposed within a reasonable time frame. Other discussions of fan-made services are typically better suited for the “Ideas for Everyone” series.
F-Line’s opinions of official short-term plans for Grand Junction rail service (F-Line to Dudley, Apr 2024)
- This short opinion mostly expresses frustration with the lack of concrete plans for implementing rail service on Grand Junction, and possible feasibility issues.
Union Square Allston, Harvard Ave and Packard’s Corner
Union Square Allston (not to be confused with Union Square Somerville), at the intersection of Brighton Ave, N Beacon St and Cambridge St, is a major neighborhood center and cultural hub in Boston. This section includes discussion of it and locations further east, including sections of Harvard Ave and Packard’s Corner.
Discussions of density, attractions, and history of the area, and later comments (archBoston, Apr 2024)
- The conversation ranged from local points of interest near Union Sq Allston, to the high residential density, and then the historical factors (most notably streetcars) that contributed to the density.
Boston Landing
Discussions of Boston Landing’s developments, bus connections, the 64 bus, and more (archBoston, Apr 2024)
- The conversation started with a debate of whether Boston Landing’s location is problematic for bus connections, and whether it makes sense for the 64 bus to make a detour there. Starting from here, it pivoted into a discussion of developments around the area.