Boston recently shut down one of its busiest transit hubs, the Government Center T Station for over-due renovations above and below the ground. The station was originally built in 1898, and without a major renovation since the 1960s.
The Government Center T station in Boston closed this weekend for an expected duration of two years, according to a report by Martine Powers. The renovation will last until spring 2016 and cost $82 million.
The ninth busiest station in the T system has no way for people who use wheelchairs to enter or exit the station. The current layout of the station made a simple retrofit impossible—the station instead requires a comprehensive overhaul where the Blue and Green lines converge.
“For example, when architects sought to find a place to install an elevator between the Blue Line station and the Green Line platform that sits one story above it, there was only one spot that aligned with both platforms — and that spot is where the stairs are now. Construction crews will have to demolish the stairs and rebuild them elsewhere before installing the elevators.”
When the project is done, the station will also have a new public face to alleviate “the look and feel of dreary, windswept City Hall Plaza.” Aboveground improvements will include “innovative landscaping and a gleaming, four-story glass headhouse designed to reshape the look and feel of dreary, windswept City Hall Plaza.”
FULL STORY: Government Center closing for 2 years for upgrades
An App to Help the Visually Impaired Use Transit
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, working with the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is testing an app that will help the blind navigate Arlington Station in early 2015. The app will eventually be free to use throughout the system.
Boston Bus Signal Priority Project Yields Faster Travel Times
The city now plans to expand a year-long pilot project that reduced the time buses waited at traffic signals.
Boston Rail Network Sees Significant Increases in Speed After Eliminating ‘Slow Zones’
A year-long project that upgraded rail infrastructure and equipment has resulted in faster trips on all rail lines.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.
Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.
Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont