Boston (September 30, 2021) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass) and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) released the following statement after the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced that it will advance the “Modified At-Grade Option” for the Allston I-90 Multimodal Project in Boston. Senator Markey and Congresswoman Pressley previously urged MassDOT to select this exact option among other alternatives for the project’s design.
“We are encouraged that MassDOT agreed with the recommendations of community residents, transportation advocates, and local institutions that we echoed in a letter last year for a “Modified At-Grade Option." This choice presents the clearest path toward achieving the Allston Multimodal Project’s enormous potential to positively transform both its namesake neighborhood and the Greater Boston Region. With continued community feedback, this project can and will provide exciting new connections and accommodations for pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit users, as well as help address long-standing noise, safety, and sustainability concerns raised by neighboring environmental justice communities disproportionately affected by the existing highway. We applaud MassDOT for its design decision at this critical stage, and we will continue to help ensure this project centers equity and community. We also look forward to fighting for this important project to receive the federal funding it needs moving forward.”
