The City of Boston, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), has unveiled new conceptual designs aimed at transforming the Blue Hill Avenue transit project. This initiative will be open to public scrutiny, with three open houses scheduled in Mattapan and Dorchester over the next month, providing an opportunity for community members and bus riders to engage with and refine the proposed plans.
The new concept-level designs represent the initial phase in the development of detailed blueprints for a significant construction project, which is not anticipated to commence until 2026.
According to MBTA statistics, Blue Hill Avenue holds the title of the busiest bus route in New England, catering to over 37,000 bus passengers each weekday.
However, the T further reports that these bus riders lose more than 3,000 hours collectively every weekday due to persistent traffic congestion and illegally parked vehicles obstructing bus stops.
The delays impact neighborhoods predominantly occupied by Boston’s Black and Brown communities, leading to disproportionate costs of these disruptions falling on people of color.
In response to these challenges, Mayor Wu had earlier announced a commitment from her administration to invest in a comprehensive redesign of Blue Hill Avenue. The redesign will focus on implementing center-running bus lanes, protected bike lanes, and preserving the trees situated in the landscaped medians along the Avenue.
The city and MBTA are actively gathering feedback on specific station locations and street layouts in key areas.
The conceptual plans feature alternative designs for stations located near Morton Street, American Legion Highway, and the Blue Hill Avenue Fairmount Line station.
Determining the precise placement of these stations will influence various design elements of the street, including the number of crosswalks, availability of curbside parking, and turn lane configurations for vehicles.
The city and the MBTA are tasked with finalizing these choices among the alternatives before progressing to more advanced design stages next year.
To facilitate community involvement, the City of Boston has organized three project open houses in the upcoming month:
- On November 19th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Sportsmen’s Tennis and Enrichment Center in Harambee Park at 950 Blue Hill Avenue;
- On November 21st from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Grove Hall Branch of the Boston Public Library at 41 Geneva Avenue;
- On December 4th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Josh Kraft Mattapan Teen Center at 10 Hazleton Street.
Download a PDF of the concept design here.
**Interview with Mark Johnson, Transportation Advocate and Community Organizer**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mark! The City of Boston has recently committed to the Blue Hill Avenue transit project. Can you give us an overview of why this initiative is so important for the local community?
**Mark Johnson:** Thank you for having me! This initiative is crucial because Blue Hill Avenue is the busiest bus route in New England, serving over 37,000 passengers every weekday. Unfortunately, these riders experience significant delays—over 3,000 hours lost every day—mainly due to traffic congestion and obstructed bus stops. The redesign aims to alleviate these issues, primarily benefitting communities of color that have been disproportionately affected.
**Interviewer:** The project is set to introduce dedicated bus lanes and other improvements. How do you think these changes will impact daily commuters?
**Mark Johnson:** The implementation of center-running bus lanes will provide a much faster and more reliable means of transportation for commuters. This should reduce travel times, enhance safety, and create a more efficient transit system. It will also allow for the preservation of green spaces, which is vital for neighborhood aesthetics and community health.
**Interviewer:** Public engagement is a key part of this process, with several open houses scheduled. Why is this outreach essential?
**Mark Johnson:** It’s essential because community input helps shape the project to better meet the needs of those who use the bus services daily. By involving residents in discussions about station locations and street layouts, we ensure that the plans reflect their preferences and concerns. This also fosters a sense of ownership and investment in the project.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, construction isn’t expected to begin until 2026. What can community members do in the meantime to stay informed and involved?
**Mark Johnson:** Community members should participate in the upcoming open houses to voice their opinions and learn more about the plans. Staying connected with local advocacy groups and city updates is also important. Share information within your networks, and encourage others to engage in the process. The more voices we have advocating for effective transit solutions, the better.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mark. Your insights are invaluable to understanding the impact of this project on the Boston community.
**Mark Johnson:** Thank you for shining a light on this important initiative!
