Transportation Committee

The 495/MetroWest Partnership’s Transportation Committee focuses on regional mobility and enhancing transportation options in the region, addressing areas such as municipal roads and bridges, highway infrastructure, traffic congestion, commuter rail, regional transportation authorities, transit modernization and long-term visioning, interagency coordination, workforce transportation, complete streets projects, and transportation policy.

The 495/MetroWest Partnership thanks VHB for their 2024 Sponsorship of our Transportation Committee!

VHB

Vision and Priorities for Transportation Improvements in 495/MetroWest

In accordance with our organization’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan, the 495/MetroWest Partnership's Transportation Committee established working groups for the purpose of reviewing and updating regional priorities on the key transportation topics of commuter rail service, Regional Transit Authority services, and roadway projects of regional significance.

These working groups met throughout 2023; participation was open to any interested 495/MetroWest stakeholder.

Each working group drafted an updated Vision and Priorities statement, outlining the organization's vision for what improvements in each category will look like, as well as specific, actionable priorities necessary to realize these visions. These drafts were reviewed and adopted by vote of the Partnership's Board of Directors. Each Vision and Priorities statement can be found below.

Recent Meetings & Events

Transportation Committee Meeting November 7th: The Transportation Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership held a virtual meeting on Thursday, November 7th, 2024. The meeting's agenda included an update from the MassDOT project team on the I-495/I-90 Interchange project, an update from the MetroWest RTA on a potential new service to connect residents along the I-495 corridor, and a review of commuter rail ridership increases in the area. Please click the respective links below to access slide deck presentations from the meeting:

Route 2 Corridor Study Presentation: On Wednesday, February 21st, 2024, the Transportation Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership hosted representatives from MassDOT for an informational presentation on their Route 2 Corridor Study. During the meeting, MassDOT provided attendees with an overview of the scope and status of the Route 2 Corridor Study, alternatives, and next steps. The slide deck from the presentation may be accessed online at this link

Boston MPO & CMMPO Long Range Transportation Plan Development Presentation: On Wednesday, November 30th, 2022, the Transportation Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership hosted a virtual presentation from the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (Boston MPO) and Central Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization (CMMPO) on the development of their respective Long-Range Transportation Plans. MPOs are federally required to produce a Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) every four years with a minimum 20-year planning horizon. LRTPs ultimately establish a vision for the region’s transportation system by factoring in travel patterns, technology, equity needs, population growth, and land-use patterns, among other areas to address system preservation, modernization efforts, safety, congestion, and multimodality. 

495/MetroWest Partnership communities that are served by the Boston MPO include Acton, Ashland, Bellingham, Bolton, Boxborough, Foxborough, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Littleton, Marlborough, Maynard, Medfield, Medway, Milford, Millis, Natick, Norfolk, Sherborn, Southborough, Stow, Sudbury, Wayland, and Wrentham.

495/MetroWest Partnership communities that are served by CMMPO include Berlin, Grafton, Hopedale, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Upton, and Westborough.

I-495/I-90 Interchange Improvements Project Briefing: On Thursday, November 3rd, 2022, the Transportation Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership hosted representatives from MassDOT to provide an update on the I-495/I-90 interchange improvements project. Construction activities for the project are slated to begin in the coming weeks. On an average day, approximately 75,000 vehicles use the interchange itself. In the immediate area, I-90 carries around 100,000 vehicles and I-495 carries around 110,000 daily. 
Inquiries or concerns regarding the project may be directed to MassDOT staff via email at [email protected]. A virtual Public Information Meeting on the project will be hosted by MassDOT on Wednesday, November 16th, at 6:00 PM; click here for registration information for the Public Information Meeting.

FY23-27 TIP Presentations: The Transportation Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership hosted staff representing the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (Boston MPO) and the Central Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization (CMMPO) to present on their respective Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP) for Fiscal Years 2023-27 on Tuesday, April 5th, 2022. Each MPO, a federally required planning entity for urbanized areas with populations exceeding 50,000, is annually required to produce a TIP, which is a five-year, rolling list of regionally significant surface and non-surface transportation projects programmed with federal funding. Each presentation covered the respective MPO's TIP process, timeline, federal funding mechanisms, project evaluation criteria, and an overview of regionally significant projects programmed for funding in the 495/MetroWest region.
The Partnership extends our thanks to Matt Genova of the Central Transportation Planning Staff, and Sujatha Krishnan, Kevin Krasnecky, and Rich Rydant of the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission for their presentations. For more information about the Boston MPO’s Transportation Improvement Program, click here. For more information about the Central Massachusetts MPO’s Transportation Improvement Program, click here.

I-90 Allston Multimodal Project Presentation: 
The Transportation Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership hosted MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver, Acting Chief Engineer Carrie Lavallee, and Project Manager Michael O’Dowd for a presentation on the I-90 Allston Multimodal Project on Tuesday, November 23rd. The project will remove the existing Allston Viaduct carrying the Massachusetts Turnpike along the Charles River in Boston and likely construct an all-at-grade replacement of the Turnpike, Soldiers Field Road, and commuter rail tracks. Click here to access the slide presentation from the event. The proposed project will further create a new stop on the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Line to be known as West Station. The completed project, as well as its 8-10 year construction phase, will have a substantial impact on commuters and businesses to the west of Boston. Attendees were provided a general overview of the project, and had the opportunity to ask questions of MassDOT. Click here to access a video recording of the presentation.

October 14th Transportation Committee Meeting:
The Transportation Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership met virtually on Thursday, October 14th. Click here to access a recording of the meeting. The agenda included a presentation from the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization regarding their Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) development process, an overview from the Regional Transit Authority Advocacy Coalition (RTAAC) on their proposed RTA Advancement bill, and a brief presentation from GATRA on two new demand-response services which between them will serve the 495/MetroWest Partnership communities Foxborough, Franklin, Norfolk, Plainville, and Wrentham. To access slide presentations and other materials referenced during the session, click the respective links below:
Discussion with Congressman Jake Auchincloss: The Transportation Committee hosted a discussion with Congressman Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts’ Fourth Congressional District on March 31st. Serving his first term, Congressman Auchincloss has been assigned to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where he serves on the Highways & Transit; Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation; and Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittees. Congressman Auchincloss represents all or portions of 34 Massachusetts cities and towns, including the 495/MetroWest Partnership communities of Bellingham, Foxborough, Franklin, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Medfield, Medway, Milford, Millis, Norfolk, Plainville, and Wrentham. Click here to view a recording of the meeting. As Congress forges ahead on a significant infrastructure package and invites Members to request transportation and infrastructure “earmarks” for the first time in a decade, Congressman Auchincloss specifically requests your input on priority projects for your communities; if you would like to request that Rep. Auchincloss submit a Community Project Funding (“earmark”) request or a regular Appropriations request on your or your organization’s behalf, please visit this website which has instructions on how to complete this form.

MassDOT Highway Division Presentation:
On Thursday, March 4th, the Transportation Committee hosted Barry Lorion, District Highway Director for District 3, and Thomas Emerick, Highway Division District 3 Operations Engineer, who discussed regional roadway projects both upcoming and underway. Click here to download the presentation slides presented during this session