GeorgeLewis/Underpass

I have been involved with the Downtown Railroad Crossing Task Force for over two years beginning in 2005. This group discussed various ideas how to improve traffic congestion at 126/135 intersection. In the fall, 2007, this Task Force was dissolved and replaced with an administrative Advisory Committee. For two years, discussions and ideas were kept secret from the public, the original Task Force and me. I could get NO information regarding the direction this group was taking.

Finally, about two weeks ago, there was a special meeting of the Downtown Crossing Advisory Committee. After two years this committee and the architects, Cecil Group, presented their thoughts and evaluations on the various ideas to relieve congestion at 126/135 intersection. I attended and was greatly distressed that the Advisory Committee has approved the concept of a Waverly Street underpass through route 126. Although all the members seemed to be a "united voice" for this proposal, I spoke at this meeting and listed specific concerns and dislike for this proposal. East-west traffic needing to go north or south along route 126 will be redirected to a proposed intersection of Waverly Street and a new Hollis Court roadway to Hollis Street. This is a big mistake - heavy traffic will be rerouted and added to the present traffic loads along Hollis Street. Hollis Street is too narrow to provide necessary lanes and turns. I received no responses from the architects when I talked about having to reroute police, ambulances, firetrucks and extra-long trailers, for example. The architect could give me no reasonable answer when I asked how a driver heading from Concord Street could arrive at the Happy Swallow bar. He mentioned taking circuitous roads from behind and then walking to the bar to get to the front. The underpass proposal has no surface roads along the depression to accommodate businesses such as this. By the way, the underpass will prevent accessing existing parking spaces for the Richardson Train Station restaurant.

I have enclosed a photo that I created showing how an underpass would look like if this idea became a reality. I see an underpass as becoming a roadblock to future development and the possibility of the train line becoming below ground.

I would like to attach this photo to my Frambors message and also provide a Town of Framingham website link with complete information of this proposal. I would also would like to encourage Frambors members to view the information and to attend the September 15 Board of Selectmen meeting when the architects present their ideas to the public and to the board.

Thanks, George Lewis

Here it is