A newly proposed road project over at the BU dorms on the Pike right near the Allston/Brighton tolls curve has people asking questions. The MassDOT plans to straighten out those curves there near the BU dorms, raise Soldier's Field Road, and lower the Pike through the rail yard there. The cost of the project? It's projected to cost between $1.1 and $1.2 billion dollars! In addition, it's being predicted that it will take at least 8 years to complete the project.
Why? Why are they proposing this project and what are the pros of it? For one they claim by elevating Soldier's Field Road's it will create more green space and open more bike lanes by the Charles River. Yes, you heard that right, more bike lanes! Are they serious? What about the traffic? Yes, the traffic tends to buckle up there at the curves and by straightening it out, it's supposed to alleviate traffic. What about the 8 years it takes for us to get there? Talk about a nightmare. Is it really worth it? Do you want to put up with 8 long years of nightmare-ish traffic for a hopeful improvement in traffic there at the BU curves?
VB hates the idea of this. He thinks it will take way longer than 8 years and certainly cost way more than just $1 billion dollars. As of right now, there are no set plans in motion yet. They are pitching the idea and getting people's feedback. They plan to have a contractor by the end of 2020.
The state is still figuring out what areas of the highway will be closed during the project and how to provide as minimal interruptions for commuters as possible.
We ask you if you're in agreement with VB on this one. Is this project a good or bad idea?
-Producer Lightning