Policy Papers | North South Rail Link

The Framework for Advocacy consists of the policies which guide members in public forums when they are representing the Association. APT is a strong advocate for distinguishing between strategic and tactical infrastructure projects. Strategic projects are those large-scale, economy-shifting endeavors that change the landscape of the entire region. Tactical projects affect a smaller, targeted area. APT asserts that there are two vital, strategic projects for Massachusetts:

• The North/South Rail Link (NSRL) which will unite the rail network for northern and southern Massachusetts
• A comprehensive rail freight strategy which will accommodate double height container rail cars from Albany to the Boston seaport.

Both these projects will remove vehicles from the State’s congested roadways, leverage underutilized state transportation resources (such as the seaport), increase the connectedness of the region, improve air quality, reduce costs for residents and businesses, and ultimately, enhance the Commonwealth’s competitiveness.

The actual Framework for Advocacy consists of three major branches:

• Capital planning: Projects that are consistent with the principles of sustainable “transit oriented development” (TOD). TOD projects encourage the synergy of walking, cycling, and mass transit, and promote land use patterns that minimize the use of automobiles. The following critical projects are consistent with this strategy:
  • The North-South Rail Link between North and South Stations in Boston to optimize MBTA operations and link northern New England into the Northeast Corridor (NEC).
    

    Map of possible future network

  • Completion of the I-93 Big Dig Transit Mitigation Requirements:
    • Blue Line-Red Line connector,
    • Arborway trolley restoration,
    • Green Line to Medford & Somerville
  • Light rail service on Washington Street, replacing the Silver BUS Line
• Operations: Working with the MBTA and other transit providers for improved service and enhanced operations
• Outreach: Forging strategic alliances with other like-minded groups, and presenting the case in public forums about the value of quality mass transportation.
  • Major strategic adjustment to facilitate transit objectives by being proactive versus reactive.
  • All mitigation agreements should clearly establish that transit and highway projects start simultaneously
  • Establish checkpoints to ensure that all projects are maintaining schedules with a recovery plan to bring schedules back into alignment should the transit component’s schedule slip vis a vis the highway project.

Original version: 2004