MBTA Blue Line Extension to Lynn

• Report rights infringement
• published: 14 Jul 2011
• views: 3399

MBTA Blue Line Extension to Lynn BECOME A FAN! http://www.facebook.com/pages/MBTA-Blue-Line-Extension-to-Lynn-and-Salem/227118027328459 Reference: http://www.bostonmpo.org/bostonmpo/pmt-old/PMT-3.pdf Description: This project would extend the Blue Line rapid transit line 4.5 miles from Wonderland Station in Revere to Central Square, Lynn. The alignment would either be parallel to the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line or it would make use of the abandoned narrow gauge right of way through Oak Island Center and Point of Pines Center. The MBTA is currently evaluating these options as part of its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Revere to Salem corridor. The DEIS will provide additional details on the relative benefits of each alignment. The extension would also include a crossing of the Saugus River, which is a navigable waterway. Consequently, a bridge there would need to accommodate both large vessels on the river and high-frequency rapid transit service. It should be noted that this extension of the Blue Line is intended to complement -- not replace -- existing commuter rail service to the North Shore. Capital Cost: $357.6 million (CTPS estimate) Rapid Transit line extension including a major river crossing, possible wetlands mitigation requirements, two potential new stations, and purchase of additional Blue Line vehicles. Estimated Ridership Increase on Mode: 21,000/day Net Increase in System-wide Ridership: 7,900/day Assessment: This is a high priority rapid transit expansion project. The capital cost for the project would be $357.6 million and the typical daily operating cost would be $72,500. Extending Blue Line service to Lynn would attract 21,000 new rapid transit riders of which 7,900 would be new transit riders. The remaining 13,100 would be diverted from MBTA bus routes and from the Rockport/Newburyport commuter rail line. The capital cost per new transit rider would be just over $45,000 and the operating cost per new rider would be $9.20. The extension is expected to have major land use and economic impacts on Lynn, particularly in the downtown area, which is a state designated revitalization area with substantial commercial and residential development. Lynn is considered a target area for projects providing environmental justice. Service quality would improve for those passengers now riding MBTA bus service in the area, as transfers would be reduced, travel times to Boston would be improved compared to the bus mode, and frequency of service would be greatly expanded. The extension would provide for transfers between the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line and the Blue Line at Lynn Station, and improve access to Logan Airport from locations on the North Shore. Evaluation Utlization: High Priority Mobility: Medium Priority Cost-Effectiveness: Medium Priority Air Quality: High Priority Service Quality: Medium Priority Economic/Land Use Impacts: High Priority Environmental Justice: High Priority