The Future of I-495/I-90

The Partnership is hosting a briefing by MassDOT and their consultant, AECOM, on preliminary findings relative to I-90/I-495 Safety Improvements and Interchange Reconfiguration Project. 

The need for the I-90 / I-495 Safety Improvements and Interchange Reconfiguration Project has been well-documented in recent transportation planning and economic development efforts by state, regional and local officials.  The implementation of the All-Electronic Tolling System (AETS) along the entire length of I-90 (Western Turnpike, Boston Extension and Harbor Crossings) and associated toll plaza demolition provides a logical opportunity to address chronic safety and operations issues at the I-90 / I-495 interchange that will not be relieved by these actions.

MassDOT and its consultant, AECOM, have begun the process of developing conceptual alternatives for the I-90 / I-495 interchange and would like to share their early findings with local officials, property owners and other interested stakeholders at a meeting to be held at our office in Westborough on December 18, 2014.

Please contact the Partnership’s Deputy Director, Jessica Strunkin, to RSVP, as space is limited.

Partnership Meetings &

Resources

In case you missed some of the Partnership's timely and topical meetings, check out the list below with links to resources for your convenience:

• Soon after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released their DRAFT Massachusetts MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems) Permit, the Partnership hosted an information session for affected municipalities and stakeholders both inside and outside of the 495/MetroWest region.  The comment period is currently scheduled to close on Dec. 29, 2014; however, the Partnership along with several other organizations has requested a 90-day extension.  While awaiting a reply from the EPA, we have provided a link to the presentation and other resources on our website.

• The Partnership worked with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to host two Solar PV Permitting and Safety Trainings as a part of the U.S. Department of Energy Rooftop Solar Challenge grant.  We hope you find the presentation a useful resource.

• The Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) and the 495/ MetroWest Partnership hosted municipal representatives and other economic development partners to attend an information session on the 2014 legislative and procedural changes to the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP), that resulted from the signing of “An Act to Promote Economic Growth in the Commonwealth” by Governor Deval Patrick. Check out the presentation and other useful links on the Partnership's website.

• The Partnership again worked with MassDevelopment to host an Academy in the 495/MetroWest Region.  These Academies have taken place across the Commonwealth, and most recently, in the Town of Milford.  The focus of the forums is to provide resources for economic development to municipal officials and other interested parties.  The Milford Academy featured a presentation on the 2014 Business Climate Survey Results, by Dr. Michael Harrison of Framingham State University, a project in partnership with our organization and the Worcester Business Journal.  More information including Dr. Harrison's presentation are available here.

If you are interested in receiving committee notices for Energy & Sustainable Development, Transportation, and/or Water Resources, please contact the Partnership’s Deputy Director, Jessica Strunkin.

Thanks to our Supporters:

AECOM

Atlantic Management

Avidia Bank*

BettSolutions, LLC

BJ's Wholesale Club

Capaccio Environmental Engineering

Capital Group Properties

Clarke Distribution Corporation

Commerce Bank

Crossroads Redevelopment Partners, LLC

Customers Bank

GateHouse Media*

Green International Affiliates, Inc.

GZA GeoEnvironmental

The Gutierrez Company

Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare

HNTB

J.M. Coull Inc.

Marlborough Hospital

MassBay Community College

MetroWest Regional Transit Authority

Middlesex Savings Bank*

Milford Regional Medical Ctr.

National Development*

Oxbow Partners

Patridge Snow & Hahn, LLP

People's United Bank

Red Hat

St. Mary's Credit Union 

Tata & Howard

Tetra Tech, Inc.

Transwestern|RBJ

Verizon*

Woodard & Curran

* = Founding Investor

495/MetroWest Partnership

Private Sector CoChair: Scott Weiss, The Gutierrez Company

Public Sector CoChair: Joseph Nolan, Town of Wayland

Private Sector ViceChair: Kathleen Freeman, Northeast Utilities

Public Sector ViceChair: Henry Fitzgerald, Town of Shrewsbury

Treasurer: Marc Verreault, Carruth Capital

Clerk: Peter Martin, Bowditch & Dewey

Paul Matthews, Executive Director

Jessica Strunkin, Deputy Director

Gubernatorial Forums Reinforce

495/MetroWest Region's

Importance & Priorities

Governor-Elect Charlie Baker addressed the region at a Partnership forum on Oct. 27

 Special thanks to Art Illman for these photos, courtesy MetroWest Daily News

Congresswoman Katherine Clark addressed the region on October 31 for Democratic nominee Martha Coakley; also pictured is Partnership Executive Director Paul Matthews (center) and Private Sector CoChair Scott Weiss of The Gutierrez Company (left)

One week before the Gubernatorial election, the Partnership hosted discussions between regional leaders and Republican nominee for Governor, now Governor-elect Charlie Baker, and Congresswoman Katherine Clark, representing Democratic nominee Martha Coakley.

These forums have been a Partnership tradition for the last three Gubernatorial elections, and also build on the participation of all the Democratic and Republican Gubernatorial candidates at our June annual conference.  To foster discussion and ensure that the next Governor is aware of the 495/MetroWest region's importance and needs from state government, the Partnership's Executive Director conducted a short presentation and shared economic data from our Strength in Numbers report.

Charlie Baker, now Governor-elect, shared his vision for the Commonwealth and his priorities for economic development, education, transportation, energy, and health care.  In his discussion with attendees, he complimented the Partnership on a great story, and noted that "I can't tell you how valuable it is to have a collaborative group working so diligently on these issues."

While Democratic nominee Martha Coakley had an unexpected scheduling conflict, the Partnership appreciated that Congresswoman Katherine Clark stepped in to address the forum on her behalf.  In addition to providing her perspective on the Democratic nominee, Congresswoman Clark shared some valuable insights on issues important to the region.  While she is the newest member of the Partnership's Congressional delegation, she and her staff have become very involved in the Partnership's work, and she spoke to key regional concerns such as transportation, water infrastructure, energy and the economy.

The Partnership conducts these forums as a dialogue between regional leaders and the next Governor, but does not endorse any candidates. Special thanks to Governor-elect Baker and Congresswoman Clark, and to all attendees at these events, as well as to the staff of the Sheraton Framingham Hotel and Conference Center for their generosity in hosting these forums.

State Acquiring Framingham

Secondary Rail Line &

Considering Expansion of

Commuter Rail Service to

Foxborough

 This map shows as a yellow line the portion of the Framingham Secondary Line being acquired by the Massachusetts Dept. of Transportation south of Framingham, with the purple line showing the route of potential expanded commuter rail service to Foxborough.

On November 18th, the Partnership's Executive Director attended a Massachusetts Department of Transportation briefing for the Foxborough Board of Selectmen on the state's acquisition of the Framingham Secondary Line and the potential of expanding commuter rail service to Foxborough.

MassDOT shared that their Board of Directors approved moving forward with acquiring the Framingham Secondary Line as a strategic asset that would link the Framingham, Franklin, and Providence lines.

With that acquisition progressing, new attention is being brought to the concept of expanding commuter rail service to Foxborough beyond game day service.  In the briefing, MassDOT referred to prior studies demonstating the potential need for such service, particularly the Foxborough Commuter Rail Feasibilty Study in 2010, which was prepared by Jacobs Engineering Group for the MBTA and Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.  In 2011, a privately funded study was commissioned by Mirick O'Connell by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin (VHB), and the Partnership raised awareness of this report by participating in municipal and legislative briefings and sharing the draft executive summary.  As shown on the above graphic, such expanded commuter rail service would not run on the Framingham Line, and would utilize part of the Franklin line to coordinate with the new Fairmont Line service in Boston.

 At the close of the briefing, Partnership Executive Director Paul Matthews provided some background on the commuter rail discussion over the last few years, as well as the benefits from commuter rail improvements on other lines in the region, such as the Fitchburg and Framingham lines.

While the state's acquisition of the Framingham Secondary Line is progressing, there is a continued dialogue on the possibiity of expanding commuter rail services to Foxborough.  As a continuation of our advocacy for expanded and improved commuter rail service to the 495/MetroWest region, we will continue to track this discussion and keep stakeholders informed.

Not Following the Partnership

Yet? Why Not??

Stay up-to-date on the Partnership’s work and events by following us on social media.  The Partnership has a Twitter account, LinkedIn Group and a Facebook page for you to follow, join or friend as a way to keep up with our various activities on behalf of the 495/MetroWest region.  No longer will you have to wait for our e-newsletter for the latest updates on the Partnership’s efforts; connect to one or all of our social media outlets today!

Special thanks to our state legislators for securing state funding for regional economic development, and the Office of Business Development for their support.

Special Thanks to Our Champions:

Bose Coproration* |  Bowditch & Dewey LLP*

Carruth Capital LLC*  |  EMC²*  |  IBM

Special Thanks to Our Partners:

Alexander, Aronson, Finning & Co. PC

Cisco Systems  |  Genzyme, a Sanofi Company*

NSTAR, a Northeast Utilities Company

Special Thanks to Our Advocates:

Beals + Thomas*  |  CommCreative

Day Pitney LLP  | Dean College*

Framingham State University*

Mirick O'Connell  |  NAIOP Massachusetts* 

Patriot Place  |  Sam Park & Co. Ltd.

Staples*  |  Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc

TJX Companies*  |  TransAction Associates

VHB/Vanasse Hangen Brustlin*