A 3-year, $21 million state highway project to repair a key stretch of the I-93 expressway near Columbia-Savin Hill that is scheduled to start soon will be disruptive at times, but not a constant problem, according to state Rep. Dan Hunt, who briefed members of the local civic group about the project last week.
In February, state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) officials told The Reporter that some night work would be required during the project. Rep. Hunt and state Sen. Nick Collins said they would work to try and mitigate the noisiest work.
“They haven’t executed the contract yet, but when they do, they agreed to have a robust community process,” Hunt (below) said during the April 6 meeting of the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association.
“The work over the first year would be staging and putting wood under the girders mostly. The night work is probably a fact of life, but it won’t be jackhammering every night between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. There will be time before and after for staging and probably loud work for a few hours.”
The object of the project is to repair existing bridge deck joints adjacent to Savin Hill to eliminate water leaks into the steel structures below – which can be observed from the ground to be heavily rusted and worn.
The four entrance and exit ramps associated with JFK/UMass Station will also be repaired during work that is expected to be completed by fall 2028.
Hunt indicated that the heaviest work will not likely begin until 2027. He said his office would lobby to close two lanes at a time, with a few hours of loud work going on there each night. He and Collins have asked for some additional improvements under the highway to improve the neighborhood.
“We did ask them to paint underneath and make it more attractive and pave under the highway between JFK and Sydney Street,” he said. “Where the salt pile was, I know Boston Collegiate [Charter School] uses it for parking, but we’d like to see it activated and take a look at what can be done – maybe a dog park or other features.”
One neighbor asked if the project could be leveraged to get sound barriers to better shield the adjacent neighborhood and schools, which are very close to the highway. With other communities recently getting sound barriers, Hunt said it is a great suggestion that he’ll include on his “wish list.”
COLUMBIA-SAVIN HILL NOTEBOOK
•Boston Police Officer Mike Keaney reported that criminal activity in the area has been very low lately, in fact, he said, it’s the lowest he’s seen in his 30-year career. He noted one item of concern: On April 2, around 11:45 p.m., a restaurant delivery driver had his car stolen on Crescent Avenue. The driver parked the car, left it running, and ran to a home to make a delivery. Three teens between 17 and 19 hopped in and took off. It was found abandoned a few hours later on Hollander Street.
•The MBTA’s Capital Improvement Plan has been released to the public with meetings and input sought. Hunt and Collins noted that the JFK/UMass Station was identified by the T as a top priority. The station reconstruction project had been expecting nearly $100 million in federal funding last year, but it was rejected by the administration.
•A discussion of the pros and cons of the rent control ballot question unfolded during the April meeting, with Dorchester’s Carolyn Chou, from Homes for All, arguing in favor. For his part, Savin Hill native and Brockton resident Conor Yunits, of Housing for Massachusetts, argued against the rent control ballot question. The lively discussion lasted for 45 minutes. Each upcoming meeting will include information on the numerous ballot questions that will be on the November ballot.
•Patrick Roath, a candidate for US Congress challenging Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, was a guest speaker at the meeting.
•The civic group is preparing for elections of officers and executive board members at next month’s meeting. No offices are contested, but six people are running for five seats on the executive board.
