Officials surprised by new MassHighway plan
Published on December 18th, 2002
STONEHAM, MA - Much to the surprise and annoyance of a multi-community task force, MassHighway commissioner John Cogliano proposed a short-term solution for the I-93/I-95 interchange without first consulting the group he appointed to investigate the problem.
The possible short-term alternative, first reported by the Boston Globe, suggests that two lanes be added to each side of Route 128 at the current interchange. While Cogliano claims this alternative will avoid seizing properties from community residents and businesses, members of the task force believe they should have been contacted before the alternative was issued to the press.
"I haven’t seen any plans so I couldn’t really endorse anything. If they can do this without taking any land, ‘I would say go for it’…but only when they show us the black and white plan and the task force endorses it," said Stoneham selectman and task force member Anthony Kennedy.
Kennedy, like many other members of the task force, first heard about the plan when a reporter called him to ask what he thought of Cogliano’s suggestion. And While Kennedy claims he will continue to give MassHighway the benefit of the doubt, he admits to a little skepticism.
"My very first gut reaction was that I was annoyed that it was published before we heard about it. If he can just pick up the phone and tell the Boston Globe, ‘this is what I want to do’ without consulting us, what the heck is the point of a task force?" Kennedy said.
Responding to some of the task force’s concerns, MassHighway spokesperson Doug Cope said that Cogliano’s short-term proposal and all future proposals would be presented to the task force.
"This is something that the engineers are looking at and it would be passed on to the task force for their recommendation and review," said Cope, who added that Cogliano’s suggestion has been examined by MassHighway since the last feasibility study. "These aren’t firm plans set in stone…the task force will have every opportunity to give their imput. I don’t think anybody should jump the gun here."
The I-93/I-95 task force, comprised of officials and residents from Reading, Stoneham, and Woburn was formed after the public responded angrily to an initial plan to seize around 100 homes through eminent domain.
Claiming that Mass Highway had not contacted the communities involved for their imput, Cogliano decided to cancel the initial feasibility study and create a committee with representatives from the impacted cities and towns.
At its first meeting late last month, the task force was informed of a five-step process that would be used to make recommendations for improving the commonly congested and accident-prone interchange. According to Reading selectman George Hines, while it was proposed that the task force meet again sometime this January,
MassHighway has not contacted or exchanged any further information with members of the advisory group.
"I’m looking forward to going through the process that the MassHighway Department outlined so we can give a fair study on this issue," said Hines. "We’ve been waiting for the MHD to release information in advance and we haven’t seen anything to date…but I’m trying to keep an open mind here and give the MHD the benefit of the doubt."
Woburn Mayor John Curran, echoing remarks similar to Hines and Kennedy, also said that he would be patient with MassHighway.
"I think we should be cautious about taking an adversarial approach to MassHighway," warned Curran. "I think it’s important that we keep cool heads so we can have a good relationship with Mass Highway that will represent all the involved communities’ interests."
Curran also verified that the city of Woburn hired Boston engineering firm, Vanasse, Hangen, and Brustlin to assist with the analysis of any proposed alternative. Although the task force will appoint a common consultant to aid in the process, Curran hired the firm to represent the specific interests of Woburn.
"We want an engineering board that can represent the city’s interests. I’m not an engineer and neither are Woburn’s other task force representatives, so we want professional experts involved in the process," said Curran of the decision.
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