Assembly Sq <-> Casino Footbridge

It would be nice if a footbridge here, or over the Malden River to Wellington, would spur development at the Gateway center site.
 
There was an article a few months ago here: http://www.everettindependent.com/2...oposes-to-revive-mystic-river-bikefootbridge/

“Since the submission of the SFEIR, the City has engaged the MBTA and DCR to explore an extension of the path utilizing land on and alongside the MBTA Saugus Branch under the Revere Beach Parkway and along the MBTA Newburyport Line to reach the Mystic River and DCR path network,”
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Everett wants the casino to pay to cantilever a path off of the side of the commuter rail bridge, then continue it on to the north and connect to the Northern Strand trail. A lot of planning work has already gone into a Mystic River crossing, but I can't find the link to the planning documents right now.
 
I have a strong feeling that Wynn would pay for or help fund the lion's share of construction for such a footbridge, if found feasible. The casino has already cut down on parking, and Wynn has offered operational funding for OL frequencies. Neither of those moves would make sense without a footbridge.

I also have high hopes that Wynn's involvement will being something iconic.

465201401_54_990x660.jpg
 
Shepard said:
I have a strong feeling that Wynn would pay for or help fund the lion's share of construction for such a footbridge, if found feasible. The casino has already cut down on parking, and Wynn has offered operational funding for OL frequencies. Neither of those moves would make sense without a footbridge.

I also have high hopes that Wynn's involvement will being something iconic.

465201401_54_990x660.jpg
Click to expand...

When I heard about a footbridge crossing the Mystic, my same first thought was whether we could get the helix bridge Sands put in across Marina Bay in Singapore. What a slam dunk that whole development became. THAT is the kind of casino resort and waterfront development that Wynn/Everett/Somerville/Boston should be working towards, and I'm optimistic they will.
 
I just found this interesting graphic which Alan Moore put together and overlays all of the alternatives discussed in the 2009 study and also overlays the layout of the casino:

alternatives%20combined%20map2.jpg


I vote alternative 3. Yes the small movable section will probably add a couple million, but also will keep the elevation pretty much level which means less effort for walking.
 
tangent said:
I just found this interesting graphic which Alan Moore put together and overlays all of the alternatives discussed in the 2009 study and also overlays the layout of the casino:

alternatives%20combined%20map2.jpg


I vote alternative 3. Yes the small movable section will probably add a couple million, but also will keep the elevation pretty much level which means less effort for walking.
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yeah but how often will the bridge be moving? I'm not sure how long it would need to be open for, and how frequently it would open, but that's a huge downside if people are stuck waiting for a boat to come through. The added frequencies don't mean jack if Wynn can't reliably utilize them.
 
People in Charlestown use the bridge over the damn locks all the time even though they randomly open when boats come through. Doesn't really seem to hurt anyone's trip in a major way.
 
underground said:
People in Charlestown use the bridge over the damn locks all the time even though they randomly open when boats come through. Doesn't really seem to hurt anyone's trip in a major way.
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I think that would be dam locks -- unless you really do not like them ;)
 
Alternative 1 or 3 would probably be best, and I could see Wynn tunneling a path under the rail tracks directly into the casino
 
dshoost88 said:
When I heard about a footbridge crossing the Mystic, my same first thought was whether we could get the helix bridge Sands put in across Marina Bay in Singapore. What a slam dunk that whole development became. THAT is the kind of casino resort and waterfront development that Wynn/Everett/Somerville/Boston should be working towards, and I'm optimistic they will.
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Great idea -- wrong Casino operator and architect team however

The one I'd like to see is the roll-up footbridge such as Heatherwick Studio designed with structural engineers SKM Anthony Hunts to span an inlet of the Grand Union Canal, Paddington Basin London

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0Dj7XA77hw

I don't think its ever been done over such a wide body of water -- the roll would be amazing
 
Here's the proposed bridge viewed from the Assembly side, slighly upstream of the Newbury-/Rockport bridge. JumboBuc's link will give you more details:
img_1120.jpg
 
If they're actually gonna build the bridge why not spend the additional money and top it with an automated people mover, similar to what downtown Miami has had for years.
For many months out of the year, an open bridge over water like this will be mostly unused except by the most hardy pedestrians.
 
Because that costs more over time. This is a better option, especially if Everett is going to expand their BRT program which will be a far cheaper option for improving transit.
 
atlantaden said:
If they're actually gonna build the bridge why not spend the additional money and top it with an automated people mover, similar to what downtown Miami has had for years.
For many months out of the year, an open bridge over water like this will be mostly unused except by the most hardy pedestrians.
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The distance from the casino to the Assembly MBTA stop will be ~2,400 feet with this bridge. Tens of thousands of people all over the Boston area walk similar distances in all weather as part of their commute. A significant percentage of casino employees would use this every day in all weather given the chance.
 
Something really has to be done about permitting time. First of all, way too many agencies are involved from the Fed, State and Local. It only takes one of these agencies to have a fuss over something and you won't see a shovel in the ground until 2021+. Hopefully the Fed gov't can expedite this.
 
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