I don't see how this is really connected to Volpe though. The Volpe deal has been finalized and the sale has been made.
As someone a bit familiar with Washington's ways, I opined that GSA would close on Kendall before Obama left office. Otherwise, a President Trump likely would defer a decision, and order a review of the whole deal.
The Cambridge Ordinance Committee asked MIT for a more robust transportation plan at an Aug. 2 public hearing on the university’s rezoning petition for the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center site in Kendall Square.
Cause having a rapid transit line isn't enough
Well, given that the Red Line at Kendall is pretty maxed out at rush hour, it's probably a good suggestion to look for enhancement options when you add this much commercial and residential space. Red Line capacity is a very real issue.
The RL fleet replacement and expansion will reduce headways from 4.5 minutes to 3 minutes and increase capacity by up to 50%. That is already fully underway, no additional funds or political capital required. RL capacity has been thoroughly addressed already.
Kendall really needs improved bus service, which I think was made possible by the realignment of Third St. near the station. I'm not sure if any increased bus service has actually begun.
The EZ Ride needs to be replaced by an MBTA service, needs more service, and needs a few strategically placed bus lanes to jump long queues.
The grand junction is a red herring.
Looks like grand junction is going rail trail instead of bus or light rail: http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/Projects/Transportation/GrandJunctionPathway
While they say it can still meet both current use and future passenger service there is only so much space in the ROW... still ... the rail trails do improve local quality of life.
Would be good to see the planning process work from the perspective of a desired end state (with the line converted to light rail with two tracks).
Completely agree with this.
One caveat, the Red Line headway reduction will be great for commuters primarily using that line to/from Kendall (from Alewife, from South Station, from the South Shore.) But it is going to move the capacity problem from the Red Line itself to the downtown transfer stations (DTC, Park).
That is why the bus enhancements you mention are so critical. We need to distribute the Kendall area traffic out to other lines (Green, Orange, North Side commuter rail) by other means without overwhelming DTC and Park.
Grand Junction is fine in the long term planning mix (don't want it forgotten, or it will never happen), but it is really long term.
Would the Volpe site in Kendall Square be able to accommodate a new Amazon headquarters?
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/07/technology/amazon-headquarters-north-america.html
Here is the RFP:
https://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=17044620011
Probably should start an Amazon Boston RFP thread to discuss other potential sites, but it seems Kendall Square should be right up there in the mix.
Even if the Volpe site could accommodate the HQ, I don't see how the financial math could work.
Kendall is a red hot real estate market, among the hottest in the country. Amazon is certainly looking for a sweetheart deal in exchange for siting the HQ and all those jobs. i don't see those two coming together.
MIT and Cambridge know they can fill Volpe at market rate without Amazon.