BOSTON – The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today joined federal, state and local officials to break ground on a $25 million bypass road in East Boston that will provide limited commercial access between Boston Logan International Airport and Chelsea Street, near the Chelsea Street Bridge.
The new road is expected to improve traffic on residential streets significantly by removing commercial airport traffic from East Boston streets, and improve air quality by reducing vehicle emissions such as volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen. The idea of a bypass road was first promoted 40 years ago by Martin A. “Marty” Coughlin, an East Boston community organizer, as a means of minimizing airport traffic on residential streets in the communities surrounding Logan Airport. In honor of Coughlin’s efforts, Massport is naming the roadway the Martin A. Coughlin Bypass Road. Coughlin died in 2000 at the age of 56. Massport estimates the bypass road will reduce bus and truck traffic on Neptune Road by 64 percent and on Chelsea Street by 54 percent.
“This is a major investment and we look forward to a new two-lane bypass road 12 months from now when we officially open it leaving the East Boston community improved traffic flow as well as improved air quality with the removal of a significant amount of airport-related commercial traffic from local streets,” said Massport Interim CEO David Mackey.
The two-lane roadway will be used by airport-related commercial traffic only and will consist of Massport shuttle buses which transport airport workers to and from a 1,500 space garage in Chelsea, taxis and MBTA buses serving Logan Airport and cargo vehicles.
“I am very pleased to be here today at this groundbreaking ceremony and I thank Massport for advancing the bypass road, which will provide such a benefit to the community. The bypass road will take trucks off residential streets, improve air quality and enhance local neighborhoods. I have been fighting for this project since I took office and although it took a long time to get to this day, I look forward to the completion of the bypass road,” stated Congressman Mike Capuano.
As Coughlin envisioned, the road will run along an abandoned CSX rail corridor between Frankfort Street and Lovell Street where a traffic light will be placed. The northern end of the bypass, which will run about one-half mile in length, will split with northbound traffic intersecting Chelsea Street via a former rail spur slightly north of Beck Street. Southbound traffic will enter the bypass roadway at Beck Street.
“I am very excited about this long-anticipated project because of the positive, measurable benefits that will be realized for our environment and residents,” said Senator Anthony Petruccelli. ”It is very appropriate that the road be named in honor of Marty Coughlin.’’ City Councilor Salvatore LaMattina agreed saying he worked with Coughlin to promote the idea in the 1980s. The bypass road “has been a long time coming,” LaMattina said.
Other local amenities include landscaping along Frankfort Street and a bicycle and pedestrian path linking the East Boston Greenway through Breman Street Park with the Bennington Street Neptune Road area. The project will create 46 construction jobs and is expected to be complete in October 2012.
“I am very happy that this bypass road will soon be open,” said State Representative Carlo Basile. “It will be a great thing for the community of East Boston, as it will improve traffic congestion and air quality in our streets. This has been a long awaited improvement and I am particularly pleased that this is being named it in honor of Marty Coughlin, who had the vision of this project and who dedicated his life to improving our neighborhood.”
Boston, serves as the gateway to the New England region and offers nonstop service to 70 domestic and 32 international destinations and in 2010 handled 27.4 million passengers. Boston Logan is the Air Line Pilot Association’s Airport of the Year for 2008 because of its commitment to safety. Over the past decade, the airport spent $4.5 billion on a modernization program that includes new terminals, parking facilities, roadways and airport concessions, and has been transformed into a world-class 21st Century facility. The airport generates $7 billion in total economic impact each year.
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The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) operates Boston Logan International Airport, the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $8 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England.
