MBTA Construction Projects
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Scott
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Re: T construction news
I do too, but only because I was forced to take it everyday as a child and standing out in the cold on mornings in open air stations like this were part of my personal dislike of the MBTA.
I do too, but only because I was forced to take it everyday as a child and standing out in the cold on mornings in open air stations like this were part of my personal dislike of the MBTA.
statler
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Re: T construction news
Unicorns.
The T will personally guarantee that unicorns will not attack you while waiting in that shelter.
Unicorns.
The T will personally guarantee that unicorns will not attack you while waiting in that shelter.
unterbau
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Re: T construction news
From the pictures it looks like those pieces of glass will be rotated...
Boston Needs A ShakeShack
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Re: T construction news
Is there some conceivable reason why this station is taking so long? Eastern Standard needs their view, dammit!
Is there some conceivable reason why this station is taking so long? Eastern Standard needs their view, dammit!
I
InTheHood
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Re: T construction news
The key to understanding the T is to always keep in mind that it's about the jobs, not the job. The #1 goal in these projects isn't to get people from A to B more efficiently, or to manage costs effectively - these are secondary goals. The primary goal is to employ people.
Every single T project that I can think of has missed its stated completion date by months, and in many cases, years. This is true of the Red Line station refurbishments, the Green Line re-do at North Station, even the simple (and silly) kiosks on the Silver Line bus route on Washington Street. Under Grabauskas, there seems to have been an effort to "manage" this process by projecting completion dates that are amazingly unambitious and also vague (they now refer to seasons rather than specific months). For example, the Arlington Street Station rehab was projected for completion in "Spring 2009" - meaning it will take two full years to rehab platforms, drop an elevator shaft, and re-do a station entrance that has been closed while the "construction" has been going on. Will they make even this laughable deadline? I doubt it. You'd need time lapse photography to measure any progress at that or any other T construction site, while huge buildings are completed left and right.
Any taxpayer with a project management bent can look at this and be infuriated - since we all know that costs and rework multiply as process times are needlessly extended in any "manufacturing" activity. But again, that's not the point.
The T's next "big project" is the $1 billion "Little Dig" to connect the Silver Line bus routes with a tunnel from South Station to Boylston Station and onward to a portal near Tremont Street and Marginal Road. Half of this tunnel will be at least marginally useful, if very expensive, by connecting the airport bus to the Orange and Green lines. But the portal to connect to Washington Street is of minimal/no use ... the T has admitted that travel times from Dudley Square to downtown won't decrease at all versus the current traffic-clogged ride, because the underground route is circuitous and bus speeds are highly constrained.
Unsurprisingly, there isn't much enthusiasm amongst the public for this project. But the construction trades love it.
The key to understanding the T is to always keep in mind that it's about the jobs, not the job. The #1 goal in these projects isn't to get people from A to B more efficiently, or to manage costs effectively - these are secondary goals. The primary goal is to employ people.
Every single T project that I can think of has missed its stated completion date by months, and in many cases, years. This is true of the Red Line station refurbishments, the Green Line re-do at North Station, even the simple (and silly) kiosks on the Silver Line bus route on Washington Street. Under Grabauskas, there seems to have been an effort to "manage" this process by projecting completion dates that are amazingly unambitious and also vague (they now refer to seasons rather than specific months). For example, the Arlington Street Station rehab was projected for completion in "Spring 2009" - meaning it will take two full years to rehab platforms, drop an elevator shaft, and re-do a station entrance that has been closed while the "construction" has been going on. Will they make even this laughable deadline? I doubt it. You'd need time lapse photography to measure any progress at that or any other T construction site, while huge buildings are completed left and right.
Any taxpayer with a project management bent can look at this and be infuriated - since we all know that costs and rework multiply as process times are needlessly extended in any "manufacturing" activity. But again, that's not the point.
The T's next "big project" is the $1 billion "Little Dig" to connect the Silver Line bus routes with a tunnel from South Station to Boylston Station and onward to a portal near Tremont Street and Marginal Road. Half of this tunnel will be at least marginally useful, if very expensive, by connecting the airport bus to the Orange and Green lines. But the portal to connect to Washington Street is of minimal/no use ... the T has admitted that travel times from Dudley Square to downtown won't decrease at all versus the current traffic-clogged ride, because the underground route is circuitous and bus speeds are highly constrained.
Unsurprisingly, there isn't much enthusiasm amongst the public for this project. But the construction trades love it.
Re: T construction news
Thanks for the updates. This looks as though the architect was strongly influenced by the Silver Line's shiny, but utterly ineffective shelter design.
I doubt that glass will be washed until it's eventually replaced with something useful in 30 years.
Thanks for the updates. This looks as though the architect was strongly influenced by the Silver Line's shiny, but utterly ineffective shelter design.
I doubt that glass will be washed until it's eventually replaced with something useful in 30 years.
Re: T construction news
Do I spy an ordinary bus shelter inside the heroically symbolic bus shelter? Will that be the actual shelter when it?s really needed?
Glassy reflections vitiate view of trusswork. Did the architect intend this?
Dueling geometries and styles:
Do I spy an ordinary bus shelter inside the heroically symbolic bus shelter? Will that be the actual shelter when it?s really needed?
Glassy reflections vitiate view of trusswork. Did the architect intend this?
Do we get to keep the cute little shack with the arched transoms?
Dueling geometries and styles:
Beton Brut
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Re: T construction news
^^ Love the solar glare on the facade of the Barbie Dream Motorlodge.
^^ Love the solar glare on the facade of the Barbie Dream Motorlodge.
bosdevelopment
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Re: T construction news
does anybody know the answer to ablarc's question? I mean, they're not serious right?
does anybody know the answer to ablarc's question? I mean, they're not serious right?
Re: T construction news
At the risk of public scorn, I actually like the new bus..umm..shelter? I understand the criticisms about its ineffectiveness against weather, likely lack of maintenence, etc., but I can't help but like it's quirky juxtaposition in that area....It's one of those things that if seen for the first time makes you stop, tilt your head, and at least notice it, or at least be distracted by it which isn't a bad thing considering the hodgepodge of crappy development surrounding it (Citgo sign not included).
However, for them to pull this off, they are really going to need crisp looking street treatment around it, not the typical Boston let's do this project 90% of the way and then abandon it once its reaches functionality, damn the aesthetics.....I'm looking at you blue-line subway station bus drop off area.
At the risk of public scorn, I actually like the new bus..umm..shelter? I understand the criticisms about its ineffectiveness against weather, likely lack of maintenence, etc., but I can't help but like it's quirky juxtaposition in that area....It's one of those things that if seen for the first time makes you stop, tilt your head, and at least notice it, or at least be distracted by it which isn't a bad thing considering the hodgepodge of crappy development surrounding it (Citgo sign not included).
However, for them to pull this off, they are really going to need crisp looking street treatment around it, not the typical Boston let's do this project 90% of the way and then abandon it once its reaches functionality, damn the aesthetics.....I'm looking at you blue-line subway station bus drop off area.
Beton Brut
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Re: T construction news
This may be a case of the temporary solution being more sound than the permanent one.
Only time will tell.
This may be a case of the temporary solution being more sound than the permanent one.
Only time will tell.
Re: T construction news
I think the reason you don't have side panels here or in other places like the Silver line in the South End is that they wind up being plastered with posters and painted with graffity. They might not be perfect shelters from the elements but at least they won't look like trash afrer a few weeks.
I think the reason you don't have side panels here or in other places like the Silver line in the South End is that they wind up being plastered with posters and painted with graffity. They might not be perfect shelters from the elements but at least they won't look like trash afrer a few weeks.
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Re: T construction news
Jesus-tap dancing-Christ. Who the fuck ok'd this thing? What are those vertical glass things? What is gonna happen after the first snow? I'll tell you, the snow will get trapped up there and melt on top of people as they wait for the bus.
Jesus-tap dancing-Christ. Who the fuck ok'd this thing? What are those vertical glass things? What is gonna happen after the first snow? I'll tell you, the snow will get trapped up there and melt on top of people as they wait for the bus.
Re: T construction news
Whats the question?
About the bus shelters inside?
Whats wrong with them. Even many subway stations use them. Ride the Blue line, and even though you have brick behind you, a roof above, the area over the track is open, so the shelters are welcome.
Whats the question?
About the bus shelters inside?
Whats wrong with them. Even many subway stations use them. Ride the Blue line, and even though you have brick behind you, a roof above, the area over the track is open, so the shelters are welcome.