Ron Newman
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yes, and the MBTA uses it to move commuter-rail equipment between the north and south sides. You can't convert it to light rail while these uses still exist.
Is comuter rail crossing a street that much different (in terms of disruption) than a cross street getting a green light (and Mass Ave a red)?
'm assuming whatever MBTA movement and freight trains that cross happen rarely, and probably at very off-peak hours, whereas commuter rail would necessarily operate more frequently at rush hour.
Wrong and wrong. The freight passes by daily, and the return trip is during evening rush hour. The MBTA usually does use it at night.
And again, someone explain to me how a 6 car train moving at 30mph is disruptive? It takes less time to pass than any cross street would get green for.
And there will be, at best, 4 trains a day doing this move. Remember, the goal isnt to move the worcester line, its to supplement it.
Exactly, that's it exactly.
This country of drivers (said pejoratively) is so accustomed to giant traffic jams from other motor vehicles, but.... the minute a train, bicyclist, pedestrian or any other non-vehicular obstruction gets in their way for a mminute they scream like third grade brats.
There are ways to make sharing work, but it requires tightening the freight schedule and having equipment moves only after hours.yes, and the MBTA uses it to move commuter-rail equipment between the north and south sides. You can't convert it to light rail while these uses still exist.
To be honest, it would actually be a really good place for an El right above the Grand Junction tracks.
I've walked this line before. The road crossings are going to be a big problem, not just from ignorant drivers but just basic traffic. For the time being it would probably make sense to just throw in gates but if the line does begin to back traffic up then the state is looking at some costly grade separations. That, and since MIT built over the ROW there will be a number of crossings that will always be an at-grade crossing.
Still, this might be good, especially for game nights at the Garden. But what about all the people who work in the Back Bay and Financial District?
And if anyone is wondering, I'm almost certain that the Grand Junction Line never served passengers. From what I've seen it was all freight, bypassing downtown Boston for the docks in East Boston.