Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
We, the undersigned, urgently request that the imminent demolition of the Casey Overpass in Jamaica Plain be halted and a public review of this project be initiated, for the following reasons: 1) the proposed project represents a gross waste of state funds, as the facility can be restored to working condition for a fraction of the cost of the proposed demolition and reordering of the surface roadways, 2) if implemented as proposed the new roadway arrangement would drastically, and dangerously, increase the amount of air pollution in Jamaica Plain, as well as the surrounding towns of Hyde Park, Roslindale, and Roxbury, causing severe environmental damage, and increased healthcare costs for the residents, 3) as access to local businesses would be slowed and obstructed, the local economy would be degraded, 4) the area of the proposed changes, Forest Hills, is about to undergo a considerable expansion in population, as eight new construction projects, including a housing group with up to 1200 units, are set to begin in the Spring. This will necessitate more, not less, access to the Forest Hills area.
We therefore request that plans for the closing of the Casey Overpass be put on hold while these issues, of potentially great importance to the economy of the entire Boston area, can be sorted out in a rational manner, free of the undue pressure, cavalier treatment of health concerns, and gross misrepresentation of the facts as presented by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
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3 Comments
It amazes me that Boston can afford to ressurect the muddy river, an unnecessary, expensive and time consumming project, but cannot find the finds to restore the Casey overpass in Forest Hills. This bridge has effectively enabled thousands of commuters who don't stop in JP to travel east and illeviate traffic jams surrounding Forest Hill Station, South Street, the Arborway, Forest Hills St and Washington St. The communities effected by this traffic nightmare are Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, Hyde Park, Roslindale, Jamaica Hills, Centre, Washington, Arborway and South Streets. I transport kids and provide after school transportation to sports activities for kids and before the construction started I have found myself waiting for up to 20 minutes at the light at forest hills and south street. This is the worst solution to the problem of repairing this bridge.
I have been concerned from the very beginning. Amazed that such a plan was even considered, then astonished to see it proudly proposed, and not must surprised when it gat accepted but sad that all the meaningful (so-called) politicians at the very least declined from commenting. I voted for the mayor since he was the only candidate who voiced any level of concern about the project (his concern seems to have been framed as a comment about not feeling that the entire process that got the plan THIS far was transparent enough...then after he got elected, a loud chorus of chirping crickets, indicative of a silent non-response, or some comment that it was already a done deal. How anyone can honestly say that removing that bridge and bring to one plane of activity all the traffic that currently bypasses the area is the best thing to do, that is remarkably shortsighted. I won't say it's dumb, or stupid, or idiotic, since those words are too inflammatory - it does seem to be condescending and all too typical of agencies who only want to make money...why can''t a governor or a mayor SEE that a sardine can will only hold just so many sardines, and no more than that? Time was this was known as The Crybaby State, but there is something worth crying about when the Plan for Pain is this big. Will nobody slow down and rethink this? The JP neighborhood is not fractured by the presence of this bridge. Any fractures are more likely caused by people who are too self-absorbed in other ways to simply reach out to other human beings and be kind in simple ways. Thank you for reading.
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
We, the undersigned, urgently request that the imminent demolition of the Casey Overpass in Jamaica Plain be halted and a public review of this project be initiated, for the following reasons: 1) the proposed project represents a gross waste of state funds, as the facility can be restored to working condition for a fraction of the cost of the proposed demolition and reordering of the surface roadways, 2) if implemented as proposed the new roadway arrangement would drastically, and dangerously, increase the amount of air pollution in Jamaica Plain, as well as the surrounding towns of Hyde Park, Roslindale, and Roxbury, causing severe environmental damage, and increased healthcare costs for the residents, 3) as access to local businesses would be slowed and obstructed, the local economy would be degraded, 4) the area of the proposed changes, Forest Hills, is about to undergo a considerable expansion in population, as eight new construction projects, including a housing group with up to 1200 units, are set to begin in the Spring. This will necessitate more, not less, access to the Forest Hills area.
We therefore request that plans for the closing of the Casey Overpass be put on hold while these issues, of potentially great importance to the economy of the entire Boston area, can be sorted out in a rational manner, free of the undue pressure, cavalier treatment of health concerns, and gross misrepresentation of the facts as presented by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
3 Comments
Casey Overpass foundations are remarkably sound and only the decking requires replacement. We can save millions of dollars and months of chaos by keeping Route 203 isolated from local traffic and restoring the overpass. 21st century expansion joints and surfacing could provide decades of efficient and effective traffic mitigation.
It amazes me that Boston can afford to ressurect the muddy river, an unnecessary, expensive and time consumming project, but cannot find the finds to restore the Casey overpass in Forest Hills. This bridge has effectively enabled thousands of commuters who don't stop in JP to travel east and illeviate traffic jams surrounding Forest Hill Station, South Street, the Arborway, Forest Hills St and Washington St. The communities effected by this traffic nightmare are Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, Hyde Park, Roslindale, Jamaica Hills, Centre, Washington, Arborway and South Streets. I transport kids and provide after school transportation to sports activities for kids and before the construction started I have found myself waiting for up to 20 minutes at the light at forest hills and south street. This is the worst solution to the problem of repairing this bridge.
I have been concerned from the very beginning. Amazed that such a plan was even considered, then astonished to see it proudly proposed, and not must surprised when it gat accepted but sad that all the meaningful (so-called) politicians at the very least declined from commenting. I voted for the mayor since he was the only candidate who voiced any level of concern about the project (his concern seems to have been framed as a comment about not feeling that the entire process that got the plan THIS far was transparent enough...then after he got elected, a loud chorus of chirping crickets, indicative of a silent non-response, or some comment that it was already a done deal. How anyone can honestly say that removing that bridge and bring to one plane of activity all the traffic that currently bypasses the area is the best thing to do, that is remarkably shortsighted. I won't say it's dumb, or stupid, or idiotic, since those words are too inflammatory - it does seem to be condescending and all too typical of agencies who only want to make money...why can''t a governor or a mayor SEE that a sardine can will only hold just so many sardines, and no more than that? Time was this was known as The Crybaby State, but there is something worth crying about when the Plan for Pain is this big. Will nobody slow down and rethink this? The JP neighborhood is not fractured by the presence of this bridge. Any fractures are more likely caused by people who are too self-absorbed in other ways to simply reach out to other human beings and be kind in simple ways. Thank you for reading.
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Casey Overpass foundations are remarkably sound and only the decking requires replacement. We can save millions of dollars and months of chaos by keeping Route 203 isolated from local traffic and restoring the overpass. 21st century expansion joints and surfacing could provide decades of efficient and effective traffic mitigation.