Rutherford Ave / Sullivan Square Redesign
The redesign of Rutherford Avenue and Sullivan Square in Charlestown was reopened once again in 2016, approximately three years after the Surface Option design was selected by the City of Boston. In May 2017, the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) stated that the City had changed its position and has selected the Underpass Option which would reconstruct underpasses at Sullivan Square and Austin Street.
This summer, RCIC submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to get data and drawings from BTD regarding both alternatives. Technical assistance was received from two transportation professionals who reviewed the materials received. In addition, at a meeting of the Lower Mystic Regional Working Group (LMRWG) in September 2017, a representative of MAPC stated that its transportation models found a negligible impact on regional traffic when comparing the Underpass and Surface Options. After reviewing the most recent data and design alternatives, RCIC maintains its position that the surface option for the entire corridor is the superior alternative for the Charlestown neighborhood and the region. We have updated this website in fall 2017 to provide the latest information available and offer commentary on the merits of the alternatives under consideration. Please check back soon for updates. |
Can you help? Yes!Upcoming MeetingsA BTD meeting regarding the Rutherford Ave/Sullivan Square Design Project is scheduled as follows:
Wednesday, June 23, 2021 Virtual Meeting Register to attend with MassDOT Click here to review materials from prior BTD meetings. |
Recent Neighborhood Flooding
During the January 4, 2018 "bomb" storm, the Charlestown neighborhood experienced flooding at the Schrafft's Center and in the Navy Yard. In addition, a number of homes on Baldwin Street, between Main Street and Rutherford Avenue, experienced flooding in their basements due to the elevated water table. On Friday-Saturday, March 2-3, 2018, significant flooding occurred at the Schrafft's Center parking lot and along the Little Mystic Channel (i.e., high school fields). The Saturday midday high tide crested just below the lands edge in the Navy Yard. (See Climate Resiliency page for photos.)
Recent Transportation Issues
No recent issues.
A Road To Bring Us Together
Charlestown is facing a historic opportunity to redesign Rutherford Avenue as a vibrant city street that works for everyone, instead of a quasi-highway that divides. While the expansion of Rutherford Avenue in the 1950's-60’s addressed significant traffic issues of the times, the road is far wider than needed today due to changing traffic patterns.
After completion of the Big Dig, I-93 is more attractive to commuters traveling into Boston. Rutherford Avenue's 10 lanes are no longer needed. The congestion now is a result of traffic pinch points at the Sullivan Square rotary and construction projects at the Alford Street Bridge and the Mystic/Tobin Bridge. And where there is open road, cars sometimes go over 55 mph very close to the homes of Charlestown residents. A redesigned Rutherford can calm this traffic and move it smoothly, so cars don't cut through our neighborhood.
Chain link fences, concrete barriers, and large open channels separate our neighborhood from the opposite side of the street and make it difficult to get to nearby neighborhoods of Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville. We want a road that effectively handles regional transportation and works best for Charlestown residents and businesses.
Given the fact that efforts to redesign the road began 20+ years ago and the cost of the project is high, we can expect that the final design selected will stay in place for the next century, if not longer. Let's work together to create a road that moves us into the future, not one designed to solve the problems of the past.
After completion of the Big Dig, I-93 is more attractive to commuters traveling into Boston. Rutherford Avenue's 10 lanes are no longer needed. The congestion now is a result of traffic pinch points at the Sullivan Square rotary and construction projects at the Alford Street Bridge and the Mystic/Tobin Bridge. And where there is open road, cars sometimes go over 55 mph very close to the homes of Charlestown residents. A redesigned Rutherford can calm this traffic and move it smoothly, so cars don't cut through our neighborhood.
Chain link fences, concrete barriers, and large open channels separate our neighborhood from the opposite side of the street and make it difficult to get to nearby neighborhoods of Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville. We want a road that effectively handles regional transportation and works best for Charlestown residents and businesses.
Given the fact that efforts to redesign the road began 20+ years ago and the cost of the project is high, we can expect that the final design selected will stay in place for the next century, if not longer. Let's work together to create a road that moves us into the future, not one designed to solve the problems of the past.
