State officials got an earful at a hearing held yesterday in Boston regarding their proposal to reevaluate the three remaining transit projects promised as mitigation for the reconstruction of the Central Artery.
When the $15 billion Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel project was permitted in the early 90's, it was approved with the condition that 26 transit improvements be completed as mitigation. Of those projects, three of the most expensive are still outstanding. The Massachusetts Transportation and Environmental Protection departments are starting a process of reevaluating whether these projects are the "best" projects for meeting clean air targets and other goals. However, neighborhoods and cities that believe these projects were promised to them in return for not opposing the Central Artery crying foul. "'It was an ironclad commitment then, and it should remain so now,' Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone said. 'Somerville is here today to send a simple message: A deal is a deal.'"
Thanks to Jeff Levine
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