Charles River Parkways and Bridges

Original action alert: March 31, 2009
Update and action alert #2: April 29, 2009

Update: July 8, 2009

On June 26th, Governor Patrick signed into law a transportation bill that creates a new state agency, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.  In addition to merging the transportation agencies, the bill transfers custody and control of all DCR bridges, and several DCR parkways (including the McGrath and O’Brien Highways, Columbia Road, Morton Street, and Gallivan Boulevard) to the new MassDOT.

Thanks to calls and letters from concerned citizens, and with the help of key legislators including Marty Walz and Alice Wolfe, DCR maintained control of many of its signature parkways, including the Charles River and Emerald Necklace parkways.  However, with the new meta-agency now fully in charge of all Charles River bridges, and more parkway transfers possible in the future, CRWA will need to keep a close eye on the new agency and its management of the bridges and parkways.

Click here for the Patrick Administration’s one-page PDF fact sheet on the transportation reform bill.

Click here to view the complete transportation bill (PDF).

Why CRWA supports keeping parkways with DCR

DCR’s bridges and parkways are an integral part of the Charles River parkland and are cultural and historic landmarks. Click here to view a list of DCR parkways which are historically significant and/or listed in the National Register of Historic Places. (Source: Historic Parkways Preservation Treatment Guidelines draft)

Maintenance of the parkways is fundamentally different from that of highways.  It requires a more hands-on approach that factors in plants and trees, sidewalks, and pedestrian and bicycle safety.  DCR has had years of experience planning, designing and maintaining this integrated system of bridges, parkways and parklands; they have also built up significant in-house capacity to care for these resources, including improving stormwater management, and are committed to public participation.  Transferring these bridges and parkways to MassHighway, or a new mega-transportation agency, is in effect handing over park assets to a highway agency.  The state’s historic bridges and parkways should remain under DCR’s care, custody and control.

Map of DCR's parkways (in red). Click for larger image.

Over the past ten years, there have been multiple attempts to transfer DCR parkways & bridges to MassHighway, all of which were defeated; we need your help to defeat this once again.  

Talking points

- No cost savings from a transfer have been documented.

- The transfer of the parkways would have a negative impact on the DCR park system and our enjoyment of it.   

- Arguments that federal funds will become available if the parkways and bridges are transferred to a transportation agency are not accurate. In the past, DCR and MassHighway have developed Memorandums of Understanding that allow a temporary transfer so that federal funds could be accessed. 

- There is no evidence that Mass Highway or a new transportation agency will do a better job of caring for our parkways and bridges. In fact, there is concern that these assets will not receive the attention they need when they are added to the long list of needed roadway and bridge improvements.

Take Action!

Please call your state Senator and Representative today, and ask them to contact the Conference Committee members and urge them to keep control of the parkways with MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Conference Committee members are Senators Steven Baddour, Stephen Brewer and Robert Hedlund, and House negotiators Reps. Joseph Wagner, George Peterson, and Ways and Means Chairman Charley Murphy.

The main number for the State House is 617-722-2800; you can call and ask for your legislator by name, or tell the operator where you live and be connected to the right person.

Click here to find the name of your representatives.

If you know your representative's name, click here to find his/her direct contact information (phone and email).

Additional Information

Read the March 25 Boston Globe Op-Ed: Keep scenic parkways, bridges under DCR control

View the list of DCR parkways that are historically significant (PDF).

Questions?

Contact Kate Bowditch at CRWA if you have questions or would like more information. Click here for contact information.

To receive regular updates on the status of this action alert as well as other CRWA events and initiatives, join our River Current email newsletter.

Thank you for your support.