Opinion
Our view: Region gets short shrift in revised transportation plan
One wonders how long North Shore residents, who have shouldered more than their fair share of Big Dig expenses via bridge and tunnel tolls, will be content to be ignored in the state transportation planning process.
A draft study issued by the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization recommends dropping several key regional priorities, including the Blue Line extension to Lynn, the widening of Route 128 between Peabody and Beverly, and improvements to the Route 1 and 114 corridors, from the list of projects it hopes to see completed by 2030.
One can only imagine how bad the congestion on Route 128 will be two decades from now, or how much more difficult it will be to get to Logan Airport or downtown Boston via Routes 1 and 1A.
Apparently this region is viewed as a backwater by those in charge of the state transportation bureaucracy who are glad to take the dollars deposited in the bucket or deducted via transponder at this end of the Tobin Bridge and harbor tunnels, but give it short shrift when it comes to spending on needed improvements.
There is no arguing with Marc Draisen, executive director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and a key MPO member, that funds for major capital improvements are in short supply.
And some of the projects that remain in the plan such as the reconstruction of the Route 93/95 interchange in Woburn and improvements to the Saugus-Malden-Revere stretch of Route 1, will also benefit commuters in this corner of the state. In addition, the $10 million targeted for improvements to Bridge Street in Salem also remain untouched, and there's a chance the city could get a share of the $25 million that's supposed to go for additional parking at the MBTA's rail stations.
Overall, however, the revised plan is a major disappointment in terms of what's still on the drawing board for this area. Certainly it's a slap in the face for the region's political leaders and poses a serious threat to the region's future economic viability.
The North Shore should not take this slight lying down.
- Opinion
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Dale McFeatters: Saluting our 300-million-strong workforce on Labor Day
Americans are an industrious people. They like to work. And they are unhappy when they can't — as shown with the unrest over the current 9 percent-plus unemployment, a rate many countries would take in a second.
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Our View: Region's colleges provide economic advantage
At the recent ceremony marking the opening of the new residence hall on Salem State's Central Campus, there were several comments about how the site was once home to a large light-bulb manufacturing plant.
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Essex County Chronicles: Enterprising Salem merchant built one of America's most famous homes
Sometime in 1668 an up-and-coming young merchant moved into a brand-new, two-and-a-half story mansion on the Salem waterfront. Not yet 25 years old at the time of the move, and recently married to Elizabeth Roberts of Boston, John Turner would live here in high style for the next dozen years with his ever-growing family.
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My View: The unpredictable path of gifts that come from the heart
August was a very exciting time at the Plummer Home in Salem as our boys received a state-of-the-art basketball court, courtesy of football hall-of-famer Steve Young's Forever Young Foundation and the Celtics - RE/MAX Home Court program. As the court was unveiled, 15 teen-age boys were awed by a personal visit from Celtics forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis and Celtics legend Cedric Maxwell.
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Our view: Use influx of education money wisely
School officials here on the North Shore might take a hint from the mayor of Haverhill who is recommending that his school system use at least a portion of its $1 million share of federal Race to the Top money to buy new textbooks.
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Dale McFeatters: Saluting our 300-million-strong workforce on Labor Day
