Security for DNC to snarl X-way (Boston Convention)

By Rick Klein and Anthony Flint, Globe Staff, 10/30/2003

The Secret Service and security officials are considering rerouting Interstate 93 traffic near the FleetCenter during next July's Democratic National Convention, and they might even shut down the new underground southbound lanes.

Convention organizers stressed that no decisions have been made and said that arrangements would be worked out to accommodate commuters and minimize the disruption of the convention. Jean Mitchell, a spokeswoman for the Secret Service, said the proximity of I-93 to the FleetCenter is a concern for the agency, which is coordinating security with Boston police.

"We're trying to secure that area for not only the protectees, but also for the residents of the city," she said. "There will be traffic flow concerns. But we know that the people of Boston have to conduct their lives, so we try not to disrupt them to the extent that's possible."

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2003/10/30/security_for_dnc_to_snarl_x_way/

This sounds like commuting in Boston will be really really messy.

If they want the entire city of Boston pissed off at the Dems, the way

to do it is to shut 93, leading to 3+ hour commutes.

It ain't called "the central artery" just for fun.

Both lanes will be underground by then (the second underground lane is supposed to open within weeks). The tunnel comes aboveground just beyond the Fleet Center. I guess it depends on what security threat they're thinking about. It would take a stupendously huge car bomb to do any real damage at that distance--it's not like the highway, where it opens out, is right at the foot of the building--it's a couple hundred yards away. And it's not like the building is a glass-and-steel office building--that side is a huge blank concrete wall. You could sit there firing RPGs at it to no effect.

Well, I haven't read the arguments on the other side yet, but this would be hellish. God, it's going to be crazy getting to work even without it, for me. I take the T from Lechemere to Gov't Center and back, with the North Station/Fleet Center stop smack in the middle. Come to think of it, the route wraps right around the building and is all above-ground through that section. Expect I'll see lots of guys in sunglasses and dark suits with the little cords running down from their ears. Actually, come to think of it, I hope I do. The Green Line comes MUCH closer to the vulnerable areas of the Fleet Center than 93 does. Yikes. Hadn't thought about this....

The trains being stopped before getting to North Station will be a major headache. There's the option of getting off at Porter Sq and picking up the red line but that won't work for everyone.

This is really going to be crap for commuters.

> Come to think of it, the route wraps right around the building and is
> all above-ground through that section.

By that time, the Green line may be UNDER the Fleet Center; the
work is on-going now and you can certainly still see it around the
Orange/Green North Station "superstation". They've also been discussing
closing North Station (the commuter rail) and the T's North Station
stop and potentially the Orange and Green lines. If they do that, we
all might as well just take vacation because there will be no getting
to Boston from the I-93 North area.


> And it's not like the building is a glass-and-steel office
> building--that side is a huge blank concrete wall.

Look closer; there's definitely lots of glass up around "expressway"
level. (I ride past it every day.)

Atlant

Said they plan to build a temporary platform farther away from the Fleet Center itself.

Just took the southbound on-ramp this a.m. that wraps tightly around the Fleet--that's probably the worst spot. I work at the Aquarium and we're in the running to host some of the ancillary meetings for the convention, so it's going to be a wild time however the traffic thing works out (or doesn't).

Where Legal is now.

...but in the big pudding stone building with the turret-shape, right on 93. Has a giant red ribbon around it every Christmas. At first I was disappointed I wouldn't be in the Aq. bldg, but now I'm glad. Much nicer office space over here and it doesn't smell like fish.

Getting to sound like a Lounge discussion here....