Dems the brakes: DNC will shut down I-93 – and North Station, too [Boston goes mental!]

The Boston Herald ^ | March 31, 2004 | Ellen J. Silberman and Robin Washington

[johnny7]

It's official - July's Democratic convention will bring a long-feared nightmare scenario for Hub commuters with shutdowns of North Station and the Central Artery. The two gateways to Boston for thousands of daily commuters from the north and northwest will be closed for security reasons at the FleetCenter convention where Sen. John F. Kerry [related, bio] will accept his party's nomination.

North Station will be closed the Friday before the four-day convention - which runs July 26-29 - and remain closed during the entire event, until Democratic delegates leave town, sources said. The seven-day shuttering will come just as T riders are being detoured onto buses because of a Green Line construction project. It was unclear last night what stations rail commuters will be directed to use once North Station is closed. Portions of Interstate 93 and the Central Artery will be closed periodically as well, throughout the convention. The Associated Press reported those closings will occur during evening rush hours. Southbound I-93 runs just feet from the FleetCenter. Boston Police Department honchos and U.S. Secret Service officials this morning will brief reporters on the transportation plan.

About 25,000 rail commuters use North Station daily, while up to 200,000 motorists use the new I-93 tunnel. Today's announcement represents the beginning of the campaign to publicize convention-related security and transportation changes so that residents can plan around the inconveniences. U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Somerville) has suggested that businesses take a week off in July to avoid convention-related inconveniences. While declining to specifically comment on the convention closure, Big Dig spokesman Sean O'Neill told the Herald recently Route 128 would take the bulk of any traffic shunted off I-93. ``Route 128 is the detour route for emergencies,'' he said. Yet that Woburn interchange is miles away from the FleetCenter, and drivers may clamor for the road to remain open all the way to Somerville where they could try their luck on secondary arteries, such as Routes 16 or 99. ``I would hope they would only close it at the bridge,'' said Ivan Sever of the National Motorists Association, who said Route 1A, leading to the Sumner and Williams tunnels, may prove a better alternative for many drivers. ``It doesn't make sense to go all the way around on 128 and the Pike if you're going from Reading to South Station,'' he said. Sever predicted the closure may not be as draconian as threatened. ``I think they'll do it for an afternoon or two when the big shots come in or when they leave. I don't think it'll be for days,'' he said.

The Herald reported in October that traffic would have to be detoured - at least when Secret Service protectees like presidential contender Kerry and former President Bill Clinton are in the arena. Neither city nor convention officials would comment on the security plan. But they have made clear that security will be exceptionally tight given the Democratic event is the first national nominating convention since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Because of the potential security risks and traffic disruptions, Republican Gov. Mitt Romney [related, bio] suggested earlier this month that the convention be moved to a nearly completed new convention center in South Boston. But Democrats dismissed Romney's comments as political posturing to make his rival party look bad.      

[johnny7]

U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Somerville) has suggested that businesses take a week off in July to avoid convention-related inconveniences.

Good, sound business logic from a butt-swabbing socialist hack. Seal-off the city... call it a vacation... money is no object, the voters will pay for it all! Look at it this way... if some 'dirty bombs' go off, the city will be already quarantined.

[The G Man]

Hey, did Massachusetts just go from "Solid Kerry" to "Likely Kerry"??

LOL!

[camle]

ought to take out billboard adds "Blame Kennedy!"

[Cboldt]

But Democrats dismissed Romney's comments as political posturing to make his rival party look bad.

You just can't make this stuff up. Offer a way to run the convention without -forcing- downtown businesses to curtail their activity, and in the process be labeled the troublemaker.

[Lyford]

Traffic nightmare bump

[Schnucki]

But they have made clear that security will be exceptionally tight given the Democratic event is the first national nominating convention since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

There's no way that the terrorists would attack a democrat. If anything is clear, the terrorists want the democrats to win.

[Diogenesis]

There should be a detour. The Democrats will be enjoying
taxpayer-funded prostitutes, alcohol, food and drugs.
Therefore, the little people MUST be kept far away.

[kittymyrib]

Boston don't need no steenking business...and they moan that MA has lost more jobs than any other state. Duh!

[Tijeras_Slim]

It will only affect people who want to get to work, i.e. conservatives.

[StriperSniper]

LOL! I didn't get past the first couple paragraphs and that was my first thought!

[Fierce Allegiance]

Or put up signs that used to be very prevalent (until they got re-placed on the slum buildings in Lawrence & lowell) - "Kennedy Country"

It would be very interesting to parade around the north end and up the charles with "Democrats - Bad for Boston" signs during the convention, although i think it could shorten one's life.

[jackbill]

First, the RATs spend $14 billion on the Big Dig, then they shut it down. Wonderful.

[mewzilla]

Because of the potential security risks and traffic disruptions, Republican Gov. Mitt Romney [related, bio] suggested earlier this month that the convention be moved to a nearly completed new convention center in South Boston. But Democrats dismissed Romney's comments as political posturing to make his rival party look bad.

Southie's not good enough for them.

[OrioleFan]

Don't they also have to round up the homeless and move them to Beacon Hill?

[JimVT]

. U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Somerville) has suggested that businesses take a week off in July to avoid convention-related inconveniences

Big Dig spokesman Sean O'Neill told the Herald recently Route 128 would take the bulk of any traffic shunted off I-93.

I'm having trouble making a decision this morning.

Which of these two ideas is the dumbest!

[gunnedah]

Better be careful folks. John Kerry and Ted Kennedy may get Congress to dig another whole in the ground costing us 15 Billion and 12 years behind schedule.
With these two being able to drain America and with both isles of Congress aiding, hell with Kerry president maybe they move the Capitol to Boston.

[not_apathetic_anymore]

When I first read the headline I thought, you mean they're gonna have people walking across the freeways and protesting causes. They do that in seattle, though it's been a few months since the leaders have used that particular tactic.

[Arrowhead1952]

Because of the potential security risks and traffic disruptions, Republican Gov. Mitt Romney [related, bio] suggested earlier this month that the convention be moved to a nearly completed new convention center in South Boston. But Democrats dismissed Romney's comments as political posturing to make his rival party look bad.

Character assassination and political posturing are now the main DNC talking points.

Wonder if they consider what they have done to Condi Rice as character assassination?

[wingster]

"Boston don't need no steenking business..."

LOL...

Maybe Kerry can sit in traffic and get his hair done for a few hours and shut down the routes, just as a warm-up!

[smiley]

....and the dems will blame Bush for this..