Four Public Meetings Scheduled on Routes for Hazmat Vehicles

Following several public meetings a City of Boston study and numerous comments and letters sent to MassDOT, four public meetings have been scheduled to discuss the possible City of Boston’s proposed Non-Radioactive Hazardous Material route on city streets.

The City’s proposal to ban hazmat cargo vehicles from Boston’s streets, unless they have business on the streets, has the full support of Mayor Thomas Menino, Congressman Mike Capuano, Senator Anthony Petruccelli, Representative Aaron Michlewitz and Boston City Councilor Sal LaMattina.

Both community groups, the North End/Waterfront Neighborhood Council and the North End/Waterfront Residents’ Association have expressed numerous public safety concerns with the current route and also support the City’s proposal along with many other residents.

The current route cuts through a thickly settled residential community, by a community public pool, several baseball fields, many local businesses, numerous public parks and playgrounds and a US Coast Guard Base.

The purpose of these hearings is to provide the public with the opportunity to provide testimony and comments regarding the City of Boston’s routing analysis and proposed Non-Radioactive Hazardous Material through routing designation along I-93/I-95. All views and comments made at the hearing will be reviewed and considered to the maximum extent possible. MassDOT and City of Boston representatives will be present to discuss the proposed route and answer questions.

Under the proposed routing designation, the City of Boston would prohibit the use of City streets for the “through” transportation of Non-Radioactive Hazardous Material where there is neither a point of origin nor destination within the City of Boston. The proposal would designate I-93/I-95 as the prescribed through route over which such Non-Radioactive Hazardous Material approaching the City of Boston is to be transported. Within Boston, only shipments to destinations/points of origin located within the City would be permissible, provided the motor carrier applies for and receives a permit from the City.

The four hearings are scheduled as follows:

Boston-Tuesday, August 23, 6:30-8:30pm, State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, 2nd Floor, Boston.

Quincy-Wednesday, August 24, 6:30-8:30pm, Thomas Crane Public Library, 40 Washington Street, Quincy.

Waltham-Tuesday, August 30, 6:30-8:30pm, Clark Government Center, Main Auditorium, 119 School Street, Waltham.

Stoneham-Thursday, September 1, 6:30-8:30pm, Stoneham Town Hall Auditorium, 35 Central Street, Stoneham.