A Vision for Boston:
Questions for the 2009 Mayoral Candidates

Day 11: Transportation

What are your top 3 priorities for transportation-related projects? How do you expect to fund them?

Response from Mayor Menino:

Keeping people, goods and services moving swiftly and safely through the city is important for both the City’s economy and its environment. I am pushing investment in several key areas:

Building More Livable Streets

The car is no longer king. We are building a modern transportation system that works equally well for people with disabilities, cyclists, pedestrians and drivers. My new Complete Streets Task Force will set the standards for this effort.

Reducing Roadway Congestion

To reduce traffic congestion, we are increasing the effectiveness of traffic signals through an investment in our state-of-the-art traffic management center which allows us to improve the timing of signals in real time, and upgrading roadway conditions throughout the city.

Enhancing Public Transportation

Public transportation links people with all the opportunities Boston offers. We must support critical MBTA efforts such as Silver Line Phase III, improved Fenway and Allston commuter rail service, and increased reliability and expansion of bus service.

While a great transportation network is costly to maintain and build, it is far more expensive to ignore. To fund enhancements, we need to seek additional federal funding, consider changes to the gas tax, and explore operational efficiencies at the MBTA.