What is your reaction to DNC road and rail closures?

3/31/2004

In a move that is certain to create major headaches for Boston commuters, security officials have announced that Interstate 93 will be shut down in both directions for all four evenings of the Democratic National Convention in July, and North Station will be closed to all commuter rail and subway service. What is your reaction? Are these security precautions justified, or is the Secret Service going overboard? Do the benefits the convention will bring to the city make the inconveniences worthwhile?

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My thought of the shutdown of North Station, the Commuter Rail and surrounding I-93 is that it will, at a minimum, cause great chaos and mayhem for all of the commuters, who travel to Boston on a daily basis as well as the people who are in the area to attend the Convention. Although the need for heightened security is understandable, there must a better way to transport commuters into the city, rather than putting them on busses and dropping them at Haymarket Station. Does everyone realize how many people, under that plan, will be bussed and dropped at the same station at around the same time? Whoever thought this was a good idea should be living in the Emerald City, not Beantown!! This method will only add to the already trumped up chaos and confusion that will be going on in that area because of the DNC. I feel a better option would be to have all commuter rail passengers (heading for North Station) disembark at either Malden Center, or Sullivan Station, thus making it possible for the commuters to continue into Boston via the Orange Line and disembark at the station of their choice, Haymarket, State Street, Back Bay, etc. This will greatly alleviate the bus traffic over the bridge and into the already very cramped city, as well as shuttle people through and away from the North Station area. After all, how many busses can stop at Haymarket at the same time? I, for one, travel every day from Gloucester to North Station, and then on to the Back Bay, where I work. I would be ecstatic to be able to get off of my commuter rail train, say at Sullivan Square, and board the Orange Line to Back Bay Station. That would enable me, as well as throngs of other commuters, to avoid the North Station area altogether. Because all of the trains coming in from the North, would stop at either Malden Station or Sullivan Square, the times of arrival will need to be staggered, thus allowing Orange Line trains to transport people into the City in a more efficient and orderly fashion, as they arrive. The very thought of being dumped at Haymarket, which is right smack in the middle of the chaos and mayhem which will be thrust upon us during the DNC, along with thousands of other commuters, and then have to jostle for a spot on the Orange Line is, let me find a nice way to put it, less than desireable. I do realize that some of the Commuter Rail Lines travelling into North Station do not pass directly by the platforms for the Orange line, but I also do remember about 15 years ago when all trains were doing just that, because the bridge leading to North Station had burned. The DNC is just a few months away. But, that should be enough time to come up with alternative ways into the city for the workers of Boston. Please give us the consideration we deserve!!!

Roseline, Gloucester

Let's see ... Penn Station, NYC handles 600,000 commuters a day and will be open with the Replican National Convention going on upstairs ... North Station, Boston handles 25,000 commuters a day and we need to close it for the convention? I think the convention security personnel need stronger stomachs ... I'll even buy them a 12 ounce bottle of Pepto-Bismol if it will help out.

Brendan, Beacon Hill

Everybody please stop whining. It's only four days and the convention brings in mucho dinero for the city. Isn't there anything else to talk about, like the playoff bound Bruins? All the whining must be from Republicans.

Pat, Boston

Benefits? What benefits? Businesses will shut down, companies have already told employees that they will be forced to take their vacations during the week of the convention. Lives will be disrupted more than we can fathom. The Fleet Center is about the worst place it can be held! Who thought of this one? There are more suitable places in the city/state to accomodate this event. We've had to put up with the big dig for years now, still with no end in sight...and now they're pulling this one. What will Menino think of next?

Maria, South End

The security is justified. Unfortunately shutting down a major portion of the city is not. The convention center on the water front would be a much better location. But King Kerry and King Kennedy don't want it that way. I have been forced into taking a vacation that week so that I will not have to contend with the mess. Thank you, Democrats. Friends of the working man.... NOT......

Brian, Manchester NH

I think it is a smart idea. A little overboard but you can never be too safe when you have a future presedent and a the largest construction project in the world at one place at the same time. The boston police better be out directing traffic in full force otherwise the Boston officials didn't really think about this idea.

David , Boston MA

I think this entire event was NOT well thought out - I think it's a very poor choice of venue for this convention, I think the negative aspects far outweigh any supposed benefits. It's nice they chose Boston - it's terrible they chose the Fleet Center.

M. Boule, Acton

Once again its the average citizens in and around Boston that have to suffer while the politicians conduct another dog and pony show. Commuting into Boston via car is already a nightmare on most mornings and this decision is going to create absolute gridlock. John Kerry and the rest of his cohorts can parade around town and have the spotlight on them while the working class citizens that pay taxes in this state are forced to find alternative routes to work. If we built a convention center and we do not use it for the city's biggest convention then what good is it. I just hope the Bruins go the Stanley Cup finals causing convention organizers to scramble to get the Fleet Center ready for the event.

Dennis, North Reading

This will indeed create a commuter's nightmare - - - I will probably be forced to take vacation days off, just so I won't have to deal with the stress of the problem. The security issue will still be with us, because you'll have people crowded into Haymarket waiting for the busses to shuttle them, and extra security will be needed there. Not a pretty sight, no matter how you look at it!

sandy , salem, ma

Those liars are at it again. Mayor Mineno said there would be no disruptions to the city. I say closing I93 both ways is one! I can't wait for the greatest traffic jam in history here! M0ove the convention to the convention center where it should be anyways!

Bob, Boston