What is your reaction to DNC road and rail closures?
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?
Read the story: North Station, I-93 to be shut down during convention
Page 25
No, but I'm sure people will find a way to pin this one on Bush, too.
Frank, Boston
Why is this convention being held at the Fleet Center, when we're having a brand new convention center built? I thought the main purpose for the new convention center in South Boston was to hold the DNC, and that there had been a bit of hullabalu because it was the only convention scheduled there as of yet. Why does Menino think it's so great that the DNC is coming here when it only means MORE commuting headaches for the people who actually support this state? I understand the $112 million or so that it will generate in revenue for the entire state, but does he REALLY think that all of Boston is going to be able to, and happy to, stop what they're doing for the whole week? I guess it's the same attitude that he has that since technology jobs are coming to the area, it doesn't matter that there's a luxury condo building on every corner, since all the people who live in Boston already will just suck it up and move.
Paula, Jamaica Plain
A few things, first the convention was not sold to the public with the intent of shutting down I93. Second why do we have a convention center again? If we didn't have a convention center this might be a different tail, but remember when Bob Kraft wanted to put a state of the art convention center and hotel in Boston? Gee that would have come in handy here. I guess this can also go back to the Big Dig plans that left the Fleet Center out. The seven P's are definately in effect here.
Craig, Hanson
I understand the importance of the DNC, and the economic impact it may have on Boston but Mayor Menino did not due his homework as usual before submitting his bid to have the convention in our great city. As the shutdown won't directly effect me as I will be on vacation that week and have hopes to leave town to avoid all the kaos our Mayor has inflicted on us, I think it is wrong to shut down the highway and transportation centers. I understand why they are doing it, but The Fleet Center should never have been the venue chosen for the convention. If the Mayor did his homework all of this could have been avoided. The only individual we have to blame for the entire fiasco is our Mayor and his administration.
Ben, Boston
Aren't the Dems worried that they will lose Massachusetts voters due to the incovinience they will inflict? It seems like good politics to move to the Convention Center to me...
Eric, Newton
I think they should move the democratic convention down to P Town. That would be a good place for them to have there rally and for Kerry as well.
Cheryl, Quincy
I read through the first 4 pages of responses and there are about two responses therein that feel the closure is justified. How long have we waited for I93 to be completed so that traffic could start moving through the City? Now they're going to shut it down? Good move. Romney is right - The Convention should be held in the new "Convention Center." Otherwise, let people like Bill and Hillary sit in traffic like the rest of us "little people." Better yet, make them take the T to North Station.
Guy, Foxboro
It is about time we get a new mayor.
Steve, Brighton
The idea of closing down North Station and I-93 is moronic. This is almost as absurd as the time Clinton wanted a haircut aboard Air Force One in Los Angeles. This stopped all air traffic into and out of LAX for 90 minutes. The Democrats don't mind inconveniencing the residents and commuters as long as they get what they want. Move the convention to the new convention center in South Boston. Remember the new smoking ban? It doesn't take effect until just after the convention. The bars will be allowed to stay open later during then convention. What a coincidence. Boston belongs to the residents and commuters, not conventioneers.
Dave, Charlton
This is going to be a HUGE pain. What about people that have to get to work? Rutherford Ave. is going to be so jammed and the Charlestown Bridge is supposedly in bad shape.
Arturo, Boston
