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
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It is my understanding that NY will not be shutting down transit for the Republican Convention. I would like to know what the justification is that makes planning different for NY. As a rail commuter into North Stattion, communting will be a test of endurance. Our commute will be hours longer. I understand the need for some security and inconvenience, but it appears that commuting will be a nightmare. I could drive and come in through the Ted Williams Tunnel but that roadway will be overwhelmed also. I hope that the inconvenience will be less than stated now.
Susan , Wenaham
Unjustified and enough of a reason for me to vote Republican in November.
Mike, Boston
NO they are not justified I have an almost 2 hour commute as it is..This is absolutely ridiculous. I also pay 2500.00 annually for a t-pass! What compensation do I get for this inconvenience? I think that the politicians should be at the train station greeting commuters, not aggravating them!
Robin , Pepperell
The closures are absolutely necessary. In today's world it is beyond me why there is such an uproar in regards to protecting the people and visitors of Massachusetts. With the downward spiral of our economic state, why is the state complicating what ultimately will bring a welcomed cash flow and jobs to this area? MA lobbied hard for this convention to be here and what could be more exciting than the Democratic nominee hailing from our very state? This is definetly an inconvenience that can be and must be dealt with in order to help this state get back on it's feet. It would be irresponsible to ignore the obvious security issues.
Laurie, Andover
Well closing down North station is ok because it is a security risk but keeping bars around the Fleet center open till 4 am that’s ok. It really is great to know that as tax paying citizens of Massachusetts we are the ones that have to be discouraged from coming in to the city.
John, Harrington
The disruption is not worth the "prestige" of having the convention in the city. It is going to be a nightmare for the common folk outside while the democratic fat cats party inside. Someone wasn't looking at the big picture when they lobbied to bring this thing here.
Gary , Danvers
Every time there is a Red Sox game, traffic is jammed up for hours and for miles around Kenmore Square, and it takes an extra hour to get through there. No one complains about that, but when we have a once every five decades event for our basic democratic rights, people complain. People need to get their priorties straight.
Henry , Newton
George from Leominster needs to wake up. Why should people have to burn vacation time in order to avoid this mess? This whole situation has just become absurd!! Closing down 93 for a week?!? Are you kidding me?
Mike, Boston
Of course it's not justified. The so-called Democratic Convention is a conglomeration of very rich,greedy, power hungry individuals and wanna-bes-(just like their Republican counter-parts)-who could care less for the working-class people that commute to and from work every day. They'll roll up their shirt-sleeves at the convention to look like us-(working-class), but in between bites of brie and cavier they won't be thinking of the huge traffic jams, stress and grief they caused outside. Why don't they wear powdered wigs instead of rolled-up sleeves? That would be more appropriate for these "let them eat cake and huge traffic jam phonies"!
Joseph , Somerville
My personal opinion is that if they have to shut down these major roads, they should have the convention from 1 to 4 am when the traffic is lightest.
anthony , boston
