A guest blog post, written and generously shared by the Emerald Necklace Conservatory and Charlesgate Alliance. Kudos to all!
The MassDOT Project to reconstruct the bridge over I-90 at the end of the Bowker Overpass was awarded to the contractor Barletta. Physical work is starting in the area in August 2025. Construction is never an easy process, but we hope to work closely with all parties, assist in sharing updates with the community, and help to communicate public concerns if they occur. The bridge design underwent several years of review in public meetings starting in 2021, and designers worked closely with various partner groups, elected officials, state agencies, the community, and civic organizations to develop a plan and incorporate feedback. The new plan will not only improve access and safety for all modes of travel: it will improve and expand access to (and quality of) parkland and amenities; it will improve the environment surrounding the Muddy River, with better management of stormwater and road runoff; and it will provide new greenspace and trees. This phase is planned to take place over four (4) years, beginning in August 2025 and running through 2029.
We are truly excited to see the start of this major project, which will reconnect Charlesgate Park, Commonwealth Avenue Mall, and the Kenmore Area to the Back Bay Fens for many park users and others, for the first time in nearly 60 years. This first phase will consist of rebuilding the bridge over I-90, that will include new and improved pedestrian, bike, and other access. MassDOT has another project planned in the coming years, just north of this one, that will be replacing a bridge and adjacent roadways to provide direct park user access from the Emerald Necklace and Charlesgate to the Esplanade along the Muddy River for the first time since Storrow Drive was built.
Thanks to years of design, planning, and funding from MassDOT, this project is moving forward. Coordination and support from the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the City of Boston, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, the Charlesgate Alliance, the Esplanade Association, the Friends of the Public Garden, and numerous other groups and individuals were key to this project. Additionally, strong support, advocacy, and leadership from multiple elected officials was vital.
Benefits of This Project—Charlesgate Revitalization Project
Phase 1 (renovation of bridge over the Pike) will bring:
- Over 2 acres of park space improvements
- Over 100 new trees and 100 new shrubs to be planted
- Over 1/4 mile of new dedicated bike lanes
- Over 1/4 mile of new ADA accessible shared-use and pedestrian paths
- New crosswalks that make the Charlesgate block of Commonwealth Avenue Mall accessible to the public
- Improved, safer intersection for all users at Boylston Street at the southern end for the Bridge
- A portion of the Muddy River to be restored, and improved management of stormwater and road runoff, preventing them from entering and polluting the Muddy River
- To learn more:
- This project is being built by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). Their webpage for the project is here.
- MassDOT will be holding a virtual public information meeting on Wednesday, September 10th, 2025, at 6pm. Registration information can be found on their website here.
- For information about the organizations and community process along with the current and proposed upcoming work, see the below web links below:
- Charlesgate Alliance Project Page
- Emerald Necklace Conservancy Project Page
View looking North from Boylston Street, at the portion of the new bridge including dedicated bike and pedestrian paths, as well as new trees and plantings. These new access routes will reconnect the Back Bay Fens and the Emerald Necklace to Commonwealth Avenue Mall. (Image from MassDOT public meeting on July 11, 2024)
View looking South from Charlesgate West, at the portion of the new bridge with future dedicated bike and pedestrian paths, as well as new trees and plantings. (Image from MassDOT public meeting on July 11, 2024)
Top image: View looking South at the new bridge and on ramp, adjacent greenspace with new and preserved existing trees, and new public access surrounding the improved and visible Muddy River. (Image from MassDOT public meeting on July 11, 2024)
