lanes for traffic from Gate 4 to Chelsea Street during the PM 

 peak. Based on a concept level assessment this widening appears 

 to be feasible from an engineering standpoint. 



To provide access to parking sites north of Chelsea Street 

 (either under the Tobin Bridge or at Hayes Square), Chelsea 

 Street must be widened on the north side to provide an additional 

 lane for right turns on the westbound approach and on the south 

 side to provide an additional lane for left turns on the 

 eastbound approach. Since the turning lanes require widening on 

 the approach but not the departure sides of the Intersection, the 

 resulting five-lane section would be offset at the garage 

 entrance. The widening of Fifth Street at Gate 4 as previously 

 described Is also necessary. Based on a concept level assessment 

 both of these Improvements appear to be feasible from an 

 engineering standpoint. 



Transit and Pedestrian Access Analysis Findings 



The goal of having 25% of Aquarium visitors reach the Charlestown site via 

 means other than automobile Is achievable with Improvements In pedestrian 

 facilities from downtown, an attractive water shuttle link to the central 

 waterfront and Improved bus connections to nearby MBTA rapid transit lines. The 

 use of water shutt le serv Ice f I ts wel I with the theme of the Aquar lum and would not 

 be subject to the variation of downtown Boston traffic. The analysis shows that 

 two boats, with capacity of 150 passengers, would be required during peak summer 

 periods to reach the 25% goal. Service would be provided every 15 minutes. It Is 

 also Important to note that the walking environment between downtown and the Navy 

 Yard will be greatly Improved as a result of both the CANA project and the 

 depression of the Central Artery. Although It Is a relatively long distance, a 

 good signing system could encourage more visitors to walk from North Station or the 

 Haymarket/Faneul I Hall area. Additional efforts to encourage publ Ic transportat Ion 

 should Involve shuttles between nearby MBTA stations (North Station, Community 

 College and Kendall) and the Navy Yard. 



Special Events 



On days when major events occur In Charlestown, such as Bunker HIM Day or 

 the arrival of tall ships, special transportation management measures will be 

 required to handle large crowds. The Impact of Aquarium traffic during these 

 periods and possible transportation management actions that can be taken by the 

 Aquarium to mitigate these Impacts will be addressed as additional, more detailed 

 environmental studies are completed. 



The remainder of this report provides documentation of the findings described 

 above, along with more detailed descriptions of the transportation services 

 required for the proposed new Aquarium site. The remaining sections Include: 



o Background data, 



o Transportation access assumptions, 



o Traffic analysis results, 



o Parking analysis results, and 



o Transit analysis results. 



