DOT Under Secretary Rogoff, Boston Mayor Walsh Host Forum on Future of Transportation in the Northeast

BOSTON, Mass. – U.S. Transportation Under Secretary Peter Rogoff and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh today hosted the seventh of 11 nationwide regional forums on the Beyond Traffic draft framework at Boston University. The Beyond Traffic report examines the trends and choices facing America’s transportation infrastructure over the next three decades, including a rapidly growing population, increasing freight volume, demographic shifts in rural and urban areas, and a transportation system facing more frequent extreme weather events. The report predicts increased gridlock nationwide unless changes are made in the near-term.

The town hall style meeting allowed citizens, elected officials, metropolitan planners, transportation industry partners, business owners, and community leaders to learn more about the framework and ask questions about the trends identified in it. Under Secretary Rogoff and Mayor Walsh also solicited input from the participants on their region-specific experiences and asked for ideas on how to solve those challenges.

“Beyond Traffic recognizes that the Northeast megaregion will be uniquely impacted by transportation challenges and opportunities in the next three decades,” said U.S. Transportation Under Secretary Rogoff. “Today’s conversation with local residents, who are most familiar with the region’s transportation systems, was both enlightening and informative. The feedback we received will be significantly valuable as we finalize the framework.”

By 2050, the population of the Northeast megaregion – which includes Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. – is expected to increase by more than 35% percent. But, as the condition of transportation infrastructure continues to worsen, leaders within the region have critical investment decisions to make in order to accommodate this growth in population while preserving quality of life.

"Here in Boston we are committed to creating a transportation system that is safe, efficient and equitable," said Mayor Walsh. "We know that our economy, our environment and the future of our City depends on it, and I thank all of the forum participants for their partnership in helping us work towards that mission."

Following remarks by Mayor Walsh and Under Secretary Rogoff and a presentation from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Beyond Traffic team, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker, A Better City CEO and President Richard Dimino, City of Boston Chief of Streets Chris Osgood, and Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Barry Seymour participated in a panel focusing on the impact of Beyond Traffic trends in the region. The last half of the program engaged attendees in a facilitated conversation, giving them the opportunity to share feedback that will inform the final Beyond Traffic report when it is published in 2016.‎

To learn more about Beyond Traffic or to read the full framework, click here.