What is the William T. Reid Overpass replacement project?
Constructed in 1940, the Reid Overpass carries Memorial Drive over the intersection of the Boston University Bridge and Memorial Drive on the southern edge of the Cambridgeport neighborhood in Cambridge. Though structurally safe, the Reid Overpass has reached the end of its useful lifespan and should be replaced. Connections between the Boston University Bridge, Brookline Street, and Memorial Drive are provided by a rotary below the Reid Overpass.
Both the Reid Overpass and its rotary date to an era when the only anticipated vehicle traveling along Memorial Drive was a car and there were many fewer of them. Today, this location has evolved to have a wide array of demands on it. It is a key access point to the green space along the Charles River and Magazine Beach. It is a connection for cyclists moving along the Paul Dudley White Path or crossing the river. MBTA routes 47 and 85 also travel through this intersection. At the same time, this area sees significant local and regional vehicle traffic bound for the shopping plaza just to the west on Memorial Drive and one of the two river crossings closest to Fenway Park.
To balance these competing demands in a manner which will improve safety for all users, MassDOT is evaluating two fundamentally different approaches. One would remove the Reid Overpass entirely and process all movements at grade. The other would include a new, smaller Reid Overpass. Both would completely rearrange the intersection of the Boston University Bridge, Brookline Street, and Memorial Drive. The decision as to which option is ultimately pursued will be influenced by data, coordination with partner agencies, and public input.
The project has already benefitted from significant public input and whatever option MassDOT selects to take into the formal design process, it will have a set of basic elements reflective of values shared by the agency and project’s host community. These include a design which:
- Improves safety for all modes.
- Provides safe, predictable, calm vehicle operations during peak and off-peak hours.
- Encourages safe cycling and walking through:
- The narrowest roadway cross-section that will provide reasonable vehicle operations
- Improving physical separation between modes of travel
- Enhances future transit operations by replacing the bridge carrying Memorial Drive over the Grand Junction Rail Line to support future potential passenger operations.
- Enhances current transit operations by reducing delays encountered by buses at the intersection.
- Minimizes impacts to surrounding parklands and properties.
- Maximizes opportunities to integrate green stormwater management and native plantings.
- If inclusive of a viaduct, this structure will:
- Include one lane in each direction.
- Be as narrow as possible consistent with the applicable guidelines for the safety of disabled vehicles, drainage, maintenance, and passage of emergency vehicles.
- Seek to create a more pleasant, seamless passage between Cambridgeport and the riverfront, through elements such as design and under-bridge lighting.
Design timeline
MassDOT is currently working to select a preferred concept in coordination with the City of Cambridge and DCR, with input from other stakeholders and the public through ongoing outreach. Making the basic decision of whether the replacement of the Reid Overpass involves a new, smaller version of the bridge or no bridge at all, will allow MassDOT to tackle an array of other community interests such as where additional, accessible green space could go, how buses could be sped through the intersection, where new green stormwater management can be incorporated and more.
We hope to be able to select a preferred concept to take into the formal design process by the end of 2026 so that we can begin addressing the range of safety concerns and accessibility challenges noted by our own team and raised by community members.