- Massachusetts Department of Transportation
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Marshall Hook, Director of Communications
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the completion of new lighting, electrical and pathway improvements on the Rose Kennedy Greenway that will make the park safer, more accessible and easier to enjoy year-round.
MassDOT, in partnership with the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy and Greenway Business Improvement District, installed new lighting along pedestrian paths and gathering areas between Seaport Boulevard and Dewey Square. The project also added dedicated lighting for the Dewey Square mural wall and permanent electrical infrastructure to support events, performances and other programming.
New permeable pathways were installed in Parcels 19 and 21, replacing stone-dust surfaces with smoother, more accessible routes that improve stormwater drainage and can be cleared of snow and ice. For the first time since the Greenway opened in 2008, these heavily traveled sections of the park will be able to remain open throughout the winter.
“The Rose Kennedy Greenway is one of Boston’s great public spaces, bringing together residents, workers and visitors from across Massachusetts and around the world,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These improvements will make the Greenway safer, more accessible and easier to enjoy throughout the year, while supporting the events, public art and local businesses that make this area so special.”
“Great public spaces should be welcoming and accessible in every season,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These improvements mean more people will be able to walk the Greenway, enjoy its programming and spend time downtown throughout the year. We’re grateful to MassDOT, the Greenway Conservancy and their partners for working together to make this important public space even better.”
"The Greenway is a vibrant part of our Downtown, bringing together residents, families and visitors throughout the year. By completing these major lighting and pathway improvements along this corridor, we’re ensuring this area continues to be a safe, vibrant and welcoming green space for everyone into the evening hours," said Mayor Michelle Wu. "I’m grateful to MassDOT, the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy and the Greenway Business Improvement District for their partnership in bringing these critical investments to life. As Boston welcomed the world this summer and continues to host major events, the Greenway will continue to be a welcoming hub for generations of residents and visitors.”
“Tonight’s Lighting & Pathway Project Reveal is a celebration of what we can accomplish when our community comes together,” said Senator Lydia Edwards, State Senator for the Third Suffolk District. “This project is a true testament to the power of partnership, bringing together community stakeholders to make meaningful improvements to The Greenway. The completion of this lighting project will help keep The Greenway a welcoming and inviting space for all to enjoy. Thank you to the Greenway Conservancy, MassDOT, and all of the neighbors, partners, and supporters who helped bring this project to light!”
“These improvements will make the Greenway safer, more welcoming, and more enjoyable for residents and visitors while strengthening this important connection between our neighborhoods,” shared Chairman Aaron Michlewitz, State Representative, 3rd Suffolk.
“The Rose Kennedy Greenway is a living and evolving public space that brings people together while supporting the economic vitality of downtown Boston,” said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “Under the leadership from the Healey-Driscoll Administration, these improvements will allow residents, workers and visitors to spend more time enjoying the Greenway’s parks, public art, food, performances and community programming, whether they are visiting during the day, after sunset or in the winter. MassDOT is proud to work with The Greenway Conservancy and its partners to make this treasured destination safer, more accessible and more welcoming throughout the year.”
“Transforming highway infrastructure into open and accessible public space is an aspiration for cities across the country, and the Rose Kennedy Greenway continues to demonstrate what can be achieved,” said Undersecretary of Transportation and State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “This project combines practical improvements with important public benefits by providing better lighting, more accessible pathways, improved stormwater management and year-round pedestrian access. I want to thank the MassDOT District 6 team, the contractors, and everyone involved in completing work that will improve safety and the visitor experience for years to come.”
The improvements include:
- New interior park lighting along pedestrian routes and gathering areas that previously had limited illumination.
- Dedicated lighting for the Dewey Square mural wall, allowing the public artwork to be viewed and enjoyed at night.
- Upgraded electrical infrastructure and permanent power to support events and performances while reducing reliance on temporary generators.
- New permeable pathway surfaces in Parcels 19 and 21 that provide smoother and more accessible pedestrian routes.
- Improved stormwater absorption and drainage during periods of inclement weather.
- Pathway surfaces that can be cleared of snow and ice, allowing the parcels to remain accessible during the winter.
“This project represents a transformative investment in the Greenway and in the experience of everyone who visits the park,” said Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy Executive Director Chris Cook. “The new lighting will help people feel safer and more comfortable extending their time on the Greenway into the evening, while the improved pathway materials will allow these popular spaces to remain accessible throughout the winter. We are grateful to MassDOT and the Greenway Business Improvement District for supporting infrastructure that will strengthen our operations, expand programming opportunities and help The Greenway continue to grow as a vibrant public destination.”
“This project is a model of how the public and private sectors can work together to create wonderful spaces that benefit everyone,” said Greenway Business Improvement District Executive Director Tom Ryan. “The property owners and businesses in the Greenway district understand that a safe, bright, and more accessible park drives foot traffic, supports local commerce, and strengthens the economic health of downtown Boston. That is why our BID members helped fund the initial study and design of this project that set it in motion. We are grateful to be a partner with MassDOT, the City of Boston and the Greenway Conservancy to upgrade this area and help downtown Boston reach its potential.”
The Greenway transformed the former Central Artery corridor into public open space connecting downtown neighborhoods with Boston’s waterfront. Today, it features gardens, fountains, public art, food and beverage vendors, markets, a carousel and year-round community programming.
The project began with a design study funded by the Greenway Business Improvement District. MassDOT then worked with the Greenway Conservancy and project partners to deliver the lighting, electrical and pathway upgrades.
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