Get ready for lots of fun around Longwood, as a march/protest/something takes place. Given how bad Longwood traffic usually is, this should make things even more fun, even if they're not going to be marching inside LMA.

Scope

There will be considerable impacts to traffic and access (including the closure of Avenue Louis Pasteur) in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area on Thursday, May 8, 2008 from 2:30 PM to 7:00 PM, due to a rally and march by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Approximately 1,000 or more people could attend the rally and march.

The original plan for the SEIU rally and march has been revised. The march throughout the LMA will no longer take place, but the rally is still scheduled to take place on Avenue Louis Pasteur. The only roadway closure anticipated at this time is Avenue Louis Pasteur. Please see below for updated details and impacts to traffic, access, and MASCO/MBTA bus routes.

At 10:30 AM, stage set-up and preparation will begin on Avenue Louis Pasteur between 221 Longwood Avenue and The Boston Latin School. Avenue Louis Pasteur will remain open during the stage set-up and preparation. At 3:00 PM, Avenue Louis Pasteur will be closed to all traffic. The rally will begin at 4:00 PM on Avenue Louis Pasteur.

Vehicles will be able to exit garages onto Avenue Louis Pasteur when the roadway is closed. Exiting vehicles will not be able to access Longwood Avenue via Avenue Louis Pasteur, exiting vehicles will need to proceed to the Fenway.

MASCO has been and will continue to be in communication with the Boston Police, Boston Transportation, MBTA, and other City and State agencies.

MASCO is trying to arrange for additional Police Details to mange traffic flow during and after the event.

MASCO and MBTA Bus Operations

The closure of Avenue Louis Pasteur will considerably impact MASCO and MBTA bus operations in the LMA on Thursday, May 8, 2008.

MASCO Shuttles (REVISED)
MASCO will have additional supervisors throughout the LMA on Thursday. Anticipated impacts and route changes to MASCO shuttles in the LMA on Thursday afternoon are:

MASCO M2 shuttle (LMA/Cambridge): Will stop on the Fenway, near Simmons College, when Avenue Louis Pasteur is closed (3:00 PM to 7:00 PM). A MASCO representative will direct passengers toward the alternate temporary stop.

Ruggles Express: Will run their regular schedule from BIDMC-West via Longwood and Huntington, No Avenue Louis Pasteur pick-ups from 2:30 until Avenue Louis Pasteur reopens.

Fenway Park & Ride Shuttle: Will run their regular schedule.

MASCO M6 Chestnut Hill Shuttle: Will run their regular schedule.

Wentworth, Crosstown, and JFK-UMASS Shuttles: Will be diverted to Longwood Avenue beginning at 2:30. The order of stops will be: 333 Longwood, Joslin Park, 75 Francis Street, and Brigham Circle.

Landmark/Longwood Shuttle: Beginning at 2:45, the shuttle will stop near Simmons instead of Vanderbilt Hall then proceed down Evans Way to 651 Huntington Ave.

MBTA Buses (REVISED)
The MBTA will have additional supervisors and inspectors in the LMA on Thursday. Anticipated impacts and routes changes to MBTA buses in the LMA on Thursday afternoon are:

3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
8, 19, 47, CT2, CT3: Will not have access to Avenue Louis Pasteur. The buses will use Longwood Avenue and Huntington Avenue. Bus stops will be maintained at the Galleria, Children’s Hospital and 333 Longwood. Buses will stop on Huntington Avenue at Longwood Avenue (both inbound and outbound).