Newton
MassDOT announced the reopening of the Green D Line as of 2:30 PM this afternoon after setting an original expected date of Monday.
The MBTA reports that in four days, workers:
- Pumped all the water out of the swimming pool-sized hole;
- Installed a 250 foot, 18 inch in diameter, concrete drainage pipe to prevent wash-outs in the future;
- Erected a retaining wall comprised of concrete blocks;
- Re-built the earthen rail bed beneath the tracks;
- Restored power to the overhead wires and tested the signal system and tracks
There'll be a little ceremony/press conference at 2:15 at Reservoir station, after which Transportation Secretary Jeff Mullan and acting T General Manager William Mitchell will board a trolley and not be swallowed up by a sinkhole as they take the ceremonial first ride on the new trackbed.
MassDOT provided this photo of workers busy repairing the flooded-out Riverside track bed yesterday. Compare to the photos from the height of the nor'easter. The state expects to have service restored by Monday.
Sun shines on sinkhole: Compare today's photo by the T to yesterday's.
What a difference a day makes. However, MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo says he cannot yet give a definite answer on when the Riverside line can be re-opened. "Flood waters continue to flow through the site, and work crews cannot even begin to start rebuilding the rail bed until the water recedes."
Jo photographed what appears to be a bobbing raft but is actually a picnic table being submerged by a rising Charles River at Norumbega Park in Newton today.
William Ricker stopped to watch an impromptu fountain formed by an overflowing sewer on Coffey Street in Dorchester on Sunday:
Meanwhile, Penny Cherubino provides photographic proof that not even Copley Place was immune from the power of a nor'easter.
Photos opyright Jo and William Decker, respectively.
The Mass. Department of Transportation posted this photo of the raging sinkhole that erupted under Green Line tracks between Chestnut Hill and Newton Center this morning, forcing commuters onto shuttle buses until the T can repair the damage.
Wicked Local Newton reports local police are trying to put their foot down and catch a heel walking around town with no shoes on.
National Grid outages at 11:30 p.m.: Does NStar have something similar?
Reports are coming in of power outages across the area, like mid-Cambridge, Tremont Street downtown and Newton Centre.
And Georgy Cohen reports Somerville Police had to help her and other riders off an 89 bus that hit a downed tree and power line.
Thanks to William Ricker for the link to the National Grid map.
Wicked Local Newton reports a police officer found himself confronted with a gunslinger on Elm Street yesterday - who turned out to be packing only plastic. The local man, dressed like a cowboy and with what seemed to be a gun in his pocket, went into "Western Movie Gunfighter's Style Stance" when one officer approached. But he wasn't fast enough on the draw for another officer, who tackled him.
Wicked Local Newton reports a knock-down, drag-out fight at Tommy Doyle's on Watertown Street on Jan. 24, in which fists, stools and blood all went flying.
Bread & Lily lets customers know via a tweet that it has shut its doors for good:
Due to economic factors, Bread & Lily is no longer in business. Our location in Newton Highlands is avail for lease. Thx for your patronage.
Doug Haslam reports how a photo he took today of a stupid sidewalk on a Newton Corner bridge that never gets plowed in the winter wound up on the screen of new Newton Mayor Setti Warren - who promptly got the sidewalk plowed.
Via Dan Kennedy.
Location. The Sheraton Newton Hotel is located in Newton, Mass. The Newton Centre shops, restaurants and commuter train station are two miles from the hotel. Downtown Boston is four miles away.
Hotel Features. A fitness center and heated indoor pool occupy the third floor, which features floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Massachusetts Turnpike. The hotel's restaurant, Martha's, serves American cuisine during breakfasts and dinners. Complimentary wireless Internet access and two computer kiosks are available in the lobby. Pets are allowed for a fee.
Read more
Driving directions:
From Boston Logan International Airport:
Approximate distance to the hotel is eight miles.
Nearby attractions:
Area Attractions:Bos 5 Mi WBoston Ballet 06 MiBoston Museum Of Science 09 MiBoston Pops/Symphony Hall 06 MiChildrens Museum 10 MiComputer Museum 10 MiCopley Place 05 MiDowntown Crossing 10 MiEatons Apothecary 00 MiFaneiul Hall Market Place 08 MiFenway Park 03 MiHunneywell Market 00 MiIsabella Stewart Gardner Museu08 MiMuseum Of Fine Arts 04 MiNew England Aquarium 10 MiSalem Witch Museum 30 Mi Barry Controls 02 MiBoston Scientific 02 MiBrandeis University 06 MiCoca Cola 04 MiDexter Shoes 02 MiDragon Systems 02 MiEdc Education Development Ct02 MiEclypsis/Sdk Healthcare 02 MiGeneral Electric 01 MiIbm 03 MiNew Balance 03 MiNortheastern University 06 MiPathfinder International 02 MiPhoenix Controls 02 MiVerizon 04 Mi
The Newton Marriott is on the banks of the Charles River and located at the intersection of Routes 128/95 and the Mass Pike (Interstate 90).
The Marriott offers a gourmet coffee bar featuring Starbucks coffee. Additional amenities include an indoor pool and fitness center, featuring 24 hr access to the workout room. Business guests will also want to take advantage of the 24 hour self serve Business Center. The Marriott in Newton now offers van service to and from the "T" for public transportation to get to Downtown Boston.
Driving directions:
From Boston Logan International Airport:
Follow signs to Ted Williams Tunnel.
Take Route 90 west.
Take exit 15.
Take Route 30 east.
The hotel is on the left hand side.
Nearby attractions:
Area Attractions: Boston Pops Orchestra Symphony Hall 12 miles Boston Common and Public Gardens 10 miles Fanueil Hall 10 miles Fleet Center 12 miles Cape Cod 55 miles Concord 9 miles Fenway Park 8 miles Freedom Trail 10 miles John F Kennedy National Historic Site 7 miles Lexington 7 miles New England Aquarium 10 miles Norumbega Park (adjacent to hotel) Paul Revere Home (Lexington) 7 miles Plymouth Plantation and Rock 44 miles Quincy Market 10 miles Rockport 60 miles Salem 25 miles
Location.
- The Hotel Indigo Boston Newton/Riverside is located in Newton, Mass.
- One half mile from Leo J. Martin Memorial Golf Course
- Three miles from Brandeis University
- Four miles from the Mall at Chestnut Hill
Hotel Features. - Complimentary wireless Internet access throughout the property
- Business center with computer, fax, copying and courier services
- BOKX 109 American Prime steakhouse
- Fitness center with individual televisions
- Seasonal outdoor pool area with fire pits and private cabanas with flat screen televisions
- Smoke free and pets allowed for a fee
Guestrooms. Read more
Driving directions:
From Boston Logan International Airport:
Approximate distance to the hotel is 15 miles.
Exit airport onto I 90 West.
Merge onto I 95 South/Route 128 South.
Exit Grove Street.
Turn right onto Grove Street.
Nearby attractions:
Area Attractions: Downtown Boston 3 Miles / 5 Kilometers<br> Fenway Park 9 Miles / 14 Kilometers<br> Fleet Center 5 Miles / 8 Kilometers<br> Boston College 6 Miles / 10 Kilometers<br> Boston University 9 Miles / 14 Kilometers<br> Harvard University 14 Miles / 23 Kilometers<br> Northeastern University 9 Miles / 14 Kilometers<br> Hynes Convention Center 9 Miles / 14 Kilometers<br> Faneuil Hall 7 Miles / 11 Kilometers<br> Cheers Bar 7 Miles / 11 Kilometers<br> Boston Children's Museum 14 Miles / 23 Kilometers<br> Museum of Science 13 Miles / 21 Kilometers<br> New England Aquarium 7 Miles / 11 Kilometers<br> Chestnut Hill Shopping Mall 5 Miles / 8 Kilometers
The Supreme Judicial Court today upheld a Newton man's sentence of five years of probation for armed home invasion despite a state law that seems to state rather unambiguously he should be sent to prison for 20 years. Read more
Paul Levy posts video of a visit to a henhouse in a neighbor's backyard.
Wicked Local Newton reports an atheist student at Newton South High School won the right to make up two tests he failed in an honors literature class because he refused to read the "Bible as literature" passages on which they were based. School officials say they're not pushing religion but using excerpts from the Bible to help students learn "the cultural traditions and allusions found in much of Western literature." Read more
Spotted in the parking lot at the Chestnut Hill Star.
At least for Newton Mayor-to-be Setti Warren, who was busy getting ready to go on "Greater Boston" on Channel 2 when the president called to congratulate him, Wicked Local Newton reports.
The amazing cartveyor.
Armed with a $5 coupon, we trekked to Chestnut Hill today to check out the new Star Market (question for Shaw's/Star: Why do you want to encourage people in 02131 to travel to Rte. 9 when you've got perfectly serviceable Shaw's in West Roxbury and Hyde Park?). Read more
Wicked Local Newton recruited some kids tonight to trick or treat at the houses of the two people running for Newton mayor; they report Ruth Balser gave out much better candy.
No, that's not quite true, Paul Levy reports: They do warn you that fare evasion is a crime so you better pay your damn fare:
I have to give the MBTA something for truth in advertising. It describes this capital improvement project (or one like it) as follows: This project will install new LED information signs on the platforms and lobbies of busy subway stations. These signs will provide visual equivalent of audio information on train arrival times and destination information.
In that sense, the signs are the visual equivalent of the public address system on this line, which for years has also failed to give audio information about delays or train arrivals.
Ian Lamont reports the publisher of Newton Magazine, Brookline Magazine and MetroWest Magazine, has thrown in the towel and ceased publication.
Because they work. Wicked Local Newton reports a Newton resident actually wired money to Ghana to help somebody there obtain "two trunks full of gold." Police did not report the amount the resident lost.
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