MassDOT threatens eminent domain to close Boston's Summer Street during World Cup matches

Summer Street eminent domain World Cup MassDOT Boston

MassDOT and the MBTA have notified Boston City Hall that they intend to exercise eminent domain to temporarily occupy a section of Summer Street near South Station on each World Cup match day. The plan calls for a ten‑hour closure of the block between Atlantic Avenue and Dorchester Avenue to accommodate up to 20,000 soccer fans expected to travel on special Foxboro event trains to the tournament venue in Foxboro. The state agency cites recommendations from the Massachusetts State Police and MBTA public‑safety staff, arguing the pedestrianization is necessary for crowd safety.

Boston’s interim Chief of Streets, Nick Gove, and Mayor Wu’s office have objected, calling the use of eminent domain “inappropriate” and urging the Commonwealth to withdraw the filing while plans are reviewed. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between the city’s transportation department and state officials over crowd‑management and road‑closure approvals.

Sources

T Threatens Recalcitrant City Hall With Eminent Domain to Ban Cars From Summer Street On World Cup Match Days - Streetsblog Massachusetts [mass.streetsblog.org]

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