The Monsignor William J. Casey Overpass is the elevated section of Route 203 connecting the Arboretum at the Arborway, over Washington and South Streets, and the Southwest Corridor to Shea Circle at Franklin Park and the Forest Hills Cemetery in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood in the City of Boston. The overpass is located directly adjacent to the Forest Hills MBTA Station. (see locus map). It currently carries less traffic than in recent years with approximately 24,000 vehicles per day.

The overpass is structurally deficient and suffers from numerous superstructure and substructure problems due to a combination of deterioration and flaws in the original design. The structure has deteriorated to a point where it can no longer be maintained and as part of the Patrick-Murray Accelerated Bridge Program, funding is now available to take a fresh look at the connections and to reexamine the opportunities for an improved transportation network to provide better access in and around this area.

Project Overview

In March 2011, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) initiated a study of alternatives to replace the existing Casey Overpass. The study worked to identify safe, accessible, multi-modal landscape, streetscape and transportation options to accommodate all modes of transportation.

The planning study consisted of an extensive and inclusive public outreach process, and encompassed at-grade and structural solutions. As part of this process, MassDOT formed a Working Advisory Group to ensure that all points of view were represented by members who brought valuable knowledge and resources to the discussion. This group met regularly from March 2011 through November 2011. To review the Working Advisory Group materials, please visit the project meetings page.

On March 8, 2012, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation selected an at-grade alternative for the Casey Overpass, which carries Route 203 over Forest Hills in Jamaica Plain. The decision was made after an extensive public outreach process, which consisted of five public meeting and 12 Working Advisory Group meetings over a nine-month period. The existing Casey Overpass is in the advanced stages of deterioration and is at the end of its serviceable life and the concept alternative selected will be advanced into 25% design phase with a comprehensive plan for public involvement and development of design going forward. MassDOT anticipates advertising this project in the fall of 2013.