Trammel Crow Residential updates board on Bayridge (10 Plain St): MBTA emergency bridge, sequencing and traffic monitoring discussed
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Summary
Trammel Crow Residential briefed the Planning Board on floodplain work, MBTA’s restriction to emergency and construction access at the Hancock crossing, bridge sequencing tied to occupancy of west‑bank buildings, traffic modeling that anticipates ~75 left turns/hour at Plain Street, and public amenities including a proposed playground and daytime public parking; the hearing remains continued for draft findings and conditions.
Trammel Crow Residential (TCR) updated the Braintree Planning Board on progress for the Bayridge project at 10 Plain Street (Planning Board file 25‑06), including floodplain work, MBTA coordination on Hancock Crossing access, construction sequencing and temporary ingress/egress, and plans for sidewalks and a public amenity near the riverwalk.
Mark Baranski (TCR) said SLR’s floodplain analysis found the project would not create adverse impacts to bordering land subject to flooding; the team used a conservative base flood elevation that is two feet higher than previous values and Conservation Commission conditions will reflect the updated elevations.
Baranski and Frank Marinelli said the MBTA’s diagnostic team review (finalized Jan. 30) allows the Hancock crossing to be used for emergency vehicle access only; the MBTA will permit temporary construction access but will not allow pedestrian or resident vehicle use across the rail crossing. The developer said the bridge across the river will be built early and completed before certificates of occupancy are issued for west‑side Buildings 4A and 4B.
Traffic consultant Robert Michaud (MDM Transportation Consultants) told the board that modeled left‑turn volume from Plain Street at full Phase 1 build‑out is just over one vehicle per minute (about 75 vehicles per hour) for the critical left‑turn movement; peer review and monitoring conditions mean the board and developer expect manageable delays and the ability to adjust signal timing or other mitigations if monitoring indicates problems.
Board members pressed the developer about contingency plans if Phase 2 does not proceed and Plain Street remains the only public access; Marinelli said TCR has contractual rights to grade and adapt the temporary access if needed and the board discussed including timing conditions for creating a second entrance if necessary. The board and developer also discussed a sidewalk inventory, 15 daytime public parking spaces near a proposed playground, restroom access hours, herring warden parking, and a potential historical marker coordinated with the local historic commission.
A member of the public, Robert Tomer of Central Ave, urged caution about opening or promoting the existing riverwalk because of safety concerns, reported homeless encampments and site hazards, and recommended delaying public access until the project ties the walk into finished improvements.
The hearing remained continued; staff and applicant will draft findings and conditions and schedule additional work sessions and a special meeting to complete the review.
