Skip to main content

Cookie settings

We use cookies to ensure the basic functionalities of the website and to enhance your online experience. You can configure and accept the use of the cookies, and modify your consent options, at any time.

Essential

Preferences

Analytics and statistics

Marketing

Construct perimeter floodwall around Orient Heights Rail Yard

Avatar: Environment Boston Environment Boston
"Coastal flooding from the Belle Isle Marsh through the Orient Heights Rail Yard and adjacent sites presents a near-term risk to East Boston and this risk is likely to increase substantially over time. During severe storms (storms with a 1% annual chance or less of happening), flood pathways in this area are projected to overtop the coastline with 9 inches of sea-level rise anticipated around the 2030s. This flooding puts the rail yard facilities at risk, as well as the train service along the entire Blue Line." "The preferred strategy is to construct a perimeter floodwall around the rail yard that builds on the MBTA’s current approaches to the site- and asset-level hardening to provide additional layers of coastal flood resilience that contribute to neighborhood-wide protection. In the near term, a segment of the perimeter flood protection can be constructed on the north side of the rail yard. The near-term segment can be designed to the interim DFE of +12.0 feet (NAVD88), which is 3 to 5 feet above the existing grade), protecting against flooding from the 1% annual chance storm with 9 inches of sea-level rise. This approach would be located on the outside of the approximately 20- to 25-foot-wide access road that currently surrounds the facility." (Source: "Coastal Resilience Solutions for East Boston and Charlestown Phase II", pg 128-130)
  • Orient Heights MBTA Rail Yard, East Boston, MA
OpenStreetMap - Orient Heights MBTA Rail Yard, East Boston, MA
Comment

Confirm

Please log in

The password is too short.

Share