Enhancing Stakeholder Engagement for MBTA’s North Station Drawbridge Replacement

Overview

 

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is undertaking a critical infrastructure project to replace the aging North Station Draw One Bridge over the Charles River. Originally built in the 1930s, the existing four-track Bascule drawbridge is being replaced with a modern vertical lift structure that will accommodate six tracks. This upgrade will improve rail capacity, operational efficiency, and better serve Boston’s growing transit demands. The project, led by STV Group in Boston, is progressing through detailed design and construction phases, ensuring a seamless transition for future rail operations.

Challenges

Located in a high-impact area of Boston, the bridge replacement project presented significant challenges. The structure’s proximity to vital MBTA operations, local businesses, community spaces, and park facilities necessitated extensive coordination with multiple stakeholders. Additionally, navigating the complex environmental permitting process required effective communication and public engagement to address concerns and secure approvals.

Solutions

RDV Systems was engaged in 2021 to support MBTA and STV Group with state-of-the-art 3D visualization solutions. Leveraging their expertise, RDV developed a realistic and interactive 3D
model of both the existing and proposed bridge structures. This comprehensive visualization included surrounding highways, buildings, parks, and pedestrian pathways, providing a clear and immersive representation of the project’s impact and benefits.

RDV’s Contribution

The 3D model became an invaluable tool for MBTA and STV Group in their stakeholder collaboration efforts. Key applications included:

  • Stakeholder Engagement: High-quality videos and photorealistic images from the RDV model were instrumental in public meetings, helping stakeholders visualize the transformation and better understand project details.
  • Environmental Documentation: Visuals produced from the model were incorporated into environmental reports, aiding in regulatory approvals and compliance.
  • Public Communication: MBTA utilized RDV’s imagery and video content in a project overview video hosted on its official website, ensuring broader public awareness and transparency (see MBTA Project Page).

The Unique Value RDV Provided

RDV’s interactive 3D model offered unparalleled flexibility and versatility, enabling MBTA and STV Group to generate custom visuals as communication needs evolved. Unlike static renderings, RDV’s model allowed for dynamic content creation, ensuring the project team could address stakeholder inquiries with updated, high-impact visuals. “RDV’s efforts on Draw One provided the

design team with a valuable tool in being able to convey the visual impact of the project both to the client and to the public. This tool helped shape the design, as the design team was able to see visualizations of the proposed structure and the visual impacts of the designers’ decisions could be evaluated.” said Mark Ennis, STV project manager for the Draw One project. This capability significantly enhanced public engagement and facilitated smoother project progression.

Ongoing Collaboration

As the North Station Drawbridge Replacement moves forward into detailed design and construction, RDV remains a vital part of the MBTA/STV Group team. The continued use of RDV’s visualization tools will support project updates, construction staging plans, and further stakeholder outreach efforts.

Conclusion

RDV Systems’ advanced visualization technology played a key role in ensuring clear, effective communication for one of Boston’s most significant transportation infrastructure projects. By bridging the gap between technical planning and public understanding, RDV contributed to a more informed, engaged community and a successful project execution.

 

Click Here to Download The Case Study MBTA’s North Station Drawbridge Replacement

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