The tension between Boston and Quincy over the reconstruction of the Long Island Bridge might escalate to a court dispute, Mayor Marty Walsh said on Boston Public Radio today.
“I hope it doesn't end up this way, but it will probably end up, potentially, in court, and then we’ll go from there, see what happens,” said Walsh.
The two cities have been working through disagreements since Boston announced the reconstruction of the bridge at the beginning of this year, which would bring more vehicle traffic through Quincy. The neighborhood of Squantum has been especially resistant to the prospect of more traffic.
Most recently, the situation escalated as the Quincy City Council banned commercial traffic along access roads this week.
“I don’t necessarily think they can stop [construction]; I think they can cause a lot of hurdles,” said Walsh.
The old Long Island Bridge transported motor vehicles to Moon Island, which housed a homeless shelter. But, Mayor Walsh said facilities on the land will have a new focus after the reconstruction of the bridge.
“The biggest thing is going to be on the island is recovery beds,” he said.
Despite the resistance from Quincy’s local governments, Walsh said he was not especially concerned about the future of the project. He said the residents of Squantum and another Quincy neighborhood, Marina Bay, were confronting an “unknown.”
“They’re used to having a very, very quiet street,” Walsh said. “The city of Boston has to do a better job getting ... information to Quincy, and information to the people of Squantum and information to the people of Marina Bay.”
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh joins us once a month for Ask The Mayor.
