Boston PIC Approves MGH Campus Expansion Street Package, Dozens of Verizon Conduit Grants

Uncategorized · Meeting of July 19, 2026

Boston Public Improvement Commission approves full MGH campus expansion street package and dozens of Verizon conduit grants. The commission, chaired by Yasha Franklin-Hodge of the Property Management Department, voted unanimously on nine consecutive public hearings covering Massachusetts General Hospital's West End expansion, approving street widenings, pedestrian easements, vertical airspace and below-grade discontinuances, a specific repair plan, and two construction licenses affecting Parkman, Blossom, Cambridge, and North Grove streets. Howard Mosher of VHB presented on behalf of MGH, noting a fire department sign-off on bridge clearance and a revised earth retention plan that moves protected bike infrastructure on Cambridge Street earlier in the construction sequence.

A Beacon Hill civic association representative identified as Rob urged the commission not to approve the North Grove Street plan without firmer traffic mitigation commitments, arguing that reducing the street from three lanes to two "will make it worse" for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, but the commission approved the plan regardless. A Boston Transportation Department representative said BTD is working to add a left-turn arrow signal at Cambridge and North Grove "as soon as we are able." Verizon New England also won unanimous approval for conduit grants spanning more than 30 street segments across South Boston, Dorchester, Roxbury, West Roxbury, and Boston proper, with Ross Bilodeau presenting all petitions. The city's Law Department had not yet finalized the license agreement required to close out the MGH earth retention license as of the hearing date.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,048 words

Source: the Uncategorized meeting of July 19, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.