b'MUDD 24 URBAN NETWORKS|URBAN GATEWAYSInfrastructure Upon close examination of the Beacon Yards site, it is evident that the throat area of the I-90 is fundamental to facilitating I-90 Highway orderly development of the site. The throat area is east of the Allston interchange, where a viaduct of the I-90 proceeds through a narrow strip of land south of the Charles River and Soldiers Field, and north of Boston University. Below the viaduct, rail lines extend east of the rail yard to South Station or to Cambridge via bridges spanning Soldiers Field Drive and the river. MassDOT has developed three alternativesto replace the viaduct and these are:At-grade variation: The design does not include any viaducts and all rail lines and roadways are at same grade. I-90 is located north of the Grand Junction Railway tracks. Travel lanes on I-90 and Soldiers Field Drive are reduced in width and minimal shoulders Existing infrastructureprovided. ( I-90 Turnpike )Rail viaduct variation: The design reconstructs I-90 at-grade with a viaduct carrying two Grand Junction Railway tracks and a shared-use path over the eastbound lanes of I-90. Travel lanes on I-90 and I-90 existing condition Soldiers Field Drive are reduced in width and minimal shoulders (throat area) provided. The mainline tracks are relocated to the south.Highway viaduct variation: This design resembles existing conditions, with a new wider viaduct carrying I-90, with railroad tracks located below. I-90 is improved with wider travel lanes and shoulders.103MassDOT proposal Three alternatives of thethroat areaSource: Massachusetts Department of Transport (MassDOT) Source: MassDOT DEIR, (2017)MUDD 24 - Urban Gateways | Urban Networks - Boston Boston 8pt.indd 10 26/11/2019 5:05:19 PM'