All Aboard The Allston Train, Highway Mega Project: The HUB

The HUB is a daily newsletter designed for what you want — to be caught up on the most interesting, important news in 5 minutes or less. It's a little bit of this, a little bit of that, but if there's something you want more or less of, email me at jimmy.bentley@patch.com.

Today is Thursday, September 30. Let's get started.

A decade ago, conversations began on how to replace the aging highways and transportation infrastructure along the Massachusetts turnpike in Allston. Ten years later, the problem remains, but now Gov. Charlie Baker's administration is proposing pouring $1.7 billion into a mega project for the Boston neighborhood, the Boston Globe reported.

This means Allston could get a new train station on the Worcester/Framingham Commuter Rail line, four railroad tracks and major highway and pedestrian upgrades. Those upgrades may include eight lanes across the Massachusetts Turnpike, four lanes on Soldiers Field Road and a boardwalk over the Charles River. All of these projects would be laid out side-by-side.

Baker's proposal aims to resolve disagreements among residents and other stakeholder on how to rebuild the highway, Soldiers Field Road and the train tracks within the "throat," a tight area between Boston University and the Charles River. Throughout the years, many stakeholders opposed, adding new elevated roadways, because they'd act as barriers blocking off the river area.

"We have heard people loud and clear on what they want to have happen here," state Transportation Secretary Jamey Tesler told the Boston Globe. "We think it's time to move forward and focus on the hard conversations on how to pay for this project."

Read more from the Boston Globe.

Top stories

What is going on with the MBTA? Transit officials say they're still investigating why a Red Line car derailed Tuesday at Broadway Station in South Boston. The incident comes just days after a Back Bay Station escalator suddenly reversed direction and sent dozens of people falling backwards, with nine getting sent to the hospital. Listen to WBUR's radio segment, where the station digs deeper into the MBTA's problems, through interviews with former Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation and now Transit Matters board member Jim Aloisi, as well as other transportation experts. (WBUR)

Boston police said they found the car involved in a hit-and-run crash that injured a boy around the age of 10. Police said the crash happened around 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, at the intersection of Columbia Road and Intervale Street. The boy was taken to a local hospital, but the car took off immediately after the incident. Though police said they found the car, they've yet to say if the driver was also found. (NBC10 Boston)

Acting Mayor Kim Janey shifted away from her idea to provide a ferry to a drug recovery campus on Long Island, a plan she floated earlier this year as a potential solution for dealing with the addiction crisis at Mass. and Cass. A spokesperson for Janey's administration told the Boston Herald, the acting mayor is changing course "after analyzing alternatives to road service to Long Island." In May, Janey said city officials were reviewing the use of ferries, while forging ahead with trying to rebuild the bridge to Long Island. Part of the bridge would be built in neighboring Quincy, whose own officials have staunchly opposed. A court battle between the two cities remains ongoing. (Boston Herald)

Local Voices

"It would be super to have an oral agent that's well tolerated that works shortly after (COVID-19) exposure to prevent somebody from becoming infected. It will be interesting to see how it works and whether it works." - Boston Medical Center's Dr. Davidson Hamer

Pfizer is developing a pill that could potentially treat COVID-19 and prevent outbreaks before cases spread. Hamer told NBC10 Boston oral COVID-19 therapeutics could be a "game changer" in the battle against the pandemic. (NBC10 Boston)

A Lighter Touch

I once got a fishing hook stuck in my lip, when the wind sent my dad's line flying into my face. So I can empathize with the seabird pictured below that got a fishing lure stuck through its foot and body. Thankfully, Massachusetts Environmental police in Stellwagen Bank were able to help to Northern Gannet. Police said the bird is in good health, and they released it back into the wild after removing the hook.

Elsewhere in Massachusetts

Halloween lovers rejoice. Salem celebrations like the Haunted Happenings Grand Parade are back this year with a 2021 twist aimed at keeping visitors as safe as possible amid the coronavirus pandemic. After being canceled last year, the 25th Salem Chamber of Commerce's marquee event will become more of a wicked walkabout than a traditional parade as performers, floats and displays will be in set positions downtown with attendees encouraged to walk around and visit each one separately. (Salem Patch)

Weather: The National Weather Service says a slight chance of showers before 7 a.m., then a slight chance of more rain after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Northwest wind around 9 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

– Jimmy Bentley

Jimmy Bentley is a Massachusetts and Rhode Island field editor for Patch covering Cape Cod, Braintree, Barrington, East Greenwich, East Providence and North Kingstown. He was a reporter at the Plympton-Halifax Express and interned for Patch while earning his master's at Emerson College. In his free time, Jimmy hits concerts (sometimes reviewing them for Patch), watches movies and plays ice hockey.