State planners have finalized plans to revitalize the Bowker Overpass, the Fenway’s eastern gate, repairing crumbling road infrastructure and turning a dangerous pedestrian intersection into a multimodal paradise.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) gave the public its most complete picture yet on July 11. The public forum saw general support from residents and civic groups eager to see the broader Charlesgate project move toward fully opening that part of the Emerald Necklace.

Today, the 60-year old Bowker overpass is a knot of asphalt roads, connecting Boylston Street to Commonwealth Avenue over the I-90. Officials showed pictures of crumbling concrete and exposed rebar rusting away in the elements.

“Engineering analysis shows the bridge superstructure warrants replacement. The bridge is in poor condition, the I-90 overpass has been struck by over height vehicles on several occasions. The steel has corroded severely, the piers have deteriorated, and its service life has diminished considerably,” said Project Manager Alwin Ramirez.

The roadway is also hazardous for pedestrians, offering just an unprotected concrete sidewalk directly adjacent to speeding traffic. Getting to the other side of the overpass entails using several crosswalks in succession at some points, and the northern gate to the Charles River essentially cuts the Esplanade in half with a wall of seven active roadways.

“Bicyclists traverse on the sidewalk instead of the path, and you can see pedestrians using sidewalks that are non-compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Ramirez.

New designs aim to simplify the area for cars and increase accessibility for pedestrians. This blueprint only covers the southern portion between Boylston Street and Commonwealth Avenue, leaving the area even further south to the Fenway Transportation Action Plan and the middle section to the Charlesgate Park Revitalization Plan. The northernmost section will require a redesign of Storrow Drive.

The new layout will offer distinct paths for bikes, cars and pedestrians all the way to Commonwealth Avenue from either direction, with bikes and pedestrians sharing some parts.

The offramps will also be redesigned, with one new road to Charlesgate west replacing the ramps on either side to Commonwealth Avenue.

In addition to simplifying road design and reducing the number of crossings, this will contribute to ongoing efforts to sunlight the Muddy River and restore it to health. Additional trees, paths and lawns in the now-barren middle section will allow residents and visitors to stop and enjoy the river while passing through.

Changes to this design are unlikely at this point. MassDOT has been working on the project since Fall 2021 and says it will have the design 100% finished “very soon.” Once design is finished MassDOT will begin taking bids for construction.

Construction will take place largely at night to avoid traffic disruptions, though at points there will be rolling roadblocks on the I-90. Ipswich Street will see nighttime closures and parking restrictions.

Pedestrians will be forced to one sidewalk, and cyclists will be able to use the area as they always have, walking their bike on the sidewalk or fighting cars for road space.

State Representative Jay Livingstone and City Councilor Sharon Durkan did not attend the meeting but did send staffers to speak in support, as did State Senator Will Brownsberger.

Public response was muted but positive, with residents hashing out details and verifying that planners were coordinating with surrounding development proposals like 2 Charlesgate West. The Emerald Necklace Conservancy spoke strongly in support of the redesign.

“This portion of the Emerald Necklace has been so compromised people don’t even recognize it as a part of the park. This area suffers from dead ends, lack of access. When you cross this bridge, it feels like walking the plank,” said Conservancy President Karen Mauner-Brodek.