Officials Oppose Quarry, Pipeline Plan in West Roxbury

Editor's Note: The following story has been updated to reflect that the pipeline project and the quarry project are two separate matters.

City and state officials are working to stop a proposed project to allow for a portion of a pipeline to run through West Roxbury.

Algonquin Gas Transmission is looking to obtain authorization from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to construct, own, operate and maintain a natural gas pipeline, a large portion of which would run through West Roxbury near the West Roxbury Crushed Stone Co., according to the West Roxbury Bulletin.

At a town hall-style meeting on March 26, Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley told attendees that he, State Sen. Mike Rush (D-West Roxbury) and State Rep. Ed Coppinger (D-Boston) are opposed to the proposed plan, saying it seems “too disruptive” and that there hasn’t been a compelling argument as to why it needs to be approved. O’Malley said that, so far, nothing has been finalized, and more community meetings will be planned to move the process forward, according to the Bulletin.

Also at the meeting, officials discussed a proposed plan that would include filling 300-500 feet of soil in the middle of a the quarry at the West Roxbury Crushed Stone. Officials held an open discussion in February to address what kinds of materials may be used to fill the quarry as well as any reclamation plans and effects on the community from health, traffic and quality-of-life perspectives. The crushed stone plant proposed to start accepting soil from major construction sites from the Boston area and beyond for the Quarry.