This newly researched and opinionated history of the Casey Overpass in Jamaica Plain may serve as useful background information for a community grappling with how and why we got here - and where we're going.

http://fivehundredmonkeys.blogspot.com/2013/05/som...

The Jamaica Plain Gazette reports that Bridging Forest Hills, which unsuccessfully tried to get the state to replace the crumbling Casey Overpass with a new overpass instead of surface roads, hasn't given up its fight and is now trying to get Mayor Menino to help it convince MassDOT to change its mind. Menino had previously spoken against replacing the overpass with surface roads.

UPDATE: The state Department of Transportation tweets the closed lane was reopened around 4:30 a.m.

Alex Jones reports state highway engineers ordered the outbound side of Casey Overpass shut down this afternoon when parts of it began crumbling to the ground below. Plan your afternoon commute accordingly.

The Jamaica Plain Gazette reports Hizzona hates the plan to tear down the overpass in Forest Hills, but says, hey, it's not his project, so blame the state when the work turns the neighborhood into a living hell.

The Jamaica Plain Gazette reports opponents of the state's plan to replace the Casey Overpass with a new system of surface roads may try to delay and block the project until the light dawns over MassDOT and the state decides to replace the overpass with a new overpass, preferably one that is "Olmsted inspired."

The Boston Cyclists Union is throwing a shindig tonight at JJ Foley's Fireside Tavern in Forest Hills to celebrate the state's decision on the Casey Overpass. Starts at 6 p.m., with free appetizers.

The state's decision was to replace the crumbling structure with expanded and reconfigured surface roads, but the union is hoping folks who wanted to see a new overpass will come as well:

The Jamaica Plain Gazette reports the state Department of Transportation failed to announce what it plans to do about the Casey Overpass by its own deadline this week and now says it doesn't know when it will.

The Casey Overpass is scheduled to be shut between 9 p.m. Sunday and 5 a.m. Monday for repaving, MassDOT advises.

A Forest Hills bridge is a connector, not a barrier, because it keeps 24,000 vehicles per day that are not going to local destinations off local streets. With the bridge, the traffic volumes on New Washington Street are kept relatively low, about one-third of what traffic volumes would be without a bridge.

The Jamaica Plain Gazette reports a task force looking at how to replace the hulking Casey Overpass are down to two options: A bridge that would replicate the current traffic flow and ground-level intersections. State Rep. Russell Holmes, who favors a bridge, said the committee should hold hearings in Dorchester and Mattapan, in addition to JP, because of the overpass's importance as a regional route.