Under the legislation filed by Governor Jane Swift, 75% of the land will be parks and open space, and 25% new development. The bill would allow for construction and maintenance of the surface artery to be overseen by a seven-member board of trustees, appointed by the governor and city mayor Thomas Menino as well as a 27-member advisory board of directors made up of community and business leaders. The bill was considered a compromise of sorts as the question of who would oversee the development and maintenance of the Surface Artery was a source of contention between the city and the state.

The board would be financed by $6 million in operating expenses, $4 million of which would come from a "tax betterment" to properties along the area, and $2 million to be generated by a trust set up to invest money generated by new development. The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority will contribute $50 million for the design and construction of new parks.

According to the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, House Transportation Committee chairman Joseph Sullivan said the committee will hold three public hearings this fall on the legislation, one in the State House and two in the artery district. A final bill will be passed early next year, he anticipates. NAIOP notes that opposition to bill included Senate Transportation Committee chairman Robert Havern, who says the bill was too flawed to be rushed through. "There was a call for more public input, better long-term protections for the open space and parkland, and changes to the makeup of the board of trustees," NAIOP points out.