It looks like Harvard University has cleared a major hurdle in its bid to expand its campus in Allston.  CSX, the transportation giant whose base of operations are based in Allston, has agreed with the City of Boston to move its headquarters to Worcester.  By 2012, CSX’s should be vacated from the 80-acre plot of land.  Prepare for changes in Allston.

From this article in the Boston Globe:

A long-awaited, $100 million deal between the state and railroad giant CSX will move operations from the company’s sprawling rail yard in Allston to Central and Western Massachusetts and add at least seven train trips to the Worcester-Framingham commuter rail line in 2012…

CSX and state and local officials say the agreement could end years of frustration among commuters from Boston’s western suburbs who use the often-late rail line, open a large parcel in Boston for development by Harvard University, and even reroute some commuting pat terns to North Station…

CSX spokesman Robert Sullivan said Allston train operations would be shifted west by 2012. That clears the way for Harvard University to finally assume control of the site. Since 2001, the university has purchased around 140 acres in the area, said spokeswoman Lauren Marshall. After CSX leaves, the university will probably seek to remove easement restrictions, making construction of new university buildings possible….

What do you think?  Is this a good thing for Allston?