Study of Green Line effects on East Somerville

Somerville News: "Group studies possible Green Line effects in east Somerville"
According to Sam Zimmerman-Bergman, a project director for Reconnecting America, 30 percent of Somerville's population today lives within a half-mile of transit centers. With the extension of the Green Line and a proposed Orange Line stop in Assembly Square, that will jump to 85 percent of Somerville residents - an "incredible richness of transit," said Zimmerman-Bergman.

Arlington board supports Route 16 terminus

Arlington Advocate: "Town’s letter about the Green Line"

Boston Herald: NorthPoint chaos is Green Line risk

"T line’s extension at risk"
"The collapse of the multibillion-dollar NorthPoint project in Cambridge has thrown a monkey wrench into long-standing plans for a new Lechmere Station to anchor the $600 million extension.

State transportation officials say they are beginning to draw up contingency plans to move ahead with the station without help from a developer."

WBZ reports on the Green Line extension

"State Considers Extending The Green Line Extension"

Boston Metro: Green Line terminus petition

"Green Line growing pains"

Arlington Advocate: Green Line petition

"Next stop, Arlington?"
The petition to extend the Green Line to Route 16 is getting good participation in Arlington.

Sign petition for Green Line to extend to Route 16!

The Medford Green Line Neighborhood Alliance has created a petition, which STEP completely supports, that pushes for a Green Line terminus at Route 16. This location would provide better service for residents of Somerville, Medford, and Arlington, as well as increase access to the new Green Line for cars and buses and increase ridership. We urge all Green Line proponents to sign the petition – and to send this notice to your friends and ask them to sign as well.

Video discussion on Green Line

Ellen Reisner from STEP appears on “Progressive Voices” on Somerville Community Access Television, hosted by Fred Berman and Bill Bumpus.

Detailed station concepts released for Lowell line stops

Planning for the new Green Line stations is getting more detailed. The State and its consultant VHB have published detailed drawings of station concepts. The drawings show exact station locations as they are currently proposed, as well as important features such as bus drop-offs, sidewalks, lobbies, and elevators.

The stations with detailed drawings include:
- Brickbottom (located south of Washington St, with station entry on Joy St)
- Gilman Square (with entry from Medford St but not School St)
- Lowell St (station now moved closer to Lowell St)
- Ball Square (with entry on the north side of Broadway)
- College Ave
- Mystic Valley Parkway / Route 16

There is neither a Medford Hillside nor a Winthrop St station shown.

Union Square station concepts are expected in a few weeks.

View the station concepts on the official project site.

Union Square Green Line options down to three

The State and consultant VHB have narrowed the Union Square options down to three:

1. Fitchburg alignment: The Green Line follows the existing commuter rail right-of-way, with the station south of Union Square along Prospect St. STEP believes this option will not effectively serve the community or economic development compared with other options.

2. In-street trolley on Somerville Ave: The Green Line runs in the street on Somerville Ave to a platform in the heart of the square near the SCAT building.

3. Somerville Ave / Fitchburg line loop: The Green Line runs in a one-way loop to the Square along Somerville Ave, then south along Prospect St, then back to Lechmere along the Fitchburg line.

View maps of these options on the official project site.

More negative reactions to Green Line support facility

Somerville Journal: "Aldermen still not sure about Green Line shed slated for Somerville"