Assembly Square construction ramps up

Somerville News: "Major construction begins this month in Somerville at Assembly Square "
Construction on Assembly Square Drive - "the spine of the project" - will begin this month and be completed by early next year. Construction of an Orange Line train station begins next year. In addition, state officials released $10 million in funding to support roadway improvements that will facilitate the construction of IKEA.

Gov Monitor: "Massachusetts Issues First Round Of Funding For Assembly Square Project"

Assembly Square environmental impact report confirms T station details

The Final Environmental Impact Report shows that the Orange Line station will have a second entrance/exit that routes travelers right to Ikea. Thanks to feedback from disability experts, the station has "simpler lines of sight, and it will be easier to get in and out," Wig Zamore said.
Somerville Journal: "Assembly Square footprint unveiled"

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Assembly Square Orange Line slides

Download the slides (PDF) from the recent meeting on the design of the Orange Line T stop. More images after the link.

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Assembly Square Orange Line stop gets two entrances

Good news today: Thanks to community pressure, there will now be two headhouses for the Assembly Square stop, which means better access for everyone.

Somerville Journal: "Somerville's newest T stop gets a second entrance"
Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership co-founder Wig Zamore called the addition of a second entrance a "terrific response" to resident concerns.

$65 million boost to Assembly Square

Tufts Daily: "$65 million influx boosts prospects for development in Assembly Sq. area"
$25 million dollars are exclusively earmarked for the development of the new T stop, according to Mayor Curtatone.

STEP and LivableStreets on the Assembly Square station

The following letter was sent to Joseph Cosgrove, Director of Planning/Development at the MBTA

Dear Mr. Cosgrove:

We would like to take this opportunity to provide a number of comments and suggestions regarding the Assembly Square Station design, as presented to the public on June 29, 2009.

First and foremost, we would like to thank the MBTA for their collaboration with Federal Realty, IKEA, and the City of Somerville to make this project happen. Providing a new MBTA station on the Orange Line at Assembly Square will have a profound positive effect on how development and growth in this area takes place.

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Somerville Journal: Orange Line design meeting

"Residents say initial Orange Line design needs to better maximize ridership"
Somerville's first community meeting regarding the Orange Line T stop at Assembly Square has residents less than pleased about a design that seems too inflexible, does not include a second head house or station nor have enough visibility to attract riders.

MBTA's proposed design for Assembly Square T stop

At the recent public meeting on Assembly Square, the MBTA presented its preferred station design. Download the slides (PDF). Or keep reading to see some of the maps and detailed diagrams.

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Orange Line Assembly Square meeting: We need a second headhouse

Last night many residents gathered at a community meeting to discuss the design of the new Orange Line stop at Assembly Square. MBTA project staff and the design consultant provided an overview of the preliminary design for the station, which includes just one headhouse for entry and exit. This was followed by a comment period during which many people argued for a second headhouse.

STEP's Wig Zamore created a set of slides as background information and recommendations about the station design, pointing out the obvious need for a second headhouse. One headhouse would mean a less visible station, a long walk to many Assembly Square destinations (including IKEA), less effective bike connections, and poorer accessibility. Download the slides.

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Sen. John Kerry and others visit Assembly Square, talk about Orange Line stop

WCVB: "Shovel-Ready Projects Begin Around State"
“We think the combination of the T stop, the Mystic River, I-93 -- the confluence of all those things together makes this a great site to live, work and play,” said spokesperson Don Briggs.

This is what the Assembly Square stop could look like

The rendering above is by Goody Clancy.