Boston Globe: “Green Line extension supporters urge state not to drop project”
“Supporters of the long-anticipated project to extend the Green Line into Somerville and Medford urged the state transportation board Wednesday to seek new contractors for portions of the job to cut the cost, even if it causes more delays.”
Boston Herald: “Green Line expansion backers urge revival”
“The Green Line Extension, plain and simple, is the most important infrastructure transit project in the commonwealth today and in generations, because of the environmental benefits and the economic opportunities for the entire commonwealth,” said Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone.
Somerville Patch: “Mayor Curtatone Pushing to Revive Green Line Extension Project”
“In addition to Curtatone, several other local lawmakers and community leaders spoke out in favor of the project….The MBTA says they hope to have a plan addressing the cost overruns by December of this year.”
MassLive: “State grapples with rising cost of expanding MBTA’s Green Line into Somerville, Medford”
“My question is, where do we come up with the money?” asked Dean Mazzarella, the mayor of Leominster and a member of the MassDOT board of directors.
DePaola said several options are on the table, including downsizing, delaying or eliminating a maintenance and storage facility (saving up to $149 million); creating more “Spartan” stations (up to $40 million in savings); and downsizing, delaying or eliminating a community path extension (up to $28 million).
Transportation officials could also move to reallocate $158 million meant for a future Route 16 extension, and delay that project.
DePaola said the Green Line extension is still considered a “good project,” but they have to weigh all of the options, inviting comments from the public.