Author: smulder

Today at the State House, the Executive Office of Transportation (EOT) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) led a public hearing on the remaining transit commitments, including the Green Line extension. Their goal was to get feedback on the proposed process to re-evaluate these commitments. But the 300 or so people attending the hearing didn’t let them get away with that. Instead, person after person spoke out that these commitments should be honored as-is, not re-visited or re-evaluated.

State Senator Jarrett T. Barrios addresses the panel

(more…)

"Transit office faces eco suit" The state is facing fines and lawsuits for not meeting its Big Dig-related commitements.

On Tuesday afternoon, Massachusetts will hold a public hearing about trying to weasel out of its commitment to extend the Green Line into Somerville. We need your help to make sure the State knows that Somerville won't accept this promise-breaking. Please come! Read more about the meeting and get talking points to use.

"Time to dig in and get results: Green Line meeting Dec. 14"

"State tries fast one" "Prepare to wage war," said Alderman at Large Bill White. "We should not allow them to get away with it." "Massachusetts must honor its Green Line commitment" - letter by Wig Zamore "Make state honor commitments" - letter by State Senator Jarrett T. Barrios

The resolution states that "the Somerville Board of Aldermen objects to any attempts by the DEP and EOT to change the transit commitment for the Green Line Extension to Somerville." Board of Aldermen Resolution (PDF)

The article “T proponents say expansion is a matter of life or death” reports that groups such as STEP are turning to health issues to push for the Green Line extension and other projects. Cars, buses, and diesel trains cause air pollution that directly impacts our health. But the MBTA says it can’t afford any expansions.

(more…)

MBTA General Manager Mike Mulhern and DEP Commissioner Robert Golledge led a public hearing on state transit commitments on November 22, where they answered questions about plans to revisit obligations like the Green Line extension.

(more…)

Massachusetts is beginning a public process to try to weasel out of many remaining Ozone SIP transit obligations - including the Green Line extension. Apparently the Executive Office of Transportation (EOT) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) have been discussing this in private for over a year. They think that Somerville will grumble but not complain too loudly. We can't…