"Several Green Line extension firms lose T contracts" (Boston Globe) "The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has terminated contracts with several firms working on the Green Line extension and will be appointing a new project manager, after consultants revealed last week that the Green Line process has been riddled with problems. The move to end the contracts paves the way for the…
When the state transportation board met today, they discussed three options: Build the Green Line extension exactly as planned, with the cost escalations. This option looks pretty unlikely. Cancel the project altogether. The option is stupid, given the legal commitments, the community and economic benefits, and the money already spent (and obtained from the federal government). Find a way to cut back some…
What went wrong with the Green Line? Major factors were the flawed CM/GC procurement structure and implementation, as well as lack of capable oversight to prevent the contractor from price gouging. "Consultant: T got snookered on Green Line" (CommonWealth Magazine) The state enabled a major contractor group to take advantage of it, leading to ballooning Green Line Extension costs, according to a consultant…
A must-read... "Consultants paint bleak picture of T extension" (Boston Globe) "Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority employees were ill-equipped to oversee the massive Green Line extension into Somerville and Medford, should have foreseen its ballooning costs, and still don’t have an accurate cost estimate for the project, consultants told the state transportation board on Monday." "Consultants said the MBTA did not devote…
"FOX25 Investigates cost overruns on the MBTA Green Line extension" (FOX25) "One of the documents that I've read that you've uncovered that is the most amazing of all was just a straight out warning that the method they were using was going to result in one bidder," Sullivan said. The Pioneer Institute has been studying the Green Line project. Sullivan says one…
"Pollack: More Green Line funds needed" (CommonWealth Magazine) "As I've said repeatedly, the option of halting the project remains on the table until or unless we can develop a fiscally-responsible approach to completing the project," Pollack told the House Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. "If the project is to continue, I must emphasize that the Commonwealth's contribution may…
"MBTA cancels contracts for Green Line public art" (Boston Globe) In an attempt to save money on the Green Line expansion that could cost nearly $1 billion more than estimated, MBTA officials have pulled the plug on eight public art projects that make up a fraction of a percent of the project’s construction costs.
Aaron Doucett created a new map that shows the walking distance between any location and the nearest MBTA station. We look forward to the day that the Green Line fills in that big red gap! Check out the map.
"What I can tell you from inside the room on the Green Line extension discussions is that everyone involved has a positive attitude and we're figuring how to deliver a model project. No one is pushing away from the table and hopefully Secretary Pollack should have a formal plan to propose to the Governor in the next month. They're still doing…