The MassDOT Board of Directors approved a contract for final design and preliminary engineering work on the Green Line Extension. It was awarded to a joint venture of AECOM Technical Services and HNTB Corporation. Construction on Phase I of the project will "begin next month," according to Transportation Secretary Richard Davey. Somerville Patch: "MassDOT Board Authorizes $45 Million Green Line Extension…
Somerville Journal: "Somerville Community Path being extended - somewhat" "We need MassDOT to fully fund Community Path construction as part of the Green Line Extension, or as mitigation for delays," Weissman said.
Somerville Patch: "Agreement Says Union Square Green Line Station Operational by 2017" "According to the announcement, the city will purchase land in Union Square for the station and then grant a permanent easement to the MBTA." Boston Globe: "Somerville strikes deal with T on land for Union Square Station" "This is another major step forward both in making the Green Line…
By Ken Krause of MGNA…
Groundbreaking for Phase I construction of the Green Line Extension (GLX), and the hiring of a new team to complete engineering and design work are among the milestones anticipated for the project this fall, according to a report released this month by MassDOT and the MBTA.
Each July, MassDOT is required to submit to the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) an Annual Status Report on the transit projects that the state committed to build as a condition of DEP approving the Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel highway project (a k a the Big Dig). The Green Line Extension to Somerville and Medford is one of two of those transit commitments that remain unfinished; the other is improvements to the Fairmount commuter rail line.
From our friends at MGNA…
The MBTA today began to solicit bids for Phase I of the Green Line Extension project with an advertisement in the Boston Globe.
Boston Globe: "Feds approve Green Line Extension environment plan" "Without the environmental thumbs-up, the project would lose a shot at $557 million in federal New Starts grants requested by the state and currently under review by the Federal Transit Authority. In its grant application, MassDOT also previewed what it said could be likely long-term options for funding transportation costs, most of…
Because the State will miss its legal deadline to open the Green Line Extension in 2014, it's obligated to implement additional projects that will provide equivalent clean air benefits until the Green Line does open. These interim offset projects need to reduce emissions at least as much as the Green Line will, be implemented by the end of 2014, and happen…
Somerville Journal column: "Time for 'adult conversation' on Somerville Green Line Extension" "The options are clear - either we roll the dice for an all-or-nothing approach and hope the legislature and future governors are committed to the GLX, or we work thoughtfully within the funding limitations we now know are real and get the biggest-bang-for-our-buck in a way that preserves all…
Somerville Patch: "Green Line Extension Takes Step Forward With Feds" "The Green Line Extension has permission from the administration to enter the 'preliminary engineering' phase of planning. This puts the proposed Green Line Extension on a master list of transportation projects across the country the Federal Transit Administration is considering for federal funding. It is not a guarantee the project will…
Somerville Patch: "House Approves Non-Traditional Green Line Construction Method, Says State Rep" The Construction Manager/General Contractor model has been used for buildings in Massachusetts, "but not for transportation projects," State Rep. Denise Provost said.