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Thanks to everyone for coming out tonight in support of the Green Line! We made it clear through our presence and comments that Somerville deserves a fully built Green Line Extension, including a Union Square branch and Community Path. Let’s keep the pressure on!

More photos below…

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Many voices need to be heard – NOW – to ensure that the Green Line Extension is built.

MassDOT and the MBTA have scheduled five public meetings on the Green Line Extension (GLX) and the integrated Community Path (CPX) project, to receive public input/suggestions on ways to reduce the cost of construction.

The full meeting schedule is at the end of this post.

A really big turnout for the first meeting THIS WEDNESDAY will send an important message to MassDOT, the MBTA and the Governor.

Wednesday, March 2nd at Arts at the Armory
191 Highland Avenue – Somerville
Open House: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Presentation and Q&A: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

It is important to speak out on our commitment to and need for the fully functional GLX.

Keep reading for important details…

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"Somerville plans public relations push for GLX" (Somerville Journal) "As state officials consider cutting the Green Line Extension, Somerville is hiring a PR firm to promote the project via placed interviews and op-eds, Reddit Ask Me Anything forums and 'memes.' 'We want to be sure that all of the advocates, elected officials, and thought leaders - from transit supporters to climate…

The Green Line Extension Working Group met yesterday for the first time in a long time, getting updates from the head of the MBTA and the interim project manager of the GLX. Despite the snow, about 100 residents joined the meeting in support of the project. A few highlights:

• The goal of the new project team is to try to reduce the scope of the GLX in order to bring it back down to the $2 billion currently budgeted. (Here’s the team.)
• John Karn of ARUP summarized the areas being explored to cut costs (view the presentation), including:
  • Lowell cross section: slim down the right-of-way area and potentially cut the Community Path (something STEP finds unacceptable).
  • Stations: redesign stations to be “smaller, more spartan but functional,” which STEP supports. Unfortunately, that might also include redesigning station access and egress, which could negatively impact the Community Path.
  • Union Square: consider alternatives for this stop, such as a commuter rail stop or bus service – not at all acceptable.
  • Viaducts: reduce their size, mass, and number (which might also include cutting the Community Path).
  • Maintenance facility: make it much smaller and simpler.
  • Schedule/productivity: work off-peak hours and shut down the commuter rail to save time and money.
• We finally got to see cost estimates for various components of this project, including Lechmere station ($72 million in contractor bid), Union Square station ($40M), Washington station ($50M), and more. (Here’s the detailed spreadsheet.)
• There will be multiple public meetings to involve the community in this process between now and May, when the team’s report is due to the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB). (Here’s their schedule.)

Here’s video of the entire meeting:

Below are detailed notes from our friends at MGNA…

INTRODUCTION

This was the first Working Group meeting since the project was put on pause due to the projected cost escalation, and a new project team was installed to fully re-examine the project to determine whether it still will be built, and in what form. Chairperson Doug Carr said the Working Group was eager to be engaged in the process and offer its input and expertise, noting that many of the members have been involved with the project for 10 years or longer.

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The Green Line Extension Project Working Group will meet this Friday morning from 10-12 to hear from the state: Where things stand right now, including next steps and timelines Preliminary redesign concepts - an early peek at some of the options they're exploring to bring down costs Project budget overview Please come to show support for the Green Line! There will…

"Green Line project cuts could threaten federal funding, Capuano says" (Boston Globe) "Congressman Michael Capuano said that if the state cuts the proposed Green Line extension too deeply it could threaten the project's nearly $1 billion in federal funding. 'Any changes to the Green Line that would jeopardize federal money are unacceptable as far as I am concerned,' Capuano said in…

By William C. Shelton Some high-profile advocates argue that the Green Line Extension should be built because it will stimulate economic and housing development. The mayor is telling regional media and policy makers that the GLX will lead to 30,000 new Somerville jobs and 10,000 new homes. Yes, 10,000! Indeed, increased commercial-tax-revenue and jobs are essential reasons why we need it.…

"Board OKs $6M to study stalled Green Line plan" (Boston Herald) "The panel yesterday approved deals with three firms that will redesign the project and come up with a new price tag for it, T General Manager Frank DePaola said yesterday after the meeting. DePaola hopes firms under contract will bring costs down $1 billion to its initial budget of $1.99…

"Severe cuts due in Green Line project" (Boston Globe) "The head of the board that oversees the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority says that cutbacks to the Green Line extension will have to be 'on the side of brutal,' as officials seek to cut costs for the troubled project. 'This has to be a bare minimum system in order to get to…