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…
Boston Globe: "Public transit ills called a health issue" "You can get a significant amount of your recommended daily physical activity by simply walking to the local bus or T stop," said Maddie Ribble, director of policy and communications for the Massachusetts Public Health Association.
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.
Somerville Patch: "Patrick Affirms Support for Green Line Extension After Somerville Campaign Visit" "I want the project to happen ... and it's obligated [to happen]," he said. He said federal rules require the state to have a clear plan for completing the project in the Transportation Improvement Program, an important report that outlines future federal transportation spending.
MassDOT has posted its presentation on retaining walls and noise barriers, from the May 22 public hearing.
Boston Globe: "Massport should help solve T mess" "Forward Funding dumped billions of dollars of state debt on to the MBTA, and assumed without reason that growing costs of service expansion into lower-density suburbs could be supported on a tax base that is static. Twelve years later, this dramatic change of state policy has eroded the financial stability of the MBTA,…
A Somerville Journal guest column…
It seems like the same old story for our city. The state continues delaying the long-promised Green Line but pushes unwanted repair of the McCarthy overpass ahead of completing the planning study to remove the overpass despite strong opposition from community. We still have one small hope of removing this overpass – a public hearing is scheduled for next Thursday.
Somerville Patch: "Bus Diversions on Orange Line to Begin in June" Construction on the new Assembly Square Orange Line stop, which has already begun, will lead to periodic bus diversions on the subway line beginning in June and lasting until the station is complete in fall of 2014. Download slides from May 23 meeting.