Rep. Capuano asks Somerville to give up and not fight for the entire Green Line

Somerville Patch: "Capuano on Green Line: 'Take What We Can'" "He said Somerville should see how much money the state currently has for the project, 'grab as much of that as we can and build as much of the Green Line as we can.'" Somerville News: "Breakfast with Congressman Capuano" "If we hang onto some dream that cannot be funded…that will…

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Boston Globe on Green Line update

"MBTA project moving ahead" Wig Zamore, a founding member of the nonprofit Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership, said the timeline for the first phase is encouraging. "It's taken a very long time to get just to this point," he said. "Somerville is a small, dense city....For us to see a shift to clean transit, so that people don't have to rely on…

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Green Line bridge construction could begin this year

Somerville Patch: "Early Stages Green Line Construction Could Begin This Year" The first phase of construction on the Green Line extension project, which will cost about $20 million, according to the Globe, will include bridge reconstruction, demolition work and site preparation. Somerville Journal: "Detours expected during Green Line bridge work in Somerville"

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MBTA still committed to Green Line Extension

Boston Globe: "Somerville, Medford residents reassured Green Line extension coming" The long-awaited Green Line Extension is on track to move ahead, with the final design of the $1.1 billion public transit project due to be completed in March, and the first phase of construction, including the widening of railroad bridges in Medford and Somerville, to start by the end of this…

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Notes from Green Line construction meeting

Yesterday, MassDOT held a public meeting about the Green Line Extension Phase I Early Bridge & Demolition Contract Scope of Work. Read notes from the meeting from our friends at MGNA. Upcoming meetings include: Wednesday, Feb. 8: Washington Street and Union Square station Early March: Gilman and Lowell Street station March/April: Ball Square and College Avenue station March/April: Right-of-way, Noise, Vibration,…

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Boston Globe on MBTA protest

"Cuts protested at State House" "It was easy for [state lawmakers] to drop the Big Dig debt on the backs of the T and its riders, so they really need to consider how important of a service this is for our region and for the state as a whole," Matsueda said before leading the group in a march to the hearing.…

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Local officials push for gas tax instead of T service cuts

Somerville Patch: "Local Leaders React to MBTA's Proposed Cuts, Favor Upping Gas Tax" "Even the relatively big increases being proposed will not provide more than a one- or two-year fix," Jehlen said in an email to Patch Wednesday. "I, along with some of my colleagues, have been advocating for an increase in the gas tax as a reasonable and sustainable way…

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Occupy the T gains momentum

The potential MBTA service cuts and fare increases would have a profound effect on Somerville, and it's great to see many groups speaking out and taking actions to express concern and outrage. One such group is Occupy the T. Check out their progress in this Boston Occupier article and their Facebook group. Also keep an eye on the Occupy Somerville site.…

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