Frustrating news: The Union Square station, previously delayed to open in December, will now open in March.
From a press release:
“Senior MBTA and GLX leadership are working closely with GLXC to bring this project to fruition on this updated timetable,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “We’re strongly committed to GLX and very close to safely bringing extended Green Line service into Somerville and Medford.”
“We are disappointed that the schedule has had to be adjusted, but GLXC is dedicated to working with our MBTA partners to complete this project by March,” said Thomas Nilsson, president of Fluor’s Infrastructure business line and a GLXC board member. “We are committed to providing MBTA Green Line passengers with a quality, safe, and affordable mode of transportation for decades to come.”
“The opening of the first Green Line Extension branch has been delayed — again” (Boston.com)
While he acknowledged the news was “disappointing,” Poftak expressed confidence that Thursday would be the last time he would have to make such an announcement, at least when it came to the Union Square branch.
“I have a real high level of confidence that this will be the last delay, sort of leaving open that we are still working on Branch 2,” Poftak told reporters.
“It was my hope that the announcement in June was our final announcement related to schedule,” he said. “Obviously, that’s not the case. We have spent an awful lot of time — both internally at the T and with GLXC — to make sure that we can hit this March date.”
“Green Line Extension Delayed Again; Won’t Open This Year” (Somerville Patch)
Poftak said the project has failed to meet key benchmarks, including completion of the first traction power substation, which powers the Green Line trains, as well as other construction and testing activities. Functional testing is underway as remaining work is finished within the substation, he added.
Officials did not announce changes to the longer branch, which includes six stops in Somerville and Medford, although they are evaluating whether the timeline needs to be adjusted. That branch is expected to open in May, five months behind the original schedule, the MBTA said in June.