State elected officials support Route 16 terminus

The following is a letter to Gov. Deval Patrick...

As elected representatives of Somerville and Medford we are writing to
express our concerns that the Green Line extension may not be extended far
enough to serve all of our communities as effectively as possible. We
strongly believe that the Green Line should terminate at Route 16. The Green
Line extension is one of the most important public transportation
investments that we as a state have made or are likely to make in the near
future. It is crucial that we get this investment as right as possible.


A Route 16 terminus would serve residents of Somerville, Medford Hillside
and Arlington in a way that a terminus at College Ave. would not. Somerville
is being asked to accept a new maintenance facility that would service and
store trains not only for the extension but for the rest of the line as
well. Somerville is already heavily burdened by MBTA support facilities
which do not serve the city. Any additional MBTA support facility in
Somerville should be as small as possible, should conform to the needs of
Somerville's future economic growth and should deliver mitigation to the
residents of Somerville. One aspect of this mitigation should be Green Line
service that provides the greatest possible benefit to the city and
residents of Somerville. That service should include a stop at Route 16.



We also believe that a Route 16 terminus would allow for tremendous economic
development opportunities for Somerville and Medford. Additionally, the
Medford Hillside has been promised Green Line service and we do not believe
that terminating the line at College Ave. would meet the definition of
servicing the Hillside as outlined by the SIP. We also strongly believe that
a Route 16 terminus would generate additional ridership beyond current
projections and that that demand would continue to grow along with economic
development in the area. As you are probably aware, over 2000 residents of
Medford and Arlington have signed a petition requesting that the Green Line
be extended to Rte. 16.


For the above mentioned reasons as well as many others, we would insist that
the Green Line extension continue out to Route 16. We would appreciate the
opportunity to meet with you and your staff to discuss this issue in greater
detail at you earliest convenience. Thank you for your consideration in this
matter. We look forward to hearing from you with your thoughts on this
matter and to schedule a meeting.


Sincerely,

PATRICIA D JEHLEN, STATE SENATOR, 2nd MIDDLESEX

DENISE PROVOST, STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 27th MIDDLESEX

CARL SCIORTINO, STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 34th MIDDLESEX

SEAN GARBALLEY, STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 23rd MIDDLESEX