In a much-desired sign of progress on the Green Line extensions, the State’s Executive Office of Transportation (EOT) has released an Expanded Environmental Notification Form (EENF) for the project. The EOT filed this document with the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act (MEPA) unit of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA). This represents the beginning of the mandatory environmental planning process for this huge project. In the coming year (or years), the EOT will submit environmental impact reports to the EOEA until they are fully approved.
The EENF states that the project is slated to start in 2011 and wrap up in 2014, costing $550 million. It describes two extensions from a relocated Lechmere stop: one extension along the west side of the Lowell commuter rail line to the Medford Hillside section of Medford (ending at College Ave or Winthrop St, but surprisingly not farther), and another extension to the Union Square area along the north side of the Fitchburg rail line (rather than into the square itself, which would better serve the area). No parking would be provided at the unstaffed platform stations, which tentatively include the following: Winthrop St (possibly), College Ave, Broadway/Ball Square, Lowell St, Medford St/Gilman Square, Washington St, and Union Square.
Download the EENF (large 18MB PDF).
On Monday, October 16, 6-8 pm, there will be a public hearing about the environmental review and planning process at Somerville High School. Come support the Green Line in Somerville!
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