"Three Design-Build Firms on Short List for Green Line Extension Project" (Somerville Patch) "The MBTA has narrowed down the number of firms eligible for the Green Line Extension Project's design-build contract to three after evaluating a series of Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) for the project. Under the contract, a single firm will be responsible for the design and construction of the…
"Minneapolis light-rail routes spur $6.8 billion in development, Met Council says" "Businesses continue making strategic investments along existing and planned light-rail lines, demonstrating their conviction that light rail is a valuable asset to local communities along these routes," said Metropolitan Council Chair Adam Duininck.
"'Real Momentum' On Green Line Extension, But Cost Questions Remain" (WBUR) "The turnaround has hardly been dramatic, featuring incremental steps over months as officials pulled back the scale and cost of the project, brought aboard [project manager John] Dalton -- a former Chicago Transit Authority official -- and received agreements from Cambridge and Somerville to contribute a combined $75 million toward the extension…
The latest step for the Green Line Extension, which was scaled back last year, is the filing of the official Notice of Project Change to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The new design, like the previous design, is expected to comply with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). "GLX Files Project Change Notice With Environmental Affairs" (Somerville Patch)
Our beloved Green Line Extension is #28 on this list of "Emergency and National Security Projects" coming out of the Trump administration. Some might say it's on the list because the funding has already been allocated and he can easily try to take credit for it. In any case, let's build it! "Green Line extension makes Trump's infrastructure list" (Boston Globe)…
"T building out Green Line Ext team" (CommonWealth Magazine) "John Dalton, the T's point person on the Green Line Extension, also said he has hired four other employees to help him oversee the project, leaving only two vacancies on his seven-person team....The T is meeting Wednesday and Thursday with federal regulators to complete a risk assessment of the project that will…
From Rep. Provost’s email newsletter…
On December 10, 2016, I was invited to give a presentation as part of a program titled “Reviving Federal Investment in Public Transit: Build Subways, not Submarines.” The program, held at MIT’s Stata Center, was expected to draw 50 -75 people; 125 from around the region attended, and an overflow room with a video screen had to be set up to accommodate those present. It’s encouraging to me that so many people care enough about transit to give up half a Saturday in December, to be informed and energized about it.
The topic that program organizers asked me to speak on was “Building the Green Line Extension (GLX) We Need.” Since Somerville folk tend to be wholly on board with transit funding, and with GLX in particular, I wasn’t surprised that not many attended the December 10 program. I do, however, want to let those who did not attend know what I had to say about the GLX, so here is my text:
“First, I want to make a disclaimer about my remarks. They represent my views only; not those of the City of Somerville, other members of Somerville’s legislative delegation, or of any organization. It is, however, a Somerville-centric view of the GLX, because that’s my patch. (more…)
"Aldermen approve Green Line funding in 'momentous vote'" (Somerville Journal) "Citing public support and an in-depth due diligence process during recent weeks, the Board of Aldermen unanimously voted to approve $50 million to fund the Green Line Extension on Dec. 8. Without municipal contributions from Somerville and Cambridge, city officials emphasized, the project would not proceed." "Somerville Aldermen Approve $50M Green…
Here's the short version of the latest schedule: Underway: Evaluating and selecting the Design-Build contractors Feb 2018: Construction begins June 2021: Union Square station opens Sept 2021: Other stations open For more details on the process, the Community Path, view the State's presentation from this week's public meeting.