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 in the long run end up hurting the people of Somerville."

STEP would like to remind Rep. Capuano that the Green Line Extension isn't a dream. It's a legal commitment. If this commitment isn't honored, the State could lose a huge amount of federal funding. A promise is a promise.

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 cars, is going to make this a more liveable community."

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"

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 year, MBTA project officials said.

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, Retaining Walls
April: Community Path (design currently is at 30%)
September: Phase I construction update
Fall: Public meeting with Phase I construction contractor

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.

Photos from the event

Run-down of the key facts, links, and events relating to the proposed MBTA fare and service changes

Here's a one-page summary of what's going on and where you can go to learn more or get involved. We'll update the following as events unfold.

Read more

Cambridge Chronicle on the MBTA proposals

"MBTA general manager: Fare hike plan would see decreased ridership"
The Green Line extension to Tufts University and a South Coast rail line will continue as planned, as both are state obligations as part of the Big Dig, but neither will be paid for by the MBTA, according to acting general manager Jonathan Davis.

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 to ensure financial solvency for the T. It is past time that we seriously address these long term funding issues. I will continue to advocate for an increase in the gas tax and more dedicated revenue to the T."

Somerville Journal: "Sciortino: We can do better than current MBTA proposal"
"Placing the burden entirely on the backs of T customers ignores the reality that our entire transportation system is woefully underfunded, and demands a statewide comprehensive solution that must include new revenues."