The revised 2007â2010 Transportation Improvement Program and Air Quality Conformity Determination (TIP) has been endorsed by the Boston MPO and still awaits federal approval. The Green Line extension is in the TIP as a recommended medium-priority project, but awaits action by the DEP on the revised SIP commitments. Also in the TIP is a large $25 million earmark for an Orange…
Join the annual celebration of alternatives to the automobile. For more information, visit World Carfree Network. Also check out the AltWheels Transportation Festival on September 22-23 on Boston City Hall Plaza.
A new study debunks the myth that Bus Rapid Transit is successful in most places and puts bus in its proper place: below rail options in densely populated corridors. Evaluating New Start Transit Program Performance: Comparing Rail And Bus (PDF)
Topics included the Boston MPO's TIP, UPWP, and RTP, the bus survey, the Green Line Forum, the Community Path, and more. Meeting notes (PDF)
It has been more than seven long months since the Dec. 15, 2005, hearing held by the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection on the Ozone SIP “transit commitments.” Now the state is six months behind schedule in releasing the SIP commitments. This is critical because the SIP commitments must be submitted to the federal Environmental Protection Administration for review and approval before funding for construction of the Green Line can be secured. These delays are holding back progress on the Green Line.
Keep reading for how you can help.
The following is from Denise Provost’s email newsletter…
On Monday, July 24, I organized a meeting for the Somerville Legislative Delegation with representatives from MassHighway, MBTA, the Executive Office of Transportation (EOT), and from the City of Somerville to discuss the Green Line extension. Specifically, we met to clarify the timeline for progress on the Green Line extension, from engineering and public process, to identifying a funding source for the project.
We learned that EOT has a consultant doing some of the environmental evaluations, and expects to hold a public hearing this September (date TBA) on the Environmental Notification Form (ENF) for the project. The redrafted Ozone State Implementation Plan (âOzone SIPâ) regulations have gone to the state’s Office of Administration and Finance (A&F), and are expected to be released within the next month or two. It is expected that the project will be in the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) in July, 2007, but that an alignment and station locations will not be identified until the end of 2007 or in 2008.
Topics included outreach for the MPO TIP and UPWP comment period, the bus survey, and several Green Line issues. Meeting notes (PDF)
The Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has posted drafts of two important documents. The FY 2007 Draft Unified Planning Work Program (known as the UPWP) is an annual summary of all transportation planning projects expected to be undertaken in the region during the fiscal year. The 2007-2010 Transportation Improvement Program (known as the TIP) shows all transportation projects in the next…
STEP is sponsoring a survey of current bus service in Somerville. This is your chance to be heard! Take the Bus Survey
This year STEP shared a booth with the Somerville Bicycle Committee and also hosted some Green Line friends from Medford. Thanks to everyone who dropped by! Click for more pictures.