MBTA Awards Largest Green Line Extension Contract Since Project Stall

SOMERVILLE, MA – The MBTA on Monday approved a $57 million contract for a Colorado-based consultancy to help oversee work on the Green Line Extension project, according to a State House News Service report. The hiring of CH2M Hill is the the largest contract awarded for the project since it was put on hold two years ago.

The consultancy will be under contract from June 2017 through December 2022, State House News Service reported. Work on the $2.3 billion project is expected to start again early next year with an end date eyed for late 2021.

CH2M Hill will assist the MBTA in overseeing the firms that will build the extension. Earlier this year, three design-build firms were shortlisted to compete for the final contract. The MBTA is expected to issue its final request for proposals for the contract this month, with bids due in September.

The Green Line Extension project was halted in 2015 amid skyrocketing budget estimates. CH2M Hill's contract is about $22 million under that of the previous project and construction management firm, and the consultancy will help the MBTA manage cost control, MBTA spokesperson Joe Pesaturo told State House News Service.

The Green Line Extension project will add seven new stops in Somerville and Medford.

Patch File Photo