Officials Break Ground On Green Line Extension Project

SOMERVILLE, MA – State and transportation officials broke ground on the Green Line Extension project Monday at the future Union Square station site in Somerville. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao also announced the release of $225 million in federal funding, representing the second installment of federal support for the GLX.

"Today’s groundbreaking signifies an important milestone for this project – and for the region," Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone said in a statement. "With construction officially underway, the transportation, environmental, and economic benefits the completed Green Line Extension will bring to our communities are within our reach."

The cities of Somerville and Cambridge will make five annual payments of $10 million and $5 million, respectively. The $2.3 billion project, which will receive approximately $996 million in federal funding, will extend the Green Line approximately 4.7 miles along two branches from a relocated Lechmere Station in East Cambridge.

About one mile of the extension will run parallel to the Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line to Union Square in Somerville and approximately 3.7 miles will run parallel to the Lowell Commuter Rail Line to College Avenue in Medford. The GLX will include seven new stations, platform canopies, additional elevators at select stations, public art, an extension of the community path with additional connections and an enhanced vehicle maintenance facility.

Twenty-four new Green Line trolleys have been purchased under the GLX budget. The first is expected to enter service this fall, with all cars scheduled for rotation by early 2019.

Heavy construction is scheduled for this fall. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

"The Green Line Extension will improve access to education, housing and job opportunities across the entire MTBA system," Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement. "Our administration is grateful for the collaboration and support we have received from Secretary Chao and all partners at the federal, state and local level to reach this milestone and begin a project that will have a transformational impact on this region of the Commonwealth by accommodating riders and spurring economic growth."

Image via Mass.gov