Politics & Government
Somerville Aldermen Approve $50M Green Line Extension Funding
Somerville and Cambridge were asked to contribute a combined $75 million to the project.
SOMERVILLE, MA – The Somerville Board of Aldermen Thursday night voted to approve $50 million in funding toward the Green Line Extension project.
According to the Somerville Journal's Eliza Rosenberry, the decision was unanimous:
Find out what's happening in Somervillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Somerville Board of Aldermen have voted unanimously to fund $50M for #GLX. @VilleJournal
— Eliza Rosenberry (@elizarosenberry) December 9, 2016
New life was breathed into the Green Line Extension this week, as newly minted project manager John Dalton outlined a timeline and revised plan for the project at a meeting Wednesday night. Construction is now expected to begin in 2018, with new stations opening in Somerville and Medford in 2021.
• SEE ALSO: Green Line Extension Projects 2021 Opening
Find out what's happening in Somervillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
According to a Somerville Journal report, Thursday's vote allows the city to bond the money toward the project; it will not begin to impact tax bills for three to six years depending on the terms of the bond.
At Wednesday night's meeting, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone spoke negatively about being asked to supply the funding, but said he hoped the aldermen would approve it the following night.
The city will continue to seek alternate funding, particularly from developers, in order to reduce the tax burden on residents. Curtatone said Thursday night that the city's goal is to "recapture" at least half of the original $50 million, the Somerville Journal reported.
Image via Shutterstock
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
