U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced a USD 996 million federal grant agreement to extend the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line light rail service from East Cambridge to Somerville and Medford.
The project will be constructed in four overlapping phases till 2020. Phase I work began in January 2013 to widen two rail bridges that will carry the new Green Line tracks. Construction on the new Lechmere, East Somerville and Union Square stations will begin this spring. Once completed, trains will operate every five to six minutes in the peak period, providing fast and efficient service to Boston, and resulting in an estimated 37,900 transit trips per day.
The U.S. Department of Transportation will contribute approximately USD 996 million in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Capital Investment Grant Program (New Starts) funding over the course of the USD 2.3 billion project with funds from the Commonwealth covering the remainder.
“This bright green light of funding for the Green Line Extension means we can move forward on a critical infrastructure project that will have a major positive impact on Greater Boston. The Green Line Extension will provide fast and efficient service for commuters and day trippers alike,” said Senator Edward J. Markey.
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