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MEDFORD — With a tip of the cap to the 1996 classic movie Jerry Maguire, the long-awaited Green Line Extension (GLX) project, which will bring rapid transit service to Medford and Somerville, got “show me the money” progress just before year’s end.
State Department of Transportation (DOT) officials announced that the U.S. DOT has released $100 million in funding for the GLX project, which extends Green Line service five miles into Somerville and Medford. Federal grant funding is accounting for nearly all for the $1.082 billion project which has been in the works for over seven years.
The project, which now includes the establishment of six stops in Somerville and one in Medford in the Tufts University/College Square area at Boston and College avenues, picked up steam in the latter half of 2017 with formal commitment of federal funding, after a cost reduction and construction plan redevelopment and a selection on a contractor: GLX Constructors of Texas.
GLX was designated as the builder of the extension in November when it came in more than $200 million under the $1.3 billion project spending cap put in place by the MBTA with its winning bid of $1.082 billion.
With the release of the federal funding, the MBTA issued the formal Notice to Proceed to GLX Design-Build team, GLX Constructors.
“Thanks to the hard work of (Mass DOT) Secretary (Stephanie) Pollack, her team, and the hugely successful collaborative work with (U.S. DOT) Secretary (Elaine) Chao, our federal partners, and the cities of Cambridge, Somerville, and Medford, this important project is moving ahead,” said Gov. Charlie Baker in a statement.
“The Green Line Extension project will provide important public transit service that will have a transformational impact for this region of the Commonwealth to accommodate riders and spur economic growth.”
Construction on the project is scheduled to fully begin this year and service is projected to be completed by 2021.
In related news, Medford Mayor Stephanie M. Burke announced Friday she is seeking a new member on the Green Line Extension community working group comprised of Medford and Somerville residents and officials formed in conjunction with the Green Line Extension project team. A spokesperson for Burke said this member should live near the Ball Square neighborhood.
For those who seeking this appointment, a letter of interest and written reasons for receiving this appointment should be submitted to Mayor Stephanie M. Burke c/o Linda Coletti at [email protected] or by mail to Medford City Hall, Office of the Mayor, Room 202 85 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, MA 02155 no later than Jan. 5, 2018.
