Green Line Extension Promised $75M in Local Funding

Boston, MA - Waiting for the Green Line Extension to finalize sometimes feels like watching a drama. Will they or won't they?

The start-and-stop show reaches a possible finale Monday, when the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority boards meet to approve a revised extension plan or potentially deal the project a death blow.

Adding to the drama are the high stakes. In order to get a green light, the MassDOT and MBTA boards want to see a budget gap of about $1 billion filled. The connecting line was originally estimated at about $2 billion, but has since risen to as much as $3 billion.

Enter two hopeful heroes. Pending local approval, The Boston Globe reports the mayors of Somerville and Cambridge have offered a combined $75 million boost -- $50 million from Somerville and $25 million from Cambridge, in partnership with private developers.

Although that's admittedly a pittance in the face of the $1 billion shortfall, it demonstrates the importance Somerville and Cambridge believe the extension could have. For context, here's Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone, as quoted by Patch last fall.

“The Green Line Extension, plain and simple, is the most important infrastructure transit project in the commonwealth today and in generations, because of the environmental benefits and the economic opportunities for the entire commonwealth,” Curtatone said at the time.

The project, which is underway, was designed to extend Green Line service from Lechmere Station in East Cambridge to Union Square in Somerville and College Avenue in Medford. A presentation before the MassDOT and MBTA boards Monday will present a revised version meant to address cost over-runs.

To find out what happens, tune in next week...