Mayor Curtatone Pushing to Revive Green Line Extension Project

Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone is continuing his push to make the Green Line Extension project a reality, while MBTA officials attempt to work past the $1 billion budget shortfall that exists.

According to transportation officials, one of several things could happen in regards to project plans moving forward. The work could be delayed, rebidding could take place, it could be drastically scaled back or the project could be scrapped entirely.

The project includes building several miles of new Green Line tracks from Cambridge into Somerville and Medford.

Curtatone feels something must be done in order to keep the project moving forward due to its importance to area infrastructure now and well into the future. He voiced his opinion at MassDOT’s monthly board meeting on Wednesday.

“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.

Cost overruns have lifted the overall price of the project from $2 billion to an estimated $3 billion. According to officials, seeking out a new contractor to carry out the work would not guarantee a cheaper price.

In addition to Curtatone, several other local lawmakers and community leaders spoke out in favor of the project.

The MBTA says they hope to have a plan addressing the cost overruns by December of this year.