Green Line Extension to Cost Up to $1 Billion More Than Expected

Story Updated 12:42 PM Wednesday, August 25, 2015

– Allison Goldsberry

Plans to bring the Green Line to Medford and Somerville could cost up to one billion more than anticipated, according to The Boston Globe.

The revelations of the increased costs came about during a meeting on Monday of the MBTA’s new fiscal and management control board.

Even though the state is legally obligated to finish the project as part of a clean air settlement related to the Big Dig, transportation secretary Stephanie Pollock said the state is considering its options to cut costs, including nixing the project altogether.

“Everything is on the table, and everything includes canceling the project,” she said. “But that’s not where we want to go.”

The Globe says state transportation officials underestimated costs because estimates were done during the recession and separate contracts for several parts of the project have made things more expensive.

“Now is not a time to panic, but rather a time to come together to address the issue before us,” said Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn in a response to The Globe story. “The GreenLine project will have a significant, positive impact on the quality of life in Medford relating to environmental concerns, economic opportunities and job creation. I was in conversation today with both Frank DePaola and Secretary Pollack’s offices, and they stressed this is not the end. However, we all need to work together to continue to improve the quality of public transportation for the Medford area. The City of Medford looks forward to being an active partner at the table to help move the GreenLine project forward.”

Construction has already begun on the Green Line extension, which the federal government has pledged to commit nearly $1 billion toward. In Medford, the Harvard Street rail bridge has been renovated to accommodate Green Line tracks, and Tufts University and local philanthropist Bill Cummings have plans to create academic space at the College Avenue Green Line Station.

Two Green Line stations are planned for Medford, one at College Avenue and one in Ball Square on the Medford/Somerville line. The once $600 million project is now estimated to cost upwards of $3 billion. And that’s just for six planned stops. The seventh, a stop at Route 16, could cost another $130 million.

“…the socioeconomic development of the Landing and Assembly Row, not to mention the looming Wynn Resort…have and will continue to task the infrastructure of surface roads, not to mention the emissions related health issues presented to local residents,” said City Council candidate Mario Martin in a statement. “The considerations and public approval of the GLX development has been predicated that the residents of Medford and Somerville will have improved transportation via the Green Line Extension. It is unconscionable that the Commonwealth consider, as an option, the termination of the Green Line Extension project, without extensive RE-EVALUATION of current and future Environmental impacts to Medford and Somerville.”

According to The Globe, the latest completion date for the project is 2020.

MassDOT and the MBTA are seeking public input on cost savings and funding options for the Green Line. Comments can be sent to info@glxinfo.com or planning@dot.state.ma.us. The Green Line extension project team’s presentation for Monday’s board meeting can be viewed here.