Cities of Somerville and Cambridge commit $75M in bid to save GLX project

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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The Massachusetts cities of Somerville and Cambridge reiterated their support and commitment for the proposed Green Line Extension Project (GLX) by pledging a combined $75 million to help bridge the project's funding gap.

 

The GLX project is a proposal to extend the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line from a relocated Lechmere Station in East Cambridge to Union Square in Somerville and College Avenue in Medford. The 4.7-mile projects cost estimates ballooned to more than $1 billion over original numbers. In December, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board instituted a 90-day plan to find a cost-effective, affordable version of the project. If none was found, it would be canceled and investing the unspent Commonwealth share of the project funding on the core MBTA system would be an option. A report is expected on Monday, May 9.

“It is our understanding that without firm financial commitments from our municipalities that the GLX could be canceled and the commonwealth would forfeit not only its $996 million federal New Starts grant award, but an estimated $700 million in ‘sunk costs’ of the state’s $996 million share of the project. Additionally, the fulfillment of the public needs that this project was designed to meet would remain unrealized,” the cities wrote in a statement.

“The purpose of the GLX is to improve regional air quality as required by legally binding resolutions, reduce roadway congestion, encourage sustainable economic growth and provide a convenient means of public transportation for Massachusetts residents, workers and visitors. To ensure that these needs and goals do not go unmet, the cities of Cambridge and Somerville intend to seek to expand their financial partnership with the commonwealth to construct elements of the GLX program, subject to and contingent upon approval by the Cambridge City Council and the Somerville Board of Aldermen,” the cities wrote.

Somerville has pledged $50 million and Cambridge $25 million in new funds toward the project. The municipalities also noted the costs incurred prior to the 90-day plan’s institution.

“It is clear that the commonwealth is shifting to a new paradigm for major transportation infrastructure investments. Across the nation, many states have established predictable and equitable frameworks for local value capture financing in state transportation projects. As we work toward that goal, Somerville and Cambridge will stand with the commonwealth to advance the state of the art. We do so with the expectation that this is truly a new precedent for statewide policy and that our communities will not be held to higher standards than other Massachusetts municipalities seeking state and federal financing for roadway, transit or other infrastructure projects,” the cities concluded in their statement.

In reaction to the Somerville and Cambridge’s funding commitment to the project, Metropolitan Area Planning Council Executive Director Marc Draisen said, “The Green Line Extension will have a significant, positive impact on our region in terms of jobs created and retained, new housing units created and increased transit access for tens of thousands of residents. Cambridge and Somerville have shown a willingness to help invest in a project that will benefit themselves and their neighboring municipalities. We applaud them and MassDOT for working together to create this opportunity to advance this project.”

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