Agreement reach on site needed for MBTA Green Line extension facility

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), Congressman Michael Capuano and Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone said there is now an agreement on a new preferred site for a maintenance and storage facility needed for the Green Line extension to Somerville and Medford.

Supported by the City of
Somerville and elected officials throughout the Green Line Extension corridor,
the new site is located in the Inner Belt area of Somerville and is known as
‘Option L,’ due to its L-shaped configuration. The new location eliminates many
of the negative neighborhood impacts associated with the original site proposed
by MassDOT, and presents the best opportunities to further long-term planning
and development objectives in the area.

The selection of the Option
L site is the culmination of a community planning process that engaged
community advocates, local residents, business people and elected officials at
all levels with MassDOT planners and engineers. MassDOT has received valuable
input throughout the planning process and will continue to work with interested
individuals and organizations, including municipal officials and staff, on
specific design elements of the facility.

"I’d like to thank all
those involved in this decision," said Congressman Mike Capuano.
"Everyone showed the necessary flexibility and willingness to compromise
when it came to locating the maintenance facility. As a result, we continue
moving forward on the greater issue – making the Green Line Extension a
reality."

"The Green Line
Extension is one of our highest-profile projects, and one that offers enormous
potential transportation benefits for the communities northwest of
Boston," said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Jeffrey Mullan. "The City of
Somerville, its municipal officials and local residents, are our partners in
the planning process, and their participation has been and will continue to be
invaluable as we move forward. The selection of Option L is an example of that
partnership."

The Option L site makes
possible the future redevelopment of the areas closest to the Green Line
Extension corridor, and the creation of long-term transportation connections
between the Inner Belt and Brickbottom neighborhoods.

"This is a momentous
decision for the City of Somerville," said Somerville Mayor Joseph A.
Curtatone. "Not only does the decision about where to locate the Green
Line maintenance facility ensure that the Green Line expansion into Somerville
remains on its 2014 timeline, the chosen location creates the opportunity for
significant redevelopment inside the city’s industrial Inner Belt. Best of all,
this will help preserve the quality of life for nearby residents, notably those
in the Brickbottom artist lofts. Today we’re significantly closer to achieving
the better, brighter, more connected future we envision for this city."