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MassDOT pledges to push funding for Green Line Extension
The state Department of Transportation renewed its commitment to securing federal funding for the Green Line Extension today, pledging to formally initiate the New Starts application process by the end of the month.
“This is an exciting next step in the construction of this important transit investment, which is a legal commitment entered into by the Commonwealth,” said MassDOT spokesman Colin Durrant in an e-mail.
The New Starts program, which is the federal government's primary financial resource for supporting major transit projects, funds new and existing fixed guideway systems including commuter rail, light and heavy rail, bus transit, streetcars and ferries.
“This is an exciting next step in the construction of this important transit investment, which is a legal commitment entered into by the Commonwealth,” said MassDOT spokesman Colin Durrant in an e-mail.
The New Starts program, which is the federal government's primary financial resource for supporting major transit projects, funds new and existing fixed guideway systems including commuter rail, light and heavy rail, bus transit, streetcars and ferries.
In order to proceed with the application process, the MBTA will
formally remove the Silver Line Phase III project in Boston from funding
consideration. The final phase of the project involves the construction
of a 1-mile tunnel to connect two existing Silver Line bus routes.
Earlier this year, the Silver Line Phase III was taken off the 20 year
funding plan – known as the Regional Transportation Plan – making it
ineligible for funding.
State contractors began conducting field work for the Green Line Extension last month. The project, which will extend existing MBTA Green Line service into Somerville and Medford, includes five new stations in Somerville - in the Brickbottom area; Gilman Square; Lowell Street; Union Square; and at Route 16 along the border with Medford. All stations are scheduled to open in 2014, except for the Route 16 stop, slated to open in 2016.
The most recent cost estimate for the entire project runs to about $932.4 million, Durrant said, adding that the state expects to fund up to 60 percent of the project with federal money.
State contractors began conducting field work for the Green Line Extension last month. The project, which will extend existing MBTA Green Line service into Somerville and Medford, includes five new stations in Somerville - in the Brickbottom area; Gilman Square; Lowell Street; Union Square; and at Route 16 along the border with Medford. All stations are scheduled to open in 2014, except for the Route 16 stop, slated to open in 2016.
The most recent cost estimate for the entire project runs to about $932.4 million, Durrant said, adding that the state expects to fund up to 60 percent of the project with federal money.
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