News on Green Line to Somerville

The link below seems to indicate the MBTA favors BRT rather than a Green Line extension to Somerville. Not much of a surprise there.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articl ... h_trolley/

Not surprising. That happens to be an area where Green Line makes
perfectly good sense, since it would be on an existing rail ROW and carry a potentially very large ridership, as opposed to Arborway, where it doesn't. The T is trying to ram BRT down everybody's throats, even where it doesn't make sense. Hopefuly the folks in Somerville will throw
up on them!

That happens to be an area where Green Line makes
perfectly good sense, since it would be on an existing rail ROW and carry a potentially very large ridership, as opposed to Arborway, where it doesn't.

The Arborway corridor has a huge ridership base, the 39 alone has more riders daily than any route through Somerville and probably more than a few of the Somerville routes combined.

What probably sets the project apart from any other hough is the lack of transit in Somerville. The need is there, there is a huge hole that buses just will not fill. It helps that there is existing infrestructure and is close enough to make the project economical, but even if it cost more than the projected cost it is still worth the price.

Even just a shortened extension from Lechmere to Union Square would give a lot of bang for the buck, serving much of Somerville, Cambridgeport and East Cambridge with light rail directly to Boston for a relatively small investment.

This line going to Union Square could have stations at Medford Street (near Gore Street), and at Washington Street near Union Sqaure. Also, there would be a relocated Lechmere station as part of the North point development.

These stations would intercept several major bus lines and greatly shorten the trip to downtown. Why spend over a billion for the proposed Silver Line bus tunnel from South Cove to South Station, when more economical, more effective transit investments like these can be done? This short, relatively inexpensive light rail line to Union Square would help redevelop this inner city.

One of the T's study options is Green Line to Union Square and BRT to West Medford.

Folks, I'm a little confused. Would it really cost $375M to extend the Green line along an existing ROW to West Medford? Are they saying that the cost of extra trains, personnel, etc would all add up to that?

They will need to relocate the commuter rail tracks and probably rebuild bridges and retaining walls to allow a four-track-wide right-of-way.

At the Somerville meeting they also mentioned the need for a grade separation at West Medford.

$375 Million probably for starters:

1)New bridge over the Fitchburg Route commuter rail line/CSX Grand Jct
Branch/BET leads where the former freight bridge was located.

2)Concessions to Guilford since the new ROW would traverse old Yard 8
and would require the using the old 4th Iron lead to Somerville Jct.
You would have to create a new connection around Washington Street.
Signal changes and new interlocking = $$$

3) Mitigation for the NIMBY Brickbottom Artists Building located at #1.
Maybe we could give them a station.

4) Washington Street Somerville. There were/are plans to rebuild or
replace this bridge to address flooding and height concerns.

5) While the ROW is certainly wide enough for the T to Somerville Jct
(Lowell St Bridge area), beyond that to W.Medford would require
clearence work for five overhead bridges and a new one over Harvard
St, Mystic Valley Parkway and the Mystic River.

6) Two at-grade crossings: Canal St and High St. Significant issues here.

Dave

Brickbottom artists will support the Green Line, not oppose it. But a station near them will help redevelop the underutilized industrial area next to their building.

You could probably leave the Canal Street grade crossing alone, but the High Street one already causes significant traffic tieups just from the commuter rail stop, and I think a Green Line grade crossing here would make things much worse.

Most of the issues associated with widening the right-of-way apply equally to a Green Line extension or a BRT road. In fact, the BRT would require more width than two railroad tracks.

could the cost of the project also include the new Lechmere station and(as heard from a reliable source) a new layover yard/minor maintnence facility adjactent to the station? That would jack up the cost if not done seperate from the project.

Also, would the line utilize the Fitchburg Line for a bit then branch off to access the Lowell Line? Would it require a tunnel or can it be accomplished at grade if there is space?

I think there are two major differences between the Sommerville extension and Arborway restoration. First, from what I've seen, public opinion in JP seems to be split over whether they actually want the Green Line back down Centre St. I believe support for the Green Line in Sommerville is pretty much universal among the residents. Second, the Green Line in Sommerville would not cause the traffic concerns that it would in JP.

efin98 wrote:Also, would the line utilize the Fitchburg Line for a bit then branch off to access the Lowell Line? Would it require a tunnel or can it be accomplished at grade if there is space?

Such a tunnel under Prospect Hill is one of the options under study (an unreasonable one, if you ask me).

Ron Newman wrote:Such a tunnel under Prospect Hill is one of the options under study (an unreasonable one, if you ask me).

Is the tunnel avoidable though? Would maybe a cut with overpasses work instead or maybe street running on a private right or way?

No. Prospect Hill is steep as well as densely populated.