118 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading, 6/26/18:

 

MBTA nets $225 million for Green Line light-rail extension

 

 

 

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao yesterday announced $225 million in federal funds for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's (MBTA) Green Line light-rail extension.

 

 

Full story

[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading, 2/25/19:

 

MBTA resumes construction of Green Line light-rail extension

GLX construction crews at work. Photo – mbta.com

 

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will resume construction of its Green Line light-rail extension project, temporarily closing threes bridges in Somerville, Massachusetts starting March 22.

 

The Green Line Extension (GLX) project includes infrastructure improvements and widening efforts to accommodate light rail tracks and rights of way, which will lead to three bridge closures, MBTA officials said in a press release.

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

MBTA press release:

GLX On Schedule: Next Steps: 3 Somerville Bridges Scheduled to Be Closed, Reconstructed, Widened

 

Posted on February 21, 2019

 

Broadway Bridge will be closed starting March 22, 2019, followed by the Washington Street Bridge in April 2019 and the Medford Street Bridge in July 2019

 

 

The MBTA has announced that the Green Line Extension (GLX) Project is on schedule with the next major project steps including the temporary closure of 3 bridges in Somerville in order to advance GLX construction, which includes infrastructure improvements as well as widening efforts to accommodate the addition of new Green Line light rail tracks and rights of way.

 

Bridge Dates closed Broadway Bridge in Ball Square March 22, 2019 – March 2020 Washington Street Bridge (Underpass) in East Somerville April 2019 – Fall 2019
Spring 2020 – Fall 2020 Medford Street Bridge in Gilman Square July 2019 – Spring 2020

 

“This is a major step forward to bring Green Line service to the communities of Cambridge, Somerville, and Medford. While we acknowledge this work will cause disruptions at times, we have an obligation to our customers, the communities we serve, and taxpayers to deliver this important investment, and to do so on time and on budget,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “This is an exciting milestone for GLX. I want to thank the residents and businesses along the project corridor for their patience while construction takes place.”

 

Traffic detours will be in place for the duration of each closure with motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists encouraged to plan accordingly. Commuters traveling through Medford, Somerville, Cambridge, and Boston should anticipate additional travel times and are advised to seek an alternate route if possible for the duration of each bridge closure. Due to the nature of construction, bridge closure schedules are subject to change.

 

  Broadway Bridge

 

Beginning on March 22, 2019, north/west traffic will be detoured around Broadway Bridge via a left turn on Cedar Street, a right turn on Highland Avenue, a right turn on College Avenue, and the fifth exit from the traffic circle on to Broadway. South/east traffic will be detoured around Broadway Bridge via the third exit from the traffic circle at Powder House Square on to Warner Street, continuing straight on to Harvard Street, a right turn on to Main Street, continuing on to Medford Street, and a left on to Broadway. 

 

 

Further details for each of the 3 bridge closures, including directions and helpful area maps, can be found at www.greenlineextension.org.

 

The closures of the Broadway and the Medford Street Bridges are necessary in order to accommodate new Green Line light rail tracks. Currently, both bridges are only wide enough to accommodate the existing Commuter Rail service that operates beneath them. The Washington Street Bridge requires a complete reconstruction of abutments and structural span in order to accommodate the addition of the new light rail transit service and the Community Path.

 

During the closure period from March 22, 2019, through March 2020, the current Broadway Bridge structure, including its present foundation, will be completely demolished with a new, wider bridge reconstructed in its place. The new Broadway Bridge will be wide enough to require a center column pier-style foundation and will also include new east and west abutment foundations and walls as well as a lengthened roadway surface deck.

 

  Washington Street Bridge

 

The Washington Street Bridge will also be completely reconstructed. With work being accomplished in phases, preliminary activities have already taken place in late 2018. More significant work will occur during the upcoming closures from April 2019 to fall 2019 and from spring 2020 to fall 2020. When complete, the new Washington Street Bridge will feature improved drainage, structural improvements, and will incorporate elements of the upcoming Community Path.

 

Medford Street Bridge

 

During the Medford Street Bridge closure period from July 2019 through spring 2020, the existing pier and abutment structures that support the bridge will be reconstructed and widened to accommodate the presence of both the Commuter Rail and new Green Line track areas.

 

GLX Construction

 

The GLX "Phase 1" construction contract is already complete. Work included the reconstruction of the Harvard Street Railroad Bridge in Medford and the Medford Street Railroad Bridge in Somerville as well as the demolition of the MBTA-owned facilities at 21 Water Street in Cambridge.

 

The MBTA appreciates the patience and understanding of community members and others affected by these bridge closures as the GLX Project Team continues to make progress in expanding the Green Line and building 7 brand new stations. The MBTA also thanks its city partners, municipal leaders, and stakeholder groups for their continued collaboration and support of GLX.

 

 

[CNJRoss]

RT&S, 3/25/19:
 

Bridge demolitions begin for MBTA’s Green Line Extension project

 

 

Contractors have begun demolishing the first of three bridges in Somerville, MA., that will be rebuilt for the MBTA’s Green Line Extension project (GLX) connecting Boston to nearby towns.

 

The work, part of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s $2.3-billion Green Line Extension, calls for replacing three vehicular bridges with wider platforms that will house light-rail trains, a footpath and vehicles. When complete, the 4.3-mile extension will provide the communities of Cambridge, Somerville and Medford with a one-seat ride to downtown Boston.

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

The Boston Globe, 5/3/19:

Some Somerville businesses are seeing red over Green Line project

 

Construction work is underway in Union Square in Somerville. (Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff)

 

 

 

SOMERVILLE — In late February, Maria Rondeau was delighted to learn that her Peruvian restaurant, Celeste, was nominated for a James Beard award for best new restaurant in the Northeast. Her phone began ringing off the hook, as curious diners sought a table at the sleek 24-seat hotspot.

 

There was only one problem. Rondeau’s restaurant is in the heart of Somerville, which is being ripped apart by a gigantic construction project — the long-awaited extension of the Green Line.

 

SNIP

 

Somerville has dreamed about this moment for more than two decades. The Green Line Extension will create seven new T stops along two branches, one reaching into Union Square and the other stretching up to Tufts University. The new lines, scheduled to be completed in 2021, will offer unprecedented public transit access and a vast expansion of the commercial tax base that could transform the city.

 

But now that the construction is actually, finally, underway, the situation on the ground is grim. The city has closed three bridges through the end of next year and redirected traffic through side streets. To make matters worse — temporarily, at least — Somerville has also launched a series of utility and streetscape improvements in tandem with the buildout, making it nearly impossible to get around town without encountering a construction zone.

 

More here.

[CNJRoss]

The Boston Globe, 8/12/19
 

‘Count us as very worried’ about Green Line extension project, MBTA official says

 

 

 

MBTA officials said Monday they are concerned about keeping the $2.3 billion Green Line extension project on schedule after being told a key piece of it has fallen months behind.

 

John Dalton, who is overseeing the 4.7 mile extension, told the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s board that the overall project remains on time and that work crews can catch up before service on the route is scheduled to begin in late 2021.

 

SNIP

 

.  .  .  Work to relocate a set of existing commuter rail tracks that the new line will run alongside is now expected to creep into November — two months after it was originally scheduled, Dalton said.  .  .  .

 

Continue here.

[KevinKorell]

Somerville, MA Times, 5/15/20:

 

  Green Line Extension (GLX) Project Update 

 

 

 

As a follow-up to the MBTA’s recent announcement that the Lowell Commuter Rail Line will be out of service until May 24, 2020, please be advised that the GLX project will take advantage of the additional track time to further advance construction along much of the rail corridor.

 

Details

[KevinKorell]

MBTA website, 5/20/20:

 

 

 

   Reminder: Year-Long Green Line Closure between Lechmere and North Stations for GLX and Green Line Transformation Work Begins Sunday   

 

 

 

 

Today the MBTA reminded customers that Green Line service between Lechmere and North Stations is replaced with shuttle buses every day beginning at the start of service on Sunday, May 24, for approximately 1 year to accomplish work as part of the Green Line Extension project (GLX) and the Green Line Transformation Program (GLT): the closure, relocation, and complete replacement of Lechmere Station and work to demolish, relocate, and reconstruct sections of the Lechmere Viaduct.

 

 

 

Announcement

[KevinKorell]

Cambridge, MA Day, 5/20/20:

 

   Yearlong closing of Lechmere T begins Sunday   

 

 

Green line service between Lechmere and North Stations is replaced with shuttle buses every day starting Sunday, lasting for around a year to accommodate green line extension project project work, including the relocation of Lechmere Station and work to demolish, relocate and reconstruct sections of the Lechmere Viaduct. State transportation officials sent the reminder Wednesday.

 

More

[KevinKorell]

Mass Transit Magazine, 6/8/20:

 

    MBTA’s GLX begins demolition on section of Lechmere Viaduct   

 

 

 

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has begun demolition of the Lechmere Viaduct between the Gilmore Bridge and the existing Lechmere Station in East Cambridge.

 

Update