Executive Office of Transportation State Implementation Plan – Transit Commitments 2008 Status Report Submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection July 1, 2008 For questions on this document, please contact: Katherine S. Fichter Executive Office of Transportation Office of Transportation Planning 10 Park Plaza, Room 4150 Boston, Massachusetts 02116 katherine.fichter@eot.state.ma.us To submit comments on this document, please contact: Jerome Grafe Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection One Winter Street, 6th Floor Boston, Massachusetts 02108 jerome.grafe@state.ma.us INTRODUCTION This report is submitted by the Executive Office of Transportation (EOT) to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in order to fulfill the requirements of 310 CMR 7.36(7), Transit System Improvements. Below is a project description and status information for each of the public transit projects required under the revised State Implementation Plan (SIP). EOT hopes to make the annual Status Report process one of iterative improvement, and looks to DEP and to the public for comments and other suggestions to refine its efforts. EOT Office of Transportation Planning July 1, 2008 Page 1 I. GREENBUSH COMMUTER RAIL RESTORATION SIP Requirement Before December 31, 2007, construction of the following facility shall be completed and opened to full public use: Old Colony Commuter Rail Line Extension to Scituate (Greenbush). Project Description The restoration of the Greenbush commuter rail line included: (1) upgrading track and signals from Braintree to Scituate, (2) constructing commuter rail stations and parking facilities at Weymouth Landing, East Weymouth, West Hingham, Nantasket Junction (Hingham), Cohasset, North Scituate, and Greenbush (Scituate), (3) constructing a layover facility in Scituate and an 800‐foot underpass in Hingham Square, and (4) making intersection improvements and roadway changes to accommodate train service. The Greenbush Line, like the rest of the Old Colony restoration, was planned for completion by December 31, 1996. EOT sought and received an extension of this deadline to December 31, 1999. While the other two lines of the Old Colony Railroad (Middleborough and Plymouth) were completed in 1997, service along the Greenbush Line was not initiated by the 1999 deadline. As a result, EOT provided mitigation for the missed deadline – including increased commuter rail, bus, and ferry service elsewhere within the MBTA District – and sought and received an extended deadline for project completion to December 31, 2007. Passenger service on the Greenbush Line was initiated in October 2007, two months ahead of the revised deadline. Planning Conformity Throughout the life of the project, the Greenbush restoration was included in all relevant transportation planning documents, including the MBTA Program for Mass Transportation and the Regional Transportation Plan of the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization. Project Status The Greenbush Line was opened for service on October 31, 2007. It currently runs on a full schedule and serves approximately 4,000 passengers per day. Project Funding The final cost of the Greenbush Line has been calculated at $532 million, all of which was funded using state bond monies. SIP Requirement Status The SIP requirement for the Greenbush restoration was met upon the initiation of passenger service. As such, it will no longer be included in future status reports. EOT Office of Transportation Planning July 1, 2008 Page 2 II. BLUE LINE PLATFORM LENGTHENING AND STATION MODERNIZATION SIP Requirement Before December 31, 2008, construction of the following facility shall be completed and opened to full public use: Blue Line Platform Lengthening and Modernization. Project Description The MBTA is in the process of retrofitting all of the Blue Line stations so that they can accommodate six‐car trains as required by the SIP (four‐car trains are currently operate along the line). The MBTA is also purchasing new and additional Blue Line vehicles to meet the six‐car train requirement. In addition to the work required to meet the six‐car SIP mandate, the MBTA has also undertaken a modernization program for the Blue Line, including improvements to lighting, seating, signage, access, and other station features. EOT is reporting on all elements of the Blue Line improvement effort here. The modernization program, when combined with the introduction of the SIP‐required six‐car trains, will significantly improve the experience of using the Blue Line. The MBTA has undertaken the following work as part of its overall program to upgrade the Blue Line: ƒ Stations at Airport, Aquarium, Beachmont, Government Center, Orient Heights, Maverick, Revere Beach, State, Suffolk Downs, Wood Island, and Wonderland are all ready to accommodate six‐car trains. Modernization work (e.g. making the stations fully accessible, providing new and improved amenities) at State and Maverick is underway via separate construction contracts and modernization work is expected to start at Government Center and Orient Heights in late 2009. ƒ Due to limitations resulting from track geometry, Bowdoin Station cannot accommodate six‐car trains on the outbound track. As described in the Blue Line Modernization Environmental Impact Report (EOEA #8772), the MBTA had planned to close Bowdoin Station to passengers when six‐car trains begin running. The MBTA has now decided to continue operations at Bowdoin Station and is implementing station modifications so that it can safely and practicably continue to allow passengers to use Bowdoin once six‐car trains are running. Planning Conformity Throughout the life of the project, Blue Line Platform Lengthening and Modernization has been included in all relevant transportation planning documents, including the MBTA Program for Mass Transportation and the Regional Transportation Plan of the Boston Region MPO. EOT Office of Transportation Planning July 1, 2008 Page 3 Project Status Stations The Maverick Station modernization contract has been awarded and work is currently underway. The project will completely overhaul the station – almost 60 years old – and make it fully accessible for persons with disabilities. The MBTA anticipates that all modernization work on this station will be substantially complete by November 2008. The platform‐lengthening work necessary to allow the station to accommodate six‐car trains is already complete. The Government Center Station modernization contract was advertised in 2007. The contractors’ bids, however, came in 45% higher than the MBTA’s original estimate. As a result, the MBTA is currently looking to redesign the project so that the modernized station continues to meet ADA requirements but does so at a lower cost. The MBTA is working with the Federal Transit Administration to determine what the new timeline for advertisement and completion of the station modernization work will be. Government Center Station can currently accommodate six‐car trains. The contract for the Orient Heights Station modernization – with a scope significantly modified to respond to community requests – will be advertised in 2009. A construction sequencing and construction management plan for the new station has not yet been developed, so an anticipated completion date cannot be provided at this time. The station, however, can currently accommodate six‐car trains. While significant work on the State Street Station modernization remains, the platforms can now accommodate six‐car trains in both directions. The MBTA still needs to build two new fully accessible entrances along each side of State Street. The MBTA anticipates that the modernization work for this station will be substantially complete by November 2009. Vehicles New vehicles are needed for the Blue Line, both to provide a sufficient number of cars for the new six‐car trains and to allow for the retirement of the existing, and aging, fleet. On February 20, 2008, the MBTA introduced the first new Blue Line train into passenger service. The MBTA will continue to accept and bring into service new Blue Line cars ‐ and, correspondingly, retire older Blue Line cars ‐ until the last new train set is in service. As of the date of this report, the MBTA has 16 new Blue Line vehicles in revenue service, along with an additional four cars soon to complete the burn‐in process and enter into service. The MBTA expects all 94 vehicles to be in revenue service by the end of 2009, with 4‐6 vehicles anticipated to enter revenue service every month until then. EOT Office of Transportation Planning July 1, 2008 Page 4 In order to meet the SIP commitment of running six‐car trains by the end of 2008, the MBTA will use a combination of old and new Blue Line vehicles until all new vehicles are in service. Project Funding The entire Blue Line Modernization effort, including all station and facility upgrades and the new Blue Line vehicles, was funded by a combination of federal transit and MBTA revenue bonds. The total cost of the improvements necessary to allow the Blue Line to accommodate six‐car trains – including the cost of purchasing necessary new Blue Line cars – was $597.3 million, with the FTA funding $319.5 million and the MBTA funding the remaining $277.8 million. SIP Requirement Status The MBTA anticipates that, by December 31, 2008, six‐car trains will operate on the Blue Line during morning and evening peak periods. EOT and the MBTA have a long‐standing understanding – shared with DEP in the past – that the SIP commitments related to the Blue Line require the initiation of six‐car train service and all attendant capital improvements (platform lengthening, etc). The MBTA Blue Line modernization program, which will not be complete by the time of the SIP deadline, does not directly relate to desired air quality improvement. Given that, EOT believes that the introduction of six‐car trains during the peak periods meets the SIP requirement for improved transit service and improved air quality. As such, EOT and the MBTA are on track to fulfill the SIP requirement of six‐car train service by December 31, 2008. EOT Office of Transportation Planning July 1, 2008 Page 5 III. FAIRMOUNT LINE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT SIP Requirement Before December 31, 2011, construction of the following facilities shall be completed and opened to full public use: Fairmount Line improvements consisting of enhancements of existing stations including without limitation: platform extensions; improved lighting and improved access; a new station in the general location of Four Corners, and a new station in each of the neighborhoods of Dorchester, Mattapan and Roxbury; and bridge upgrades and other measures to improve service and increase ridership (the Fairmount Line project). EOT shall meet the following interim deadlines for the Fairmount Line Project: A. One year from the effective date of this regulation (December 1, 2006), develop a Request for Proposals for a design consultant, complete the competitive procurement process, and issue a notice to proceed for a design consultant. B. Within two years following completion of the requirements of 310 CMR 7.36 (3)(h)1A (the above section), complete the requirements of 310 CMR 7.36 (3)(e)1‐6 and 310 CMR 7.36(3)(f) (complete final design, apply for all necessary permits and grants, file any required legislation, and initiate all public and private land acquisition). Project Description The 9.2‐mile Fairmount commuter rail line runs from South Station, currently serves four stations (Uphams Corner, Morton Street, Fairmount, and Readville) in the communities of Dorchester, Mattapan, and Hyde Park, and terminates in the Readville section of Boston. The line, which uses right‐of‐way entirely owned by the MBTA, also includes 41 bridges. It is the only commuter rail line that exclusively serves neighborhoods within the City of Boston, but ridership has historically been low and passenger facilities along the line do not meet modern standards. The Fairmount Line Project includes the rehabilitation of the existing Uphams Corner and Morton Street Stations, construction of four new stations – Newmarket, Four Corners, Talbot Avenue, Blue Hill Avenue – reconstruction of six existing railroad bridges (located over Columbia Road, Quincy Street, Massachusetts Avenue, Talbot Avenue, Woodrow Avenue, and the Neponset River), and construction of a new interlocking and upgraded signal system (required to advance the bridge reconstruction work). These upgrades will enhance future service, allowing for increased frequency on the line. Planning Conformity Throughout the life of the project, improvements to the Fairmount Line have been included in all relevant transportation planning documents, including the MBTA Program for Mass Transportation and the Regional Transportation Plan of the Boston Region MPO. EOT Office of Transportation Planning July 1, 2008 Page 6 Project Status Systems The upgrades to the interlocking and signal system have been completed and are currently in use, allowing for the reconstruction of structurally deficient bridges along the Fairmount Line. Bridges A construction contract to replace the Columbia Road, Quincy Street, and Massachusetts Avenue bridges was awarded in October of 2007, with work currently scheduled to be completed in 2010. The Talbot Avenue, Woodrow Avenue, and Neponset River bridges are currently under design and are expected to undergo construction beginning in 2009. Existing Stations The MBTA held a station‐opening at Uphams Corner on January 23, 2007. The reconstruction of Morton Street was celebrated at a station‐opening on July 17, 2007. The new station elements included construction of extended high‐level passenger platforms, accessible walkways, canopies, benches, windscreens, signage, bicycle racks, variable messages signs, lighting, and landscaping. New Stations The MBTA has completed the design of the critical elements (platform elevation and location, covered ramps and sloped rampways, track geometry, and station entrances) at the Four Corners Station. The MBTA is continuing to work with the community to resolve this item. The MBTA anticipates putting the construction package for the Four Corners Station out to bid in the fall of 2008. Currently, the MBTA anticipates completing 30% design for the Talbot Avenue Station by July 2008 and anticipates putting the project out to bid by‐mid summer of 2009. A two‐year construction period is anticipated, with the completion of the station and the bridge by the autumn of 2011. The Newmarket and Blue Hill Avenue Stations will likely be packaged together. The MBTA anticipates completing the 30% design level by August 2008 and anticipates putting the projects out to bid by late summer of 2009. A two year construction period is anticipated, with the completion of both stations expected in the autumn of 2011. Project Funding In August 2007, EOT and the MBTA executed a contract to transfer approximately $39 million in bond funds to pay the costs of signal work, reconstructing three major bridges on EOT Office of Transportation Planning July 1, 2008 Page 7 the line, designing three others, and designing the remaining three new stations. The MBTA and EOT are currently finalizing the cost estimates for the signal, bridge, and station work, and will make any updated information available as soon as it is ready. The other elements of the overall Fairmount Line Improvement Project – those not covered by the SIP – have been funded using a combination of MBTA and federal monies. SIP Requirement Status In August, 2007, the MBTA Board of Directors voted to approve the construction contract for the three bridges (Columbia Road, Quincy Street and Massachusetts Avenue). The current estimated completion date for this group of bridges is the end of 2010. At its meeting in October 2007, the MBTA Board of Directors awarded the design contract for the three remaining stations (all necessary tasks for preliminary engineering through final design for Newmarket, Talbot Avenue, and Blue Hill Avenue Stations), as well as the design for the upgrades to the three additional bridges (Talbot Avenue, Woodrow Avenue, and Neponset River). With these two actions, EOT and the MBTA met the first interim milestone for the Fairmount Line Improvement Project. EOT believes that it is also on track to meet the overall SIP deadline to complete the entire project by December 31, 2011. EOT Office of Transportation Planning July 1, 2008 Page 8 IV. CONSTRUCTION OF 1,000 NEW PARKING SPACES SIP Requirement Before December 31, 2011, construction of the following facilities shall be completed and opened to full public use: 1000 new park and ride parking spaces serving commuter transit facilities, in addition to those required by 310 CMR 7.36(2)(c)3, 310 CMR 7.36(2)(d) [earlier SIP‐related parking commitments], within the 101 cities and towns constituting the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization. EOT is also bound by the following interim deadlines: ƒ On or before 18 months following the effective date of the regulation (December 1, 2006), EOT must develop a request for proposals for a design consultant, complete the competitive procurement process, and issue a notice to proceed. ƒ Within 15 months of the completion of the above requirements, EOT must complete conceptual design and file an Environmental Notification Form. ƒ On or before two years after MEPA’s issuance of a scope for a Draft Environmental Impact Report or a Single Environmental Impact Report, EOT must complete preliminary design and file a DEIR or SEIR. ƒ On or before one year after MEPA’s issuance of a scope for a Final Environmental Impact Report, EOT must file an FEIR. ƒ On or before 18 months after MEPA’s issuance of a certificate on an FEIR or an SEIR, EOT must complete final design, apply for all necessary permits funds and grants, file any required legislation, and initiate all public and private land acquisition. ƒ Upon completion of all of the above milestones, DEP and EOT shall establish a schedule for project construction and deadlines for project completion. Project Description To encourage commuters and other travelers to make use of the public transit network for trips into downtown Boston – and other locations as appropriate – the MBTA will construct 1,000 new parking spaces at MBTA stations within the 101 communities of the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization. Planning Conformity The construction of 1,000 new parking spaces, as explicitly defined in the SIP, has not yet been referenced in regional planning documents such as the MBTA Program of Mass Transportation and the Regional Transportation Plan of the Boston Region MPO due to lack of location‐specific information. However, the construction of new commuter‐oriented EOT Office of Transportation Planning July 1, 2008 Page 9 parking has long been a priority of the MBTA, the Boston Region MPO, and EOT, and has been noted in many planning studies and other materials. As the parking projects described here advance, they will be identified, as appropriate, in the Boston Region Transportation Improvement Program and the Regional Transportation Plan. Project Status Beverly EOT and the MBTA have identified the City of Beverly as a viable location for a 500‐
space parking facility. On June 8, 2008, the MBTA solicited for appropriate parcels in the vicinity of the Beverly commuter rail station for a mixed‐use development to include the parking as well as other uses. Proposals are due on August 8, 2008, and a selection will be made by October 8, 2008. In addition, the MBTA is in the process of identifying other appropriate locations at which to construct the remaining required 500 parking spaces. Potential project locations currently under consideration include Wonderland, Salem, Natick, Rockport, and South Acton, all projects on which some preliminary planning and needs‐assessment has already been done. Wonderland In a cooperative venture, the City of Revere and the MBTA are working to advance a transit oriented development plan at Wonderland Station. This project, when realized, will include the consolidation of approximately 1,500 commuter parking spaces into a parking structure, resulting in approximately 100 additional MBTA spaces. Salem The proposed Salem commuter rail station parking garage will contain approximately 750 spaces in a multi‐level structure to be shared proportionately between the MBTA and the Department of Capital Asset Management (DCAM). Currently, DCAM proposes to contribute $3 million in exchange for the use of 150 spaces to serve the new Essex County Courthouse complex. The project is estimated to cost approximately $22 million. In addition to the $3 million in DCAM funding, the Federal Transit Administration has earmarked $3.6 million for the project. In response to a request from the City of Salem, the MBTA’s design engineering consultant completed two schematic design alternatives for the proposed project. These alternatives were completed and forwarded to the MBTA for internal review on June 27, 2008. Following the MBTA’s review, project staff will forward the analysis to the City of Salem for review and comment. EOT Office of Transportation Planning July 1, 2008 Page 10 Natick In 2007, EOT, in collaboration with the MBTA, completed an alternatives analysis of parking options at Natick’s two commuter rail stations. In a December 2007 meeting, town officials notified EOT that they were prioritizing improvements to parking at the West Natick station. Recent discussions among EOT, the MBTA, and town officials have reaffirmed this commitment, and EOT and the MBTA anticipate receiving formal notification regarding the Town’s parking priorities soon. The MBTA is in the process of identifying the products of a previous preliminary garage design effort at West Natick (undertaken in the early 1990’s) to the approximate 15% completion level. Improvements at West Natick could provide approximately 300 new MBTA parking spaces. Rockport The MBTA Board of Directors recently approved funds to advance design of the Rockport commuter rail station improvement project to the 100% completion level. The estimated budget for completion of the project, including design, construction and property acquisitions, is estimated at $13 million. This estimate will be refined as the project advances. Completion of the Rockport project should result in the addition of approximately 94 parking spaces to the station for a projected net total of 185 spaces. In addition to funding approved by the MBTA for design completion, federal funding totaling $2.5 million was previously earmarked for the project. South Acton MBTA is beginning discussions with officials in South Acton about the possibility of expanding parking at the commuter rail station there. South Acton station, with approximately 700 weekday boardings, is the most heavily used station on the Fitchburg Line. Parking at the site is a 400‐space surface lot that regularly fills in the morning peak period. The concept currently under discussion involves providing a parking deck at the existing lot to expand parking supply by 300‐400 spaces. Project Funding EOT will assist in funding the public costs of the Beverly parking project and will require that the development be completed in time to meet with SIP deadline of December 31, 2011. Funding for the other potential projects will be identified on an individual basis (see above). SIP Requirement Status EOT acknowledges that it has failed to meet the first of the interim milestones required for this element of the SIP. Nevertheless, EOT is continuing to work to achieve the overall construction deadlines identified in the SIP. If that deadline becomes unachievable, EOT will notify DEP and the EOT Office of Transportation Planning July 1, 2008 Page 11 public and will implement any necessary mitigation, as required by the SIP, in a timely manner. In the meantime, EOT is continuing to work with the MBTA and with interested municipalities to advance potential parking projects as quickly as possible. EOT Office of Transportation Planning July 1, 2008 Page 12 V. RED LINE‐BLUE LINE CONNECTOR ‐ DESIGN SIP Requirement Before December 31, 2011, complete final design of Red Line/Blue Line Connector, from the Blue Line at Government Center to the Red Line at Charles Station. Project Description The proposed Red Line/Blue Line Connector – intended to improve mobility and regional transportation access for residents of East Boston and North Shore communities and the residents of Cambridge and the northwestern suburbs, as well as relieve congestion in the central subway – consists of an extension of the MBTA Blue Line under Cambridge Street to the Red Line station at Charles/MGH. As currently envisioned, the project consists of two major components: (1) a new tunnel extending the Blue Line under Cambridge Street from Joy Street to Charles Circle and (2) a new underground Blue Line station connected to the existing Charles/MGH headhouse. The project will also consider whether and how to make use of the existing Bowdoin Station, which will require significant rehabilitation, possibly including the relocation of underground trackage and platforms at Bowdoin Station to eliminate an existing loop‐track. The exact configurations of both the Charles/MGH platform and the new Blue Line station have not been determined. Planning Conformity The concept of the Red Line‐Blue Line connector project has been included in all relevant transportation planning documents, including the MBTA Program for Mass Transportation and the Regional Transportation Plan of the Boston Region MPO. Project Status On September 14, 2007, EOT filed an Expanded Environmental Notification Form with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office. A public scoping session was held on October 17, 2007, and the Secretary of Energy & Environmental Affairs issued a certificate on the project on November 15, 2007. Based on the project scope as defined in the MEPA Certificate, EOT issued a Request for Proposals on March 27, 2008 for a consultant to complete the necessary environmental reviews and engineering for the project. EOT intends to award a consultant contract during the summer of 2008. EOT is responsible for completing the necessary environmental reviews and conceptual engineering for the project. At that point, the effort will be transferred to the MBTA to complete final engineering as required by the SIP. As part of its overall commitment to the SIP as a whole, EOT will ensure that the transition of the project to the MBTA is smooth and that the SIP mandate for final design is met. Project Funding EOT Office of Transportation Planning July 1, 2008 Page 13 The ‘immediate needs’ Transportation Bond Bill of 2007 provided state bond funding for all SIP projects, including the Red Line/Blue Line Connector project. The costs of this project will be supported using funds from that source. SIP Requirement Status By filing an Expanded Environmental Notification Form and soliciting proposals for a design consultant, EOT is advancing the Red Line/Blue Line Connector project. EOT currently believes that it is on track to meet the SIP requirement to complete final design for the Red Line/Blue Line Connector by December 31, 2011 .
EOT Office of Transportation Planning July 1, 2008 Page 14 VI. GREEN LINE EXTENSION TO SOMERVILLE AND MEDFORD SIP Requirement Before December 31, 2014, construction of the following facilities shall be completed and opened to full public use: 1. The Green Line Extension from Lechmere Station to Medford Hillside; 2. The Green Line Union Square spur of the Green Line Extension to Medford Hillside; and ƒ On or before 18 months following the effective date of the regulation (December 1, 2006), EOT must develop a request for proposals for a design consultant, complete the competitive procurement process, and issue a notice to proceed. ƒ Within 15 months of the completion of the above requirements, EOT must complete conceptual design and file an Environmental Notification Form. ƒ On or before two years after MEPA’s issuance of a scope for a Draft Environmental Impact Report or a Single Environmental Impact Report, EOT must complete preliminary design and file a DEIR or SEIR. ƒ On or before one year after MEPA’s issuance of a scope for a Final Environmental Impact Report, EOT must file an FEIR. ƒ On or before 18 months after MEPA’s issuance of a certificate on an FEIR or an SEIR, EOT must complete final design, apply for all necessary permits funds and grants, file any required legislation, and initiate all public and private land acquisition. ƒ Upon completion of all of the above milestones, DEP and EOT shall establish a schedule for project construction and deadlines for project completion. Project Description This project ‐ the purpose of which is to improve corridor mobility, boost transit ridership, improve regional air quality, ensure equitable distribution of transit services, and support opportunities for smart growth initiatives and sustainable development – will extend the Green Line from a relocated Lechmere Station project along the Lowell commuter rail line to Medford and to the vicinity of Union Square in Somerville. Stations are currently proposed to be located in the vicinity of: ƒ College Avenue/Medford Hillside – Located at the intersection of College Avenue and Boston Avenue in Medford, adjacent to Tufts University property. The station platform will be located on the north side of the College Avenue overgrade bridge EOT Office of Transportation Planning July 1, 2008 Page 15 ƒ
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crossing of the MBTA’s Lowell Line commuter rail tracks. Access to the station will be provided from both Boston Avenue and College Avenue. Broadway/Ball Square, Medford/Somerville – Located at the intersection of Broadway and Boston Avenue on the north side of Ball Square (located in both Somerville and Medford). The station platform will be located on the north side of the Broadway overgrade bridge crossing of the MBTA’s Lowell Line commuter rail tracks. Access to the station will be provided from both Boston Avenue and from Broadway. Lowell Street, Somerville – Located at the Lowell Street bridge overgrade crossing of the MBTA’s Lowell Line commuter rail tracks with proposed connections to the future Somerville Community Path. The station platform will be located on the north side of the Lowell Street bridge and access to the station will be provided from Lowell Street. Gilman Square, Somerville – Located in the vicinity of the Medford Street crossing of the MBTA’s Lowell Line commuter rail tracks, behind Somerville’s City Hall, Public Library, and High School. The station platform will be located on the north side of the Medford Street overgrade bridge crossing of the MBTA’s Lowell Line commuter rail tracks. Access to the station will be provided from Medford Street on both the east and west sides of the tracks. Connections to the future Somerville Community Path will be accommodated at this station. Brickbottom, Somerville – Located in the vicinity of Washington and Joy Streets in Somerville’s Inner Belt/Brickbottom area. The station platform will be located south of Washington Street’s undergrade crossing of the MBTA’s Lowell Line commuter rail tracks. Access to the station will be provided via property on Joy Street, with potential access also to occur from the City’s proposed Inner Belt development on the east. Connections to the future Somerville Community Path will be accommodated at this station. Union Square, Somerville – Located east of Prospect Street in the vicinity of Union Square in Somerville. There are currently two potential station configurations and locations being evaluated. The first proposal would locate the station platform within the MBTA’s Fitchburg Line commuter rail right‐of‐way east of Prospect Street. Access to this station would be provided from Prospect Street using elevators, escalators, and stairs. The second proposal would use in‐street running and would locate the station platform along Prospect Street. Access to the platforms and trains would occur at street level. Two terminal station locations are currently being considered on the Medford Hillside Branch of the Green Line Extension project ‐‐ one at College Avenue/Medford Hillside (described above) and one at Mystic Valley Parkway/Route 16. Both of these station sites is being evaluated for its environmental impact on the surrounding areas, including noise, vibration, traffic, air quality, historic/archeological resources, and construction period EOT Office of Transportation Planning July 1, 2008 Page 16 impacts, among others. Additionally, right‐of‐way impacts, costs, and ridership projections are also being estimated in order to best identify the appropriate terminus point for the project. The Green Line Extension will also require the construction of a new light rail maintenance facility in the vicinity of the Green Line Extension. EOT has tentatively proposed a three‐
part parcel known as Yard 8 – in the Brickbottom/Inner Belt area of Somerville – as the only viable location in the project area. EOT is working with the City of Somerville and representatives of the surrounding neighborhoods to address public concerns about the proposed location of the facility and is also working with officials to accommodation prospective new development for the area. Planning Conformity The Green Line Extension project has been included in all relevant transportation planning documents, including the MBTA Program for Mass Transportation and the Regional Transportation Plan of the Boston Region MPO. Project Status The following work has been completed or is currently on‐going in support of the Green Line Extension Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment and conceptual engineering: Public Outreach ƒ Advisory Groups (monthly) – 7 held so far ƒ Station Workshops (February 2008) – 5 held ƒ Interagency meetings (ongoing) – 16 held so far ƒ Public agency and local official briefings (ongoing) – 24 held so far ƒ Institution and business group meetings (ongoing) – 3 held so far ƒ Tutorials (ongoing) – 1 held so far Refinement of alternatives ƒ Completed; refinement of baseline scenarios still underway Development of design criteria ƒ Completed Station location program and siting ƒ Underway Maintenance facility program and siting ƒ Underway EOT Office of Transportation Planning July 1, 2008 Page 17 Design of ‘next generation’ Green Line vehicles ƒ Underway (using funding provide by EOT, the MBTA is seeking consultant services to assist in this effort) Alternatives Analysis ƒ Analysis of existing conditions completed for all items; proposed conditions being developed for each alternative alignment: ƒ Transit operations (Green Line, bus, railroad) ƒ Traffic ƒ Air quality ƒ Noise and vibration ƒ Land use ƒ Wetlands, water quality, stormwater ƒ Hazardous materials ƒ Historic and archeological resources ƒ Parks, recreation, conservation land ƒ Ridership ƒ Planning consistency ƒ Environmental justice Conceptual Engineering ƒ Survey – completed March 2008 ƒ Geotechnical – existing conditions report completed April 2008 Design ƒ On‐going ƒ Track ƒ Signals, communications, power ƒ Structures ƒ Community Path ƒ Utilities, stormwater systems ƒ Maintenance facility ƒ Stations ‐ currently being refined based on public comment Cost Estimates ƒ Underway based on conceptual designs; to be completed July 2008 Construction staging and sequencing plans ƒ To be completed July 2008 EOT Office of Transportation Planning July 1, 2008 Page 18 Real estate requirements ƒ Initial meetings conducted with MBTA The following major milestones are anticipated for the next few months: ƒ Completion of environmental analysis for each alternative alignment – August 2008 ƒ Schematic Design Report – September 2008 ƒ Internal Draft EIR/EA – September 2008 ƒ Filing of EIR/EA with MEPA – October 2008 ƒ FTA New Starts Application – Autumn 2008 Project Funding EOT intends to pursue federal funding – through the competitive New Starts program managed by the Federal Transit Administration – for the Green Line Extension. If the project is successful in receiving New Starts funding, the Commonwealth will use state bond funds to pay for any segment of the project not funded with New Starts (or other non‐
Commonwealth) funds. Should the project not be successful in the New Starts application process, the Commonwealth has committed to fully fund all project costs using state bonds. SIP Requirement Status By filing an Expanded Environmental Notification Form and soliciting proposals for a design consultant, EOT has met the first two interim milestones associated with the Green Line Extension project. EOT is preparing to complete a Draft Environmental Impact Report and conceptual engineering by the autumn of 2008, which will allow for the meeting of the third interim milestone. EOT currently believes that it is also on track to meet the remaining interim milestones and the overall SIP requirement to open the Green Line for public use on December 31, 2014. EOT Office of Transportation Planning July 1, 2008 Page 19