Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation

Green Line Extension Construction, Public Meeting

The Green Line Extension Project Phase I work is underway, including utility work and excavation support work, left, northeast of Harvard Street Bridge in Medford.

The Green Line Extension Project Design Working Group is holding a Public Open House:

Thursday, May 9, 5:00pm - 7:00pm, GLX Project Office, 100 Summer Street, 2nd Floor, Boston

The Green Line Extension project is an initiative of MassDOT and the MBTA.  This important project will extend existing MBTA Green Line service from a relocated Lechmere Station in East Cambridge to Union Square in Somerville and College Avenue in Medford.

Phase 1 work includes the following:

    * Reconstruct and widen the Harvard Street Rail Bridge in Medford
    * Widen the Medford Street Rail Bridge in Somerville
    * Demolish 21 Water Street in Cambridge for construction of the new Lechmere Station in Phase 2/2A
    * Construct retaining walls and noise walls adjacent to the Harvard Street Rail Bridge
    * Relocate MBTA Commuter Rail tracks in the Harvard Street Rail Bridge area
    * Upgrade and replace existing storm drain system between Harvard Street and Granville Avenue

The Phase 1 project completion is scheduled for March, 2015.

Secretary Davey: The Time to Act Decisively is Now

Posted by Richard A. Davey, MassDOT Secretary & Chief Executive Officer

The Pioneer Institute’s Jim Stergios has one fundamental point exactly right in his opinion article, “Lots of Art, Little Science in Transportation Plan.”  In his words: “let’s be clear that we do need new revenue for transportation and infrastructure.”  He may also be right about one other thing: my presentation skills in outlining MassDOT’s The Way Forward: A 21st-Century Transportation Plan, are no match for the “magic of Steve Jobs”! 

But I believe he misses the mark about the necessity of the proposals outlined in that presentation and our plan’s promise to revitalize our transportation system delivery across the Commonwealth- and jump start our state’s economy and create thousands of jobs in the process. 

The facts are that despite assertions to the contrary:

Reform is happening: We have successfully undertaken a multi-year, “full” reform effort in transportation.  From the elimination of “23 and out” at the MBTA to transitioning employees into the Group Insurance Commission, tangible reforms have saved taxpayers over $500m to date.  And, as we stated in our report, reform is not done.  A number of initiatives, from mobile ticketing on the T to introduction of all electronic tolling are underway or coming soon. And, we welcome more ideas on how to reduce our cost structure and improve the customer experience.

More transparency than ever: We have emphasized transparency in our dealings with our customers and provided meaningful information about service delivery and the state of our finances. Indeed, we sought out and specifically briefed the Pioneer Institute as we developed our new metrics and scorecard for your thoughts and advice. The MBTA’s scorecard, the DOT quarterly scorecard and our Accelerated Bridge Program scorecards are all available on our website.  The RMV discusses its monthly performance at every MassDOT Board meeting.  We held a public accountability meeting in Worcester to discuss the metrics, and have committed to holding such a meeting on a quarterly basis.  Granted, this information is spread out, so we are consolidating this information so it is more user friendly.

Transparency goes beyond scorecards though.  We have also opened up our MBTA operations center and other facilities to the public and publish weekly online our maintenance activities in the Central Artery and our Tunnels. Most importantly, we’ve engaged our customers directly.  In the last year, we’ve held over 100 public meetings and hearings across the state regarding T service/fare hikes, highway and transit project updates or our regular monthly Board meetings where public comment is invited.

Maintain what we have:  Our plan prioritizes maintenance of our current transportation system even as we advocate for critical projects statewide that are not the “same old” projects but rather long-discussed, necessary steps to ensure a bright future for our state.  Over 70% of the 10 year capital program in the Way Forward Plan is directed to investments in current roads, bridges, airports and rail infrastructure, and purchases new buses, trains and trolleys to replace the decades old fleet at the T and the RTAs.  On the operations side, we end the ludicrous practice of borrowing to pay for highway operations, provide much needed debt relief to the MBTA so current operations are maintained and appropriately fund the 15 Regional Transit Authorities for expanded bus service.

And yes, we will invest in targeted expansion that delivers new transportation services from Boston to Springfield, from the Berkshires to the South Coast, all projects long identified as critical to create jobs and economic development for the long-term benefit of the Commonwealth.  We fundamentally believe that more mobility options in every corner of the state is key to catalyzing economic activity.

We have also been open about the need to confront the increasing funding gap first identified- with the Pioneer Institute’s acknowledgment- in the 2007 Transportation Finance Commission report that identified a $19 billion gap in needed funds for maintenance of our transportation system over 20 years. We spoke with more than 7,000 members of the public, elected officials, business leaders and transportation stakeholders over the last year in more than 50 meetings across the state and heard their needs and concerns about our roads, our bridges, our buses, trains and bikeways. What we learned is that we have a problem most businesses would love to have – our customers want MORE of our services, not LESS.  

The question before us is clear.  How do we deliver the improved transportation services our customers demand?  The answers are found not in the inadequate steps mentioned by the Pioneer Institute. 

Rather than “lots of art, little science,” our 21st-century Plan is thoughtfully constructed and based on facts about transportation we have known for years- about our huge funding gap, our deferred maintenance, our absurd reliance on debt to pay for operations and the need for equitable transportation services in communities across our state. 

I look forward to our continuing conversation about the way forward, but the time to act decisively is now. 

MassDOT Releases 21st Century Transportation Plan

The MassDOT Board and Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey today announced a plan for the next generation of transportation investment in the Commonwealth: The Way Forward: A 21st Century Transportation Plan.

The long-term financing plan shows that the state needs $684 million to operate the same system we have today. The plan calls for an additional investment in our transportation assets of $5.2 billion over ten years in road and highway repair in order to reduce the number of structurally deficient bridges and ease congestion on major arteries throughout the state; $3.8 billion to invest in existing transit services; and $275 million for Registry and airport maintenance.  These investments responsibly maintain the current transportation assets we have today.

In addition, the plan identifies a number of high-impact transportation projects across Massachusetts that, if built, will create thousands of jobs and spur economic development across the Commonwealth. In all, the plan identifies a $1.02 billion average additional need each year to create a 21st-Century transportation network.

“The plan released today is a stark, clear-eyed, non-partisan presentation of the facts,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “If we are serious about improving our transportation system for a generation, then we have to be willing to make the necessary investments. We must invest in transportation, not for the sake of transportation itself, but for the jobs and economic opportunity it creates.”

“Transportation is the enabling network of our economy, creating and supporting jobs in all regions of the Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray.  “The MassDOT Board has outlined how far we've come and how far we have to go to ensure a safe, reliable and regionally equitable transportation network.  Now we all need to work together to make this vision a reality.”

The plan addresses systemic budget deficits at the MBTA, MassDOT and the 15 Regional Transit Authorities, much of which has been caused by the debt burden related to the Central Artery.

“We have spent the last year engaging our customers, the business community and various stakeholders in a conversation about what kind of transportation system they want,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey. “What is clear is that we can’t afford the system we have today, much less the system we all want. This plan clearly articulates our vision for a 21st-Century Transportation system and the steps we must take to achieves that.”

Additional operating needs include:

MassDOT - $371 million in FY14; $4.4 billion over 10 years

The proposed new funding will allow MassDOT to end the decades-long practice of funding operating costs – personnel, rent, utilities, lawn mowing, etc – with borrowed funds. Currently, for every dollar MassDOT spends today on these items, it pays $1.76 in principal and interest costs. Appropriately paying for these items with operating funds will save the Commonwealth money over time and free up capital dollars to invest in infrastructure improvements.

The additional funding will also allow MassDOT to sufficiently fund its snow and ice operations at an appropriate level based on the average five-year cost and support and maintain its new capital investments.

Regional Transit Authorities -- $100 million in FY14; $1.1 billion over 10 years

This additional investment will allow the RTA’s to end the practice of borrowing, with interest costs, to fund annual operating costs by instead forward-funding each agency. Beginning in FY15, the additional $100 million will be used to expand RTA service by adding hours of operation, increasing frequency on existing routes and adding new service.

MBTA - $166 million in FY14; $3.2 billion over 10 years

This new investment will allow the MBTA to close its current and projected budget deficits, much of which is caused by the debt burden related to the Central Artery public transit commitments. Beginning in FY2014, $25 million in annual operating funds will also be available to provide modest service enhancements such as possibly expanding evening hours, restoring weekend service in areas that have been cut and improved customer service.

In addition to responsibly paying for our daily operations, the 21st-Century Plan calls for a $13 billion infusion of capital investment funds. These funds, which would supplement the Administration’s current capital investment plans, will allow MassDOT to address a backlog of deferred maintenance and improve current assets in order to reduce congestion on our roads, curb delays and minimize crowding on our trains and buses and improve customer service at our facilities.

In 2007, the Transportation Finance Commission issued a report pegging our maintenance funding gap at $15 billion to $19 billion over 20 years. The investment proposed in the 21st-Century Plan is an aggressive plan to eliminate that backlog.

The list of investments over 10 years is available after the break.

Green Line Extension Phase 1 Construction Begins

Governor Deval Patrick today celebrated the start of phase one of construction to extend the MBTA’s Green Line into the cities of Medford and Somerville.

“Today, we’re here to reaffirm our commitment to seeing this project get under way,” said Governor Patrick. “For the residents of Somerville and Medford, the Green Line extension means expanded employment opportunity, housing opportunity and recreational opportunity. This project is about more than transportation. It’s about growth.”

Phase one of the Green Line Extension is a $12.9 million effort to reconstruct two railroad bridges in Medford and Somerville to accommodate new Green Line tracks.  In addition, under the contract, a building in the city of Cambridge will be demolished to clear the path from extending the tracks from Lechmere Station.

On June 11, 2012, MassDOT received notification from the Federal Transit Administration that its application to enter the preliminary engineering phase of the project for the New Starts Program was approved.  This approval puts the Green Line Extension project into a position where by it can compete for funding to finance approximately half the project’s total cost.

“This project is a long time coming, and we’re grateful to all of the advocates who have kept this project in the forefront of our minds,” said Secretary Davey.  “We’re excited that work along this corridor is taking a major step forward and we look forward to continue making progress.”
 
The project contractor is Barletta Heavy Division.  Phase I includes reconstructing the Harvard Street Bridge in Medford and the Medford Street Bridge in Somerville.  Harvard Street Bridge reconstruction will begin this month; Medford Street Bridge reconstruction will begin in the spring 2013.  Demolition of the building located at 21 Water Street in Cambridge will occur later in 2013.  The overall project is expected to cost $1.12 billion.

Green Line Extension Meeting: November 15

The Green Line Extension Project Team has scheduled a Design Working Group meeting as follows:

Thursday, November 15, 6:00-8:00pm, 51 Winthrop Street, Medford

The meeting will introduce the new preliminary engineering and final design team, as well update the committee on progress on the FTA New Start application and the schedule moving forward.

The building can be reached via MBTA bus routes 80, 94, and 96. Parking is available on Boston Avenue along Capen Street Extension, in the Dowling Parking Garage and surface lots near Miller Hall and Hill Hall (Tufts University buildings). Accessible parking is available next to the building. If you need access or language accommodations to fully participate in this meeting, please contact Karen Arpino-Shaffer at 617-426-9570 ext. 114 or info@glxinfo.comat least one week before the event.

More information about the project is available on the Green Line Extension website at: www.mass.gov/greenlineextension.

As always, if you have any questions on the Green line Extension Project, you can email us at info@glxinfo.com.

Green Line Extension: Environmental Approval

MassDOT and the MBTA this week received full federal environmental approval for the Green Line Extension project, a major milestone for the project. 

The Federal Transit Administration released a Finding of No Significant Impact for the project, reaffirming its myriad environmental, mobility, economic development, and community-building benefits.  Federal environmental clearance is the culmination of several years of technical work done by MassDOT and the MBTA with close cooperation from the Cities of Cambridge, Somerville, and Medford, as well as the participation of hundreds of individuals and local organizations. 

The Finding of No Significant Impact is available on the Green Line Extension project website.

The release of the Finding of No Significant Impact was preceded by preliminary approval for federal funding to support the construction of the Green Line Extension.  MassDOT and the MBTA are applying for ‘New Starts’ monies from the Federal Transit Administration to fund approximately one-half of the full costs of the engineering and construction of the Green Line Extension project.  The New Starts program is one of the most competitive funding programs in the nation, and MassDOT and the MBTA have spent four years preparing application materials in support of the Green Line Extension. 

The MBTA now may be able to seek reimbursement from the Federal Transit Administration for Green Line Extension project costs.  Final authority to seek New Starts program reimbursements requires successfully competing against other public transit projects.  That requires the Green Line Extension project to clear three additional hurdles – FTA approval for entry into Final Design and then approval for Construction, followed by the execution of a Full Funding Grant Agreement.  MassDOT and the MBTA are committed to continuing to work towards that goal.

Green Line Extension Update

Potential interim offset mitigation measures to compensate for delays in implementing the Green Line Extension project have now been posted to the Green Line Extension website under 'Hot Documents' at http://www.greenlineextension.org/documents.html.

Such measures are required by 310 CMR 7.36: Transit System Improvements, which governs the implementation of the transportation projects identified in the State Implementation Plan. The mitigation measures include ideas generated by MassDOT staff and also ideas submitted to MassDOT by project stakeholders, elected officials, and members of the general public.

The types of potential mitigation measures include operational improvements to the existing MBTA bus and rapid transit system, the introduction of new bus and rapid transit services, the construction of new MBTA stations and other transportation facilities (including multiuse paths), and policy and programmatic initiatives aimed at reducing vehicular travel and improving regional air quality.

MassDOT is seeking public input on the matrix of potential interim offset mitigation measures. Please submit any comments to planning@state.ma.us by Monday, July 16, 2012. All comments will help to inform the development of the final portfolio of measures to propose to the Department of Environmental Protection.  More information is available after the break.

Green Line Extension Public Meeting Set

The Green Line Extension Project Team will hold a public meeting to review the latest design plans for retaining walls and noise walls along the corridor.

The construction of the Green Line will require the widening of the existing rail corridor which will include the construction of more than 25,000 linear feet of retaining walls and noise walls. This meeting will be the first in a series of meetings to provide general information on wall types, heights and where these wall types may be proposed along the corridor.

The meeting will be held Tuesday, May 22, 6:00-8:00pm, at the Holiday Inn Hotel Somerville, 30 Washington Street.

If you need access or language accommodations to fully participate in this public meeting, please contact Karen Arpino-Shaffer at 617-426-9570 or kshaffer@gilbaneco.com at least one week before the event.

More information about the project is available on the Green Line Extension website at: www.mass.gov/greenlineextension.

As always, if you have any questions on the Green Line Extension Project, you can email us at info@glxinfo.com.

Green Line Extension Public Meeting

The Green Line Extension Project Team will hold a public meeting to review the latest design plan for Ball Square & College Avenue Stations. The meeting will be held at the following time and location:

Wednesday, March 21, 6:00-8:00 PM, Medford City Hall, City Council Chambers, 85 George P. Hassett Drive

If you need access or language accommodations to fully participate in this public meeting, please contact Beverley Johnson at 617-438-2767 or bjohnson@bevcoassociates.comcastbiz.net at least one week before the event.

More information about the project is available on the Green Line Extension website at: www.mass.gov/greenlineextension.

As always, if you have any questions on the Green Line Extension Project, you can email us at info@glxinfo.com.

Green Line Extension Public Meeting

A Green Line Extension Project public meeting is scheduled to review the latest design plans for Gilman Square & Lowell Street Stations.

The meeting will be held as follows:

 

Wednesday, March 7, 6:00-8:00 PM, Somerville High School Auditorium, 81 Highland Avenue

If you need access or language accommodations to fully participate in the public meeting, please contact Beverley Johnson at 617-438-2767 or bjohnson@bevcoassociates.comcastbiz.net at least one week prior to the meeting.

More information about the project is available on the Green Line Extension website at: www.mass.gov/greenlineextension.

You are invited to e-mail any questions on the Green Line Extension Project to info@glxinfo.com.