MBTA Green Line Extension

The MBTA Green Line Extension (GLX) is one of the most significant public transportation infrastructure projects in the Boston metropolitan area in recent years. This ambitious initiative aims to extend the Green Line, one of the busiest and most iconic subway lines in the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) network, further into the northern suburbs of Boston, primarily serving Somerville and Medford.

The project includes the construction of new tracks and stations that will extend the Green Line's reach from its current terminus at Lechmere station in Cambridge to new stations in the cities of Somerville and Medford. These additions are expected to greatly reduce travel times for residents in these areas who previously relied on buses or private vehicles for commuting into Boston. The extension includes seven new stations: Gilman Square, Union Square, East Somerville, Washington Street, Ball Square, Mystic Valley Parkway, and Medford/Tufts. The extended line will also improve accessibility to the subway for a growing population in these neighborhoods and alleviate traffic congestion along major roadways.

The project is designed to improve mobility and expand access to jobs, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. One of the key benefits is that the extension is projected to enhance equity by providing better public transit options to communities that have historically been underserved, particularly in Somerville and Medford, which have seen significant population growth and development in recent years. Additionally, the Green Line Extension aims to reduce the region’s carbon footprint by offering a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to car travel.

The GLX project was initially approved in 2015 but has faced a series of delays, cost overruns, and challenges related to construction, permitting, and funding. Despite these hurdles, the extension is now nearing completion, with expectations that it will be operational in 2024. Once finished, the Green Line Extension will be a vital part of Boston’s public transportation system, improving connectivity and making it easier for residents of Somerville and Medford to commute into the heart of the city. It also represents a significant investment in the future of urban planning and transit-oriented development in the region.