According to the Medford
Green Line Neighborhood Alliance (MGNA), by extending the Green Line to
Route 16, 9,000 additional residents will have direct access to rapid
transit. This will undoubtedly be a landmark action on behalf of the
commuter population of Medford. If this estimate is correct, that would
mean a potential 9,000 less people and however many cars that
translates to off the roads during rush hour. In addition, if received
by these potential customers in a desirable way, that could mean that
much more money going back into the MTA's budget.

The original
terminus of this project was going to be Ball Square/Tufts University
to Medford Hillside. This changed last Wednesday when the
Transportation Secretary James Aloisi, Jr. recommended that the Green
Line be expanded to the Route 16 terminus, pending federal funding.
This alternate plan of action came at the heels of an in depth public
planning process on behalf of the EOT. This change, they believe, will
meet their goals of public input, environmental impacts, costs and
rider ship.

The transit aficionado Aloisi went on the record
last Wednesday, stating that: "While we expect that this alternative
will qualify for federal funding, the decision to extend to Route 16 is
contingent upon federal participation." So, this plan is heavily
dependent on probably the chanciest matter on the table these days: the
gathering of Federal Funds.

Aloisi also explained how "Extending
the Green Line terminus to Mystic Valley Parkway will bring rapid
transit service to East Cambridge, Somerville and Medford neighborhoods
that have waited a long time for rail transit," said Aloisi. "The Green
Line Extension will advance community plans for smart growth and urban
redevelopment and provide environmental justice communities with faster
rides to jobs and destinations. EOT is very pleased to advance this
project and we will continue to work with local officials to make it
very successful."

The project is expected by the EOT to be
completed by sometime in 2014. The Conservation Law Foundation
commended the Patrick Administrations decision to go through with this,
and expressed their excitement to help the cause along and ensure that
it will be built on time and that it will meet the air quality targets
which are required under law.

Carrie Russell, the staff attorney
of The Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) stated that "the announcement
by the EOT illustrates that the state is striving to fully realize the
promise it made to the residents of Massachusetts to reduce air
pollution and improve access to rapid transit."

This all began
in 2006, when the CLF settled a renewed Boston transit lawsuit which
committed the State Government to a rigid timeline in which this
particular project would have to legally follow. Then, in 2007 the
Patrick Administration made a legal promise to the residents of the
Commonwealth that this measure would be taken, along with others, to
meet the air quality requirements.

The CLF has been incredibly
active since it was founded in 1966 in order to fight the development
of ski slopes on Mt. Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts. They
have fought to prevent major environmental hardships, such as the
blocking of multiple highways constructions that would have impeded on
particular regions of New England like Rhode Island and New Hampshire.
The Rhode Island highway case in 1988 was particularly important,
because it was the first example of citizens' rights to sue to enforce
the Clean Air Act's transportation planning requirements.

The
CLF has exhibited a much-needed short leash on both the State
Government of the Commonwealth and the National Government, in a much
less officious fashion than other Environmental Groups.