Inch by inch, mile by mile, the GLX preparations roll on.

Phase 1 could start by year’s end

By Andrew Firestone

After years of delays, false starts, lawsuits and strong language by local politicians and activists, the Green Line Extension appears to be nearing a reality, at least in terms of starting construction.

The first phase, which does not include any stations coming in for at least 18 months, will deal with site preparation and reworking two bridges. The bridges are at Medford St. in Somerville and the rail bridge over Harvard St. in Medford. The tire factory in Cambridge at 21 Water St. will be demolished, and Lechmere station, long the final stop of the Green Line inbound, will be rebuilt.

The price tag for the work will be $20 million, raised from Commonwealth bonds approved by Gov. Deval Patrick earlier this summer.

While members of the Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership (STEP), the activist group responsible for pushing the GLX for the last several years, have expressed gratitude for the advancement in the project, there are still many questions that need to be asked.

The GLX design remains void of a full extension to Medford’s border at Rt. 16. This has caused some questions from local residents as well as the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) regarding whether it fits with the court-mandated build-out to “Medford Hillside” as described in the State Implementation Plan.

Likewise, the MBTA recently revealed a $161 million operating deficit. Their proposal for fare hikes and service cuts was met with disappointment and outrage by the public. Likewise Transportation Secretary Richard Davey has repeatedly said he plans that Federal funds will be relied upon for the project. However, no grants have been announced, and Congressman Mike Capuano has said that he does not believe the MBTA/MassDOT can demonstrate the fiscal stability necessary for receiving such grants.

As it stands, the Metropolitan Planning Organization has approved the full build out in their long-term transportation plans, with the $1.1 billion set to be completed by 2020. But the $25 million set out to bond does not come close to covering this expense.

This does not imply that the GLX, which has been in the works for over 20 years is not progressing, and will not progress. However, with the inclusion of multi-modal stations in existing commuter rail lines into the argument by Capuano, and debt appearing to be a major factor in the delay, the fate of the full build-out of the GLX remains in limbo.