How long is long enough?
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By Leland Cheung
Cambridge City Councilor

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

First proposed in 1990, a quarter century has passed since the Green Line Extension (GLX) from Cambridge through Somerville and Medford was first proposed. Four decades to go four miles is a pretty pitiful pace, even by Beacon Hill standards.

The GLX is more than a ride to work; it is the way forward for our region. Collectively, our communities, Cambridge, Medford, and Somerville stand to gain millions, if not billions, in economic benefit. The GLX would provide transit for tens of thousands of people. It would take cars off the road, helping the environment and mitigating our insufferable traffic. The GLX would help address the housing crisis by putting beautiful homes and neighborhoods within reach of the T.

Last week, Secretary Pollack spoke to the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce and I had the opportunity to ask her about the fate of the Green Line Extension. Pollack’s concerns – as someone who, working with the Conservation Law Foundation in 1990, was crucial in convincing the state to commit to the GLX, were deeply unsettling.

It is incredibly alarming to see someone as credible as Secretary Pollack buckling under political pressure and budgetary constraints. Escalating rhetoric coming from MassDOT and the MBTA indicates that they are seriously considering scrapping the project, despite the fact that our communities have been basing their development plans on the assumed extension.

This is a failure of leadership at all levels. The entire process has been riddled from the beginning with poor budgeting practices, recently compounded by the artificially high prices set by predetermined construction firms. This process needs to be reevaluated, with more legislative oversight and engagement.

The MBTA is now wagging the threat of cancellation over our heads; we need to come together to demonstrate our commitment to the project. If you live in Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, or a surrounding community, please take the time to attend one of the community meetings hosted by the MBTA, listed below.

While pursuing my MBA at MIT Sloan, as part of a class project on budgeting, I chose to evaluate the finances of the MBTA. Our conclusion: the MBTA was staring down the barrel of a classic death spiral – cutting services, cutting options, resulting in less ridership and revenue. But public transit isn’t simply a line item in the budget; it is the real world manifestation of our collective investment in ourselves. If we want more people out of cars and on the T, we need to invest in the infrastructure that moves you from A to B.

As Congressman Capuano rightly pointed out, abandoning the GLX means walking away from a billion dollars in federal funding. The federal government isn’t willing to invest in this crucial project simply for the sake of our convenience, or because of the environment benefit, or because they had extra money to spare; but because it will help fuel the economic engine that drives the entire Commonwealth, and our Country.

Now is the time for our communities to come together, work together, and to fight for our future. I urge you to attend one of the public hearings hosted by the MBTA and MassDOT in the coming months listed below. Let the state know that this investment in our Common Wealth is long overdue.

Wednesday, March 2, 5:30, Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue, Somerville.

Wednesday, March 23, 5:30, Tufts University, 51 Winthrop Street, Medford.

Wednesday, April 13, 5:30, Argenziano School, 290 Washington Street, Somerville.

Wednesday, April 27, 5:30, St. Anthony’s Parish Hall, 400 Cardinal Medeiros Avenue, Cambridge.

Thursday, May 5, 5:30, St. Clement’s Parish Hall, 579 Boston Avenue, Medford.