(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.) Somerville got to enjoy a little Christmas in May this week when the Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced it chose the city's preferred location for the new Green Line maintenance facility. | |||
Trolley maintenance may not at first seem like the makings of an exciting holiday gift, but the state's decision signifies two extremely important takeaways for this city: 1) The Green Line extension is going to happen in the relatively near future, and 2) Somerville residents are being heard loud and clear when it comes to major decisions made concerning the extension.
A lot of pieces have to come together before the Green Line begins traveling into our city. The details are not trivial when it comes to major transportation projects and the maintenance facility presented a potential bottleneck. Without a place to service its trolley cars, the MBTA would be looking at a logistical nightmare along the extended portion of the line. Had this decision bogged down everything else could have ground to a halt.
And the state's initial location choices would have placed the maintenance facility right next to Brickbottom residents. The city advocated for better alternatives, including option L.
Only thanks to a concerted effort along with Brickbottom residents, Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston, and other members of the board, Congressman Michael Capuano and our State delegation were we able to make our case to MassDOT. This is an important victory for Somerville because when a project this big starts to go off the rails, it can take a massive effort to get it back on the right track.
Now we move onto environmental impact review for the maintenance facility and, before the end of the year, station design meetings with the community. The thoughtful, constructive input we received on where to locate the maintenance facility will be needed every step along the way. The goal is that in 2014 the Green Line extension opens in our city incorporating every good idea Somerville had to offer.
We have momentum on our side. Mass transit in Somerville is no longer the stuff of science fiction, like time travel and flying cars. The Green Line extension is coming together. It will mean that 85 percent of our residents will live within half a mile of mass transit. It will mean the completion of the Community Path across the heart of our city.
Also, the Option L decision from the state will open up redevelopment possibilities in the city's Inner Belt. The opportunity to transform a large section of industrial land use lies within our grasp.
The news from MassDOT reminds us that the future of Somerville is taking place right now. In the next five years, this city is going to undergo a transformation. Our challenge is to make sure it's a transformation for the better. This week we took an important step in that direction.
Comments