The Final Environmental Impact Report for the Green Line Extension has been released, and the state is still planning to end the line at College Ave instead of going all the way to Route 16. Please sign the letter at www.informedreaders.com/greenline/feir.html to support the Route 16 station.
If you want to send further comments on the FEIR, send them to Holly.S.Johnson@state.ma.us by July 23. As examples, take a look at the letter from the East Arlington Livable Streets Coalition and the talking points about the FEIR from Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership.
If we all speak up, we can make this happen. The state agreed to build the Green Line maintenance facility in a better location because enough people spoke up. After you sign the letter, tell your friends!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Community-led station designs
The station design workshops held a few weeks ago led to some fantastic ideas about how to connect each of the stations to their neighborhoods. Here’s an example from the Route 16 station group:
Connections to the Green Line stations are vitally important to their success. How will we walk to the stations from all sides? Where will connecting bus stops be? Where will cars drop off passengers? How will we connect the station to neighboring businesses?
You need to be part of this conversation. Come to the Green Line open house on Saturday, June 12th from 10am-3pm at the Argenziano School, 290 Washington Street, Somerville—the Route 16 station we all hope for will be discussed from 1:30 to 2pm.
Connections to the Green Line stations are vitally important to their success. How will we walk to the stations from all sides? Where will connecting bus stops be? Where will cars drop off passengers? How will we connect the station to neighboring businesses?
You need to be part of this conversation. Come to the Green Line open house on Saturday, June 12th from 10am-3pm at the Argenziano School, 290 Washington Street, Somerville—the Route 16 station we all hope for will be discussed from 1:30 to 2pm.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Help design the new Green Line stations
You can have a voice in how well the new Green Line stations work! The Green Line Community Corridor Planning Project of Somerville is holding a three-part station design workshop starting on May 21. Teams of professional planners, designers, and local residents will discuss each of the new Green Line stations, including the one we want at Route 16. Be part of the discussion.
Do you want the station near you to fit into your neighborhood? Do you want it to be safe and attractive? Do you want it to be easy to use? Here's a chance to lend your expertise as someone who lives here.
For an overview, see Groundwork Somerville's site. You can also visit STEP's site for more details about the May 21 orientation, the May 22 intensive workshops on each individual station, and the June 2 final presentations. These Community Corridor Planning workshops will involve conversation and progress towards useful station designs.
Do you want the station near you to fit into your neighborhood? Do you want it to be safe and attractive? Do you want it to be easy to use? Here's a chance to lend your expertise as someone who lives here.
For an overview, see Groundwork Somerville's site. You can also visit STEP's site for more details about the May 21 orientation, the May 22 intensive workshops on each individual station, and the June 2 final presentations. These Community Corridor Planning workshops will involve conversation and progress towards useful station designs.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
MassDOT blames Medford
Are you wondering why MassDOT is refusing to seek federal funding for the Route 16 stop? MassDOT lays the blame squarely at the feet of Medford City Hall.
Dozens of people have sent e-mail to Mayor McGlynn and the Medford City Council over the past several weeks in support of the Route 16 stop. That e-mail says:
Please do everything you can to make the state complete the Green Line Extension to Route 16 as quickly as possible.
Here’s the response so far from our local government:
Nothing.
The Medford City Council and Mayor McGlynn hope we won’t notice their silence.
MassDOT doesn’t understand how deep the disconnect is between Medford Hillside residents and Medford’s government.
Medford City Hall is committed to avoiding this issue. We cannot let that continue. Send an e-mail, tell a friend, and let’s build our volume to a level that Mayor McGlynn and Medford’s City Council cannot ignore.
Dozens of people have sent e-mail to Mayor McGlynn and the Medford City Council over the past several weeks in support of the Route 16 stop. That e-mail says:
Please do everything you can to make the state complete the Green Line Extension to Route 16 as quickly as possible.
Here’s the response so far from our local government:
Nothing.
The Medford City Council and Mayor McGlynn hope we won’t notice their silence.
MassDOT doesn’t understand how deep the disconnect is between Medford Hillside residents and Medford’s government.
Medford City Hall is committed to avoiding this issue. We cannot let that continue. Send an e-mail, tell a friend, and let’s build our volume to a level that Mayor McGlynn and Medford’s City Council cannot ignore.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Terminus at College Avenue? Just say no!
We know that there will be a Green Line station at College Avenue. Will the College Avenue station be a regular station, or will it be a terminus? The answer makes a huge difference to our neighborhood.
If the Green Line ends at College Avenue, the station will be a terminus. We gain nothing by having the College Avenue station as a terminus instead of a regular station, but it’s clear that our neighborhood will suffer. A terminus means a much longer platform, more tracks, Green Line trains idling and switching tracks, more car traffic on Boston Avenue and on College Avenue, more air pollution near the College Avenue station and throughout Medford Hillside, and more trees removed between Burget Avenue and the tracks.
Terminus station requirements
A regular Green Line station platform only needs to be 225 feet long, but a Green Line terminus platform needs to be twice as long: 450 feet. A regular station only needs two tracks for the Green Line, but a terminus needs extra tracks for storing disabled trains and crossovers so trains can move between the tracks. Which would you rather have behind your home?
Extending the platform and adding tracks and crossovers for a terminus at College Avenue expands the land requirements for the Green Line at College Avenue. More land will be used for tracks and platforms, more trees will be chopped down, and we’ll have more noise and vibration. That also pushes the commuter rail trains closer to the homes on Burget Avenue, and nobody wants that. It gets even worse if the longer platform forces a worse curve for the commuter rail tracks behind Burget Avenue, because particulate pollution from diesel commuter rail trains is as much as 10 times worse when they cannot maintain a steady speed.
If the terminus is at Route 16, the longer terminus platform and added trackwork will be in place of the U-Haul building on Boston Avenue instead of behind our homes.
Car traffic
There won’t be parking at the terminus, but there will be cars dropping off and picking up passengers at the terminus. There’s no good place to do that at College Avenue, and there’s no good way for cars to turn around at College Avenue. We’ll have more traffic congestion throughout Medford Hillside and near the College Avenue station, which means more air pollution. And our roads and crosswalks will be less safe.
There’s space at Route 16 for cars to drop off and pick up passengers, turn around, and keep that traffic out of Medford Hillside and away from the College Avenue station.
An interim terminus?
The state claims that the College Avenue station will only be a terminus until they get around to building the section to Route 16 in a second phase. Even if the second phase is built, we’ll still have to live for years with College Avenue as a terminus.
Building the College Avenue as a terminus instead of as a regular station causes irreversible damage to our neighborhood. Suppose they build College Avenue as a terminus in 2014, and then later extend the Green Line to Route 16. Even though College Avenue would no longer be a terminus at that point, they are not going to tear out the extra trackwork, remove half the platform, shift the Green Line and commuter rail tracks away from the homes on Burget Avenue, shift the noise barriers away from the homes on Burget Avenue, and replace all the extra trees they chopped down. Irreversible damage for a temporary terminus? No thanks.
The only solution
We have to build the Green Line all the way to Route 16 as one project if we’re going to avoid the damage to the neighborhood around College Avenue. The terminus belongs at Route 16, not at College Avenue.
If the Green Line ends at College Avenue, the station will be a terminus. We gain nothing by having the College Avenue station as a terminus instead of a regular station, but it’s clear that our neighborhood will suffer. A terminus means a much longer platform, more tracks, Green Line trains idling and switching tracks, more car traffic on Boston Avenue and on College Avenue, more air pollution near the College Avenue station and throughout Medford Hillside, and more trees removed between Burget Avenue and the tracks.
Terminus station requirements
A regular Green Line station platform only needs to be 225 feet long, but a Green Line terminus platform needs to be twice as long: 450 feet. A regular station only needs two tracks for the Green Line, but a terminus needs extra tracks for storing disabled trains and crossovers so trains can move between the tracks. Which would you rather have behind your home?
Extending the platform and adding tracks and crossovers for a terminus at College Avenue expands the land requirements for the Green Line at College Avenue. More land will be used for tracks and platforms, more trees will be chopped down, and we’ll have more noise and vibration. That also pushes the commuter rail trains closer to the homes on Burget Avenue, and nobody wants that. It gets even worse if the longer platform forces a worse curve for the commuter rail tracks behind Burget Avenue, because particulate pollution from diesel commuter rail trains is as much as 10 times worse when they cannot maintain a steady speed.
If the terminus is at Route 16, the longer terminus platform and added trackwork will be in place of the U-Haul building on Boston Avenue instead of behind our homes.
Car traffic
There won’t be parking at the terminus, but there will be cars dropping off and picking up passengers at the terminus. There’s no good place to do that at College Avenue, and there’s no good way for cars to turn around at College Avenue. We’ll have more traffic congestion throughout Medford Hillside and near the College Avenue station, which means more air pollution. And our roads and crosswalks will be less safe.
There’s space at Route 16 for cars to drop off and pick up passengers, turn around, and keep that traffic out of Medford Hillside and away from the College Avenue station.
An interim terminus?
The state claims that the College Avenue station will only be a terminus until they get around to building the section to Route 16 in a second phase. Even if the second phase is built, we’ll still have to live for years with College Avenue as a terminus.
Building the College Avenue as a terminus instead of as a regular station causes irreversible damage to our neighborhood. Suppose they build College Avenue as a terminus in 2014, and then later extend the Green Line to Route 16. Even though College Avenue would no longer be a terminus at that point, they are not going to tear out the extra trackwork, remove half the platform, shift the Green Line and commuter rail tracks away from the homes on Burget Avenue, shift the noise barriers away from the homes on Burget Avenue, and replace all the extra trees they chopped down. Irreversible damage for a temporary terminus? No thanks.
The only solution
We have to build the Green Line all the way to Route 16 as one project if we’re going to avoid the damage to the neighborhood around College Avenue. The terminus belongs at Route 16, not at College Avenue.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Send a message to Medford's government
Medford’s mayor and city council have been very slow to support the Green Line Extension to Route 16. When more than 2000 people signed a petition supporting the Route 16 station and 17 people signed a letter opposing it, Medford’s city council said that the community was divided.
99% of people supporting the Route 16 station is not a divided community.
Our legislators at the state level know this: State Senator Pat Jehlen, State Rep Carl Sciortino, and State Rep Sean Garballey have all been strongly advocating for the Route 16 station. Somerville city officials know this, and Somerville’s mayor and Board of Aldermen have been pushing for the Route 16 station. It’s past time for Medford’s mayor and city council to get on board.
We need to tell Mayor McGlynn and the Medford City Council that we support bringing the Green Line to Route 16 as one construction project. We don’t want the delays and extra years of construction that a two-phase project will cause. We don’t want the increased traffic and increased air pollution that a temporary terminus at College Avenue will cause. We want the full-build Green Line Extension to Route 16, designed to improve our neighborhoods, designed to serve our needs, and designed with all the mitigation we can get. That will only happen if Medford’s government starts participating constructively.
You can send that message to Medford's mayor and city council at www.informedreaders.com/greenline.
99% of people supporting the Route 16 station is not a divided community.
Our legislators at the state level know this: State Senator Pat Jehlen, State Rep Carl Sciortino, and State Rep Sean Garballey have all been strongly advocating for the Route 16 station. Somerville city officials know this, and Somerville’s mayor and Board of Aldermen have been pushing for the Route 16 station. It’s past time for Medford’s mayor and city council to get on board.
We need to tell Mayor McGlynn and the Medford City Council that we support bringing the Green Line to Route 16 as one construction project. We don’t want the delays and extra years of construction that a two-phase project will cause. We don’t want the increased traffic and increased air pollution that a temporary terminus at College Avenue will cause. We want the full-build Green Line Extension to Route 16, designed to improve our neighborhoods, designed to serve our needs, and designed with all the mitigation we can get. That will only happen if Medford’s government starts participating constructively.
You can send that message to Medford's mayor and city council at www.informedreaders.com/greenline.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Tell a friend
The best way to have your voice be heard is to tell a friend. Let them know that the Green Line Extension is coming to Medford, and that we have a chance to make sure it’s done right.
We have a “Share” button on every page. That button makes it easy to e-mail a link, post to Facebook or Twitter, or spread the word on your own blog. You can also just point people to GreenLineRoute16.blogspot.com.
See a post you like? Tell a friend! Ask your neighbors to send an e-mail too! If we all speak up, we can make a difference.
We have a “Share” button on every page. That button makes it easy to e-mail a link, post to Facebook or Twitter, or spread the word on your own blog. You can also just point people to GreenLineRoute16.blogspot.com.
See a post you like? Tell a friend! Ask your neighbors to send an e-mail too! If we all speak up, we can make a difference.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Why residents want the Route 16 station
1. Better public transit. The Green Line will be fast, will run frequently, and will connect to the entire T system. The Route 16 station will be in walking distance for approximately 10,000 local residents in Medford Hillside, West Medford, West Somerville, and East Arlington.
2. Less car traffic. The Route 16 station will allow more car trips to be replaced by Green Line trips. Even if you’ll still need to drive somewhere, having other people taking the Green Line means that you’ll have less traffic in front of you.
3. Less air pollution from cars. The Route 16 station will improve our air quality by reducing car trips and reducing traffic congestion.
4. Less noise from the commuter rail. Noise barriers will be put up next to the commuter rail line through Medford Hillside only if the Route 16 station is built. Even though the commuter rail will be shifted a little closer to our homes, we’ll have less noise and less air pollution from the commuter rail because of those noise barriers.
5. Sensible development opportunities. The only building that needs to be taken down for the Route 16 station is the U-Haul building. There’s space around the Route 16 station for small shops and cafes, the sort of development that benefits a neighborhood.
6. Job opportunities. Good public transit connections attract employers all along a transit line, and make it easier for all of us to get to those jobs.
7. Help our local businesses. Stores like Whole Foods will benefit from the Route 16 station. We want our local businesses to survive and thrive.
8. Improvements to our local roads and other infrastructure. If the Route 16 station is built, part of the project will include fixing the traffic flow problems we already have along Route 16, Boston Avenue, Winthrop Street, and other local roads. We need those improvements.
2. Less car traffic. The Route 16 station will allow more car trips to be replaced by Green Line trips. Even if you’ll still need to drive somewhere, having other people taking the Green Line means that you’ll have less traffic in front of you.
3. Less air pollution from cars. The Route 16 station will improve our air quality by reducing car trips and reducing traffic congestion.
4. Less noise from the commuter rail. Noise barriers will be put up next to the commuter rail line through Medford Hillside only if the Route 16 station is built. Even though the commuter rail will be shifted a little closer to our homes, we’ll have less noise and less air pollution from the commuter rail because of those noise barriers.
5. Sensible development opportunities. The only building that needs to be taken down for the Route 16 station is the U-Haul building. There’s space around the Route 16 station for small shops and cafes, the sort of development that benefits a neighborhood.
6. Job opportunities. Good public transit connections attract employers all along a transit line, and make it easier for all of us to get to those jobs.
7. Help our local businesses. Stores like Whole Foods will benefit from the Route 16 station. We want our local businesses to survive and thrive.
8. Improvements to our local roads and other infrastructure. If the Route 16 station is built, part of the project will include fixing the traffic flow problems we already have along Route 16, Boston Avenue, Winthrop Street, and other local roads. We need those improvements.
The choice before us
The Green Line extension will be built. The station locations have been chosen. The only decision left is whether the Green Line will end at College Avenue, or whether it will continue on to Route 16.
The state wants to end at College Avenue. Everyone else wants the Green Line to continue on to Route 16. Over 2000 people signed a petition to bring the Green Line to Route 16. Over 10,000 people live in walking distance to a Route 16 stop. Even the state admits that Route 16 would mean less traffic, less pollution, and better air quality.
Here's the Green Line map today:
Here's what the state has promised to build by 2014:
And here's what we want, just one more stop:
It's not a big change, but it will make a huge difference in people's lives.
It's now 2010. The state says that they can build the entire extension from Lechmere to Union Square in Somerville and College Avenue in Medford by 2014, but that it will take up to 6 years more to go one more stop to Route 16. That's not a plan to build Route 16; that's a plan to kill Route 16. We can't let that happen.
The state wants to end at College Avenue. Everyone else wants the Green Line to continue on to Route 16. Over 2000 people signed a petition to bring the Green Line to Route 16. Over 10,000 people live in walking distance to a Route 16 stop. Even the state admits that Route 16 would mean less traffic, less pollution, and better air quality.
Here's the Green Line map today:
Here's what the state has promised to build by 2014:
And here's what we want, just one more stop:
It's not a big change, but it will make a huge difference in people's lives.
It's now 2010. The state says that they can build the entire extension from Lechmere to Union Square in Somerville and College Avenue in Medford by 2014, but that it will take up to 6 years more to go one more stop to Route 16. That's not a plan to build Route 16; that's a plan to kill Route 16. We can't let that happen.
Magnets
These round 2.25" magnets are for sale through CafePress, so you can show your support for bringing the Green Line to Route 16.
These designs are also available as buttons, and we have bumper stickers as well.
Buy 1 for $4, buy 10 for $28, or buy 100 for $180
Buy 1 for $4, buy 10 for $28, or buy 100 for $180
These designs are also available as buttons, and we have bumper stickers as well.
Buy 1 for $4, buy 10 for $28, or buy 100 for $180
Buy 1 for $4, buy 10 for $28, or buy 100 for $180
Buttons
These round buttons are for sale through CafePress, so you can show your support for bringing the Green Line to Route 16.
These designs are also available as magnets, and we have bumper stickers as well.
Large 3.5" buttons: Buy 1 for $4.80, buy 10 for $32, or buy 100 for $224
Regular 2.25" buttons: Buy 1 for $4, buy 10 for $28, or buy 100 for $180
Mini 1" buttons: Buy 1 for $2.50, buy 10 for $20, or buy 100 for $150
Large 3.5" buttons: Buy 1 for $4.80, buy 10 for $32, or buy 100 for $224
Regular 2.25" buttons: Buy 1 for $4, buy 10 for $28, or buy 100 for $180
Mini 1" buttons: Buy 1 for $2.50, buy 10 for $20, or buy 100 for $150
These designs are also available as magnets, and we have bumper stickers as well.
Large 3.5" buttons: Buy 1 for $4.80, buy 10 for $32, or buy 100 for $224
Regular 2.25" buttons: Buy 1 for $4, buy 10 for $28, or buy 100 for $180
Mini 1" buttons: Buy 1 for $2.50, buy 10 for $20, or buy 100 for $150
Large 3.5" buttons: Buy 1 for $4.80, buy 10 for $32, or buy 100 for $224
Regular 2.25" buttons: Buy 1 for $4, buy 10 for $28, or buy 100 for $180
Mini 1" buttons: Buy 1 for $2.50, buy 10 for $20, or buy 100 for $150
Bumper Stickers
These bumper stickers are for sale through CafePress, so you can show your support for bringing the Green Line to Route 16. Individual bumper stickers are $5, packs of 10 are $40, and packs of 50 are $140.
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