In a reversal, Gov. Maura Healey’s administration has introduced that the Green Line Extension will really not be shut down for six weeks in the course of summer time, delaying repairs on a deteriorating Somerville bridge till September.
The change comes because the Sumner Tunnel closure went into impact on Wednesday, wreaking havoc on visitors across the area.
The announcement additionally comes after a bunch of Somerville state representatives wrote to state officers about their issues concerning the Green Line Extension shutdown.
Last week, the MBTA stated Green Line prepare service between Lechmere and Union Square stations could be suspended for 42 days from July 18 to Aug. 28. This deliberate service disruption was due to restore work by MassDOT on the Route 28 Squires Bridge, which crosses over tracks close to Union Square station.
But now, that restore work will probably be pushed till September.
“The Healey-Driscoll Administration is postponing construction on the Squire Bridge until September 2023,” Karissa Hand, a spokesperson for the governor, stated in a press release on Wednesday.
“Green Line service will not be suspended between Union Square and Lechmere from July 18-August 28, 2023,” Hand added.
MassDOT crews inspected the bridge over the weekend, and decided it was secure to delay repairs till September “so that the closure does not occur at the same time as the Sumner Tunnel closure and to allow appropriate time to explore mitigation options and communicate with the public,” the governor’s spokesperson stated.
“The administration is grateful for the feedback we received from local officials and community members and will maintain close communication as we work to reschedule the Squire Bridge construction,” Hand stated.
On Monday, the Somerville state reps wrote a letter to MassDOT Secretary Gina Fiandaca, the MBTA board and MBTA GM Phillip Eng concerning the pending shutdown.
The state reps stated they had been involved that the choice journey bus choices wouldn’t be sufficient through the six-week service disruption.
“Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for responding to our advocacy in support of transit equity for Union Square,” state Rep. Mike Connolly tweeted on Wednesday after the information broke concerning the change in plans. “I am hopeful this extra time will give MassDOT and the MBTA an opportunity to improve the plans for the Squires Bridge repairs.”
MassDOT must restore deteriorating metal on McGrath Highway’s Squires Bridge, which can in the end impression the Green Line service in September.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”