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This might be a really dumb question and it may have been asked before. What prevents the MBTA from just reversing the direction of operation in the upper busway? I'm assuming it has something to do with how the portal(s?) interact with the street grid?

Coming from the GLX technical provisions directly, the system is designed for: Another interesting call out, while the vast majority of Science Park to both terminals is designed for 50mph operations, the interlocking is a big ole slow zone: So, with the exception of the interlocking, any...

GLX, even in its imperfect, gimped state, is still a huge improvement and I think it's important to recognize that. In the before times, I'd be spending 15 minutes waiting for a damned bus at Lechmere to get into Somerville. Whatever furnishes schedules to the Transit app says to expect ~10...

So, on my outbound to Union yesterday, we actually stopped to let some folks off just after the ramp. Not sure if they were T officials or GLX constructors, but they were in hi-viz and then they headed to a group of folks in hard hats. Maybe that stop sign is temporary while construction is...

FINALLY, someone paying attention to the aesthetics of penthouses. I attended a community meeting for 50 Webster (the plot across the tracks from the station) and I asked the architect present if they had given any thought to the aesthetics of the the mech penthouses and he blew me off saying...

This makes sense, given that there are plans to provide a "The RIDE" dropoff area adjacent to the station plaza and residential tower loading dock. If we ever get a second entrance to the station, assuming it doesn't only allow entrance to the south, it'd be right around there as well.

The fix is AFC 2.0 and not something we'll see until 2023: see phase 4 on the MBTA Fare Transformation page. All of the news articles say that we'll be able to still just pay at the farebox onboard... which leaves me wondering whether the T will actually be validating fares at all or if this is...

Precisely. Additionally, platforms are built to accommodate 2 car Type 10 consists. I would hope, that the added space would allow the station to stay in operation if they ever extend to Porter.

I just wish we had the capacity to build “nice” things, instead of having settle for “adequate”.

Looking barebones is one thing but a 3 story walk up with no escalators? Can I get from point a to point b? Sure. How about when your feeling achy? When carrying a child? When the elevator is out? When it’s raining? Having a transit system that works for all users in a wide variety of situations...

Slightly off topic here, but why did the practice of evaluating new rolling stock by putting a set in service stop? Amtrak did a similar exercise before deciding on the v1 Acelas. Is there some better understanding of requirements?More liability? Feels like the whole Type 8 debacle could have...

The “temporary” validation scheme is just so, so dumb. I’m kinda tempted to just… not.

Hard to say… looking at Google Maps and it’s in an even worse state. The station is listed as a “Transportation Service” and you can’t even choose train station as an option for corrections. The default view is also incredibly out of date for the area: Still shows Bennett Ct and the old lot...

Not talking about physical maps, I’m talking about how the MBTA sent Apple info that states Union Square is getting both D and E trains and not just E trains until the Medford branch begins testing. Curious how this might affect routing/directions.

Sure, but not quite what I asked. The way I interpret the maps info is that D and E would run to Union concurrently, which we know won’t be true (at least according to published MBTA plans). I wonder if somebody just messed up, or if they’re willing to have incorrect info up on maps for a couple...

GLX station information has officially been uploaded to various online map services… one thing that caught my eye is that Union Square is listed as having E and D line service. Is it possible that they’re going to run all E and D services to Union until the Tufts branch opens?

Folks trying to make use the garage under this one are going to be in for a bad time. That turn is TIGHT at the bottom.

Yep, I'm aware of what the site will look like in its final state. Thats more than a year off, though. Requiring folks with accessibility issues to go up a hill to get to an elevator feels... not right.

Great photos as always BeeLine! Given that we're 2 weeks out from opening... do we have any idea how access is going to work for Union Square besides the elevator/stairs? I reached out to JT, the ward 2 city councilor, and he said he hadn't been told anything besides there will be a "very nice...

It's an electrical substation and not included in any of the redevelopment plans. Seems like orange-y brown is Somerville's new build color of the early 2020's: - d2.1 - The new high school - Hotel Cambria Wonder what's going to be next?