Green Line Extension to Medford & Union Sq

was the green-on-top intentional? (it is in the early drawings, but looks odd to me)
 
The stanchions are yellow so that people who are color-blind or partially blind can see them more easily. They aren't yellow for aesthetic reasons.
 
you know things are bad when one of the slides just says thank you
 
A couple new contracts for GLx went out.

The MBTA turned on the spending spigot for the Green Line Extension on Monday, handing out an $8.4 million contract to Keolis Commuter Services for some advance work and a $57 million contract to CH2M Hill to manage the construction design team that will eventually build the line into Somerville and Medford. The contract amounts are the maximum possible expenditures.
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https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/keolis-on-time-performance-improves/
 
I just saw a message board in the Lechmere parking lot stating that the lot will close permanently on June 22nd due to construction of infrastructure for the GLX and development in NorthPoint. Parking around the area is going to get a lot tougher.
 
Cool. It's beginning to sound like GLX will actually get built. Amazing!
 
Tango said:
I just saw a message board in the Lechmere parking lot stating that the lot will close permanently on June 22nd due to construction of infrastructure for the GLX and development in NorthPoint. Parking around the area is going to get a lot tougher.
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Does this also mean MassDOT has negotiated a better land swap deal addendum that lets them start station and viaduct construction while current Lechmere remains open?

(The original swap deal was going to require a long closure since the T could not take possession of the new Lechmere site until it had closed and turned over the current site.
 
Having to extend the buses to North Station will (would?) absolutely suck for anyone dependent on a Lechmere bus. It could easily add 15 minutes to the average trip with a destination further on the Green line.
 
Someone (F Line?) had once said that the Green Line would need to be shut down for awhile due to the Green Line viaduct to be replaced the entire length between Lechmere Sta and Gilmore Bridge. So, expediting the new station would not shorten the closure any.
 
Charlie_mta said:
expediting the new station would not shorten the closure any.
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If the viaduct takes 1 year of construction and the station , given its complexity, takes 2 years, then giving the station a year's head start (during which the T occupies both new site (for construction) and old (Lechmere still open)) would cut the closure in half

The problem with the original swap deal (if it has not been amended) was that to take possession of the new site, they had to close and turn over the current station.

If they have cut a separate lease deal, either to lease the new site early, or to hold the current site longer, then, as described above, it has the potential to cut the closure big time.
 
Arlington said:
If the viaduct takes 1 year of construction and the station , given its complexity, takes 2 years, then giving the station a year's head start (during which the T occupies both new site (for construction) and old (Lechmere still open)) would cut the closure in half

The problem with the original swap deal (if it has not been amended) was that to take possession of the new site, they had to close and turn over the current station.

If they have cut a separate lease deal, either to lease the new site early, or to hold the current site longer, then, as described above, it has the potential to cut the closure big time.
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The reason for the planned shut down has been because of the need to demolish that section of the viaduct, not because of the land swap. Before work was halted, the plan was to shut the line down as required by the timing of the viaduct demolition.
 
winstonoboogie said:
The reason for the planned shut down has been because of the need to demolish that section of the viaduct, not because of the land swap. Before work was halted, the plan was to shut the line down as required by the timing of the viaduct demolition.
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So, just for clarity, has it been arranged that work can start on the new Lechmere station early in the process, and does not have to wait for the Delaware North or North Point parties to take possession of a closed Lechmere Loop?

I think there was also some concern on the land swap that the Lechmere Busway would also have to close--the T would have to vacate the whole bus-rail station parcel in order to take possession of the new station parcel. If this has been solved, has it all been solved in a package?

The ideal phasing (for existing passengers) would be:
- T takes possession of new site, starts digging foundations
- When al GLX work is within "one viaduct" of completion, Lechmere loop closes
- Swap parties take possession of only the rail loop (not the busway)
- Viaduct is demo'd and redone as New Lechmere's final stage runs
- Bus station remains open, shuttle runs Lechmere - North Station
- Viaduct, Rail Station, New Busway, & new Type 9s launch together
- Busway closes
- 80s series buses realigned to new GLX realities (I'd like the 80 to run from Arlington Center to Ball or Magoun only before turning back..but then run twice as often.
How close to that happening are we?
 
Big news today: RFP out for the final bid:

MBTA Green Line Extension Project Has Released Final Request for Proposal for Design-Build Contract

BOSTON – The MBTA Green Line Extension (GLX) Project Team has released the Final Request for Proposal (RFP) for the GLX Design Build (DB) contract to the three shortlisted DB teams that were identified in February of this year. The Final RFP includes an Affordability Limit of $1.319 billion, base scope of work, and “Additive Options.” Additive Options will only be included in the project scope should teams affirm that the Options can be completed within both the Project schedule and the Affordability Limit. Responses to the Final RFP will be submitted by the three DB teams in September 2017.

“This step represents another major milestone for GLX as we move closer to the design and build phase of the project,” said Program Manager John Dalton. “The MBTA has been actively engaged in pre-proposal exchanges with the three teams pursuing the design-build contract and looks forward to continuing that technical concept dialogue as each of the teams develops their responses to the Final RFP package being issued today. The base scope remains seven new stations, related track and infrastructure necessary for train service, a vehicle maintenance facility, and multi-use community path. If market conditions allow, Additive Options will be included in the Design Build project scope."

If a DB team believes that Additive Options can be included and keep within the MBTA’s cost and schedule for the project, the firm is directed to propose those Additive Options in the following order as prioritized by the MBTA:

  1. Platform canopies.
  2. Additional elevators at select stations.
  3. Public art.
  4. Additional community connection to the community path located on Chester Street in Somerville.
  5. Extension of the community path between East Somerville and Lechmere Stations.
  6. Enhanced Vehicle Maintenance Facility in Somerville.

The MBTA, in collaboration with stakeholders, established the prioritized list to meet its objectives of enhancing rider experience, community access, and operational improvements.

Price proposals for the competing DB teams must not exceed the established Affordability Limit of $1.319 billion, which is in keeping with the total GLX Program budget and is not to exceed $2.3 billion.
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http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/news_events/?id=6442458115&month=&year
 
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