Kenmore T work now in extra innings
By Mac Daniel | March 4, 2007
The eternal renovations at the MBTA's Kenmore Station on the Green Line were supposed to be done by the time "Dice-K" throws his first pitch at Fenway next month. But, no, that would be too easy.
"What is the timetable for returning the Kenmore Green Line T station to some semblance of normality?" wrote Susan of Boston in November. "The situation is highly unpleasant and even quite unsafe, but there is no indication of any progress being made or any notices giving an idea of a timetable. Can you find out from the T what is going on?"
The station project is 10 months behind schedule, T officials said last week, and won't be complete until the 2007 Red Sox season is well over, even if they make the playoffs.
In March 2005, when work began, the job was scheduled to be done last January.
T officials say the new stairs to both platforms of the station will be ready by April 10 -- opening day -- but the planned glass canopy for the buses and all the planned greenery surrounding the site won't be done until at least November. Maybe later.
The $31 million project ($22.7 million for construction alone) will overhaul the overworked station. The station has been kept open while construction has continued, and that's one of the reasons behind the 10-month delay, T officials say.
"It's extraordinarily difficult to do this kind of construction while keeping the station open the entire time," said Joe Pesaturo, spokesman for the T, who noted that the authority had problems getting some of the necessary permits from the city.
The positive spin? By opening day, the station's elevated platforms will be 90 percent complete. Can I hear a yahoo? Anyone?
Contractor Barletta Heavy Division is trying to make up for the lost time by working double shifts. The firm is also seeking an extra $2.2 million because of the delays.
If it's any consolation, Dice-K makes more.
