Red Line Extension to Arlington Heights

In terms of SoGR, there's a ton more unfunded and unstarted stuff to take care of. power systems alone is probably a multi-million dollar need. I don't disagree that we should be considering future system expansions, but I'd think I'd personally want to prioritize system improvements that aren't true expansions like regional rail and red blue.

That said, when do you think we should be able to expect a new CNAI (Capital Needs Assessment and Inventory)? They're supposed to be every 3-4 years, but the last one was presented in late 2023 citing july 2021 data. I think I'd want to comment on future investment priorities with that in hand, seeing what progress has been made since 2021 - presumably with the many multiday diversions the 2B in identified transit track need has mostly come into SGR, for one.
 
Stlin said:
In terms of SoGR, there's a ton more unfunded and unstarted stuff to take care of. power systems alone is probably a multi-million dollar need. I don't disagree that we should be considering future system expansions, but I'd think I'd personally want to prioritize system improvements that aren't true expansions like regional rail and red blue.

That said, when do you think we should be able to expect a new CNAI (Capital Needs Assessment and Inventory)? They're supposed to be every 3-4 years, but the last one was presented in late 2023 citing july 2021 data. I think I'd want to comment on future investment priorities with that in hand, seeing what progress has been made since 2021 - presumably with the many multiday diversions the 2B in identified transit track need has mostly come into SGR, for one.
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I believe the CIP team has said it's in the works and expected next year or so.
 
While it may seem like low hanging fruit, it is also one of the most regressive ways to fund things. Sales tax increases impact the lower income earners way more than other income levels. I voted for a sales tax increase when Nashville, TN did their most recent transit referendum (0.5% for the first 5 or 10 years, then another 0.5% after that) and it was a very hard discussion about using a sales tax to fund transit. Lower Broadway has a "fee" that also jumps the sales tax an additional 0.50%, so if anyone visits Nashville, you will pay just over 10% in sales tax/fee alone. Granted most locals or low income earners are not hitting up Lower Broadway every weekend, but that additional "fee" applies to all retail sales within the downtown area.

With a system like the MBTA, why would a single town want to vote to increase their tax burden to fund something not in their town? I only ask this in context to the MBTA and the Red Line extension. Is the suggestion that Arlington would want to increase their tax burden in or to fund (or partially fund) the extension project? Looks like the sponsors are from Framingham, Lexington and Boston. Framingham and Lexington are probably looking at the surcharge for sidewalks, bike lanes, traffic signals. Boston could use a surcharge for any number of items. I guess I am struggling a bit with understanding how a city specific surcharge could go into a project such as rail extension.
 
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