The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line Extension (GLX) light rail project recently received a $225 million federal grant agreement.
GLX runs 4.7 miles from Cambridge to Medford and will improve the quality of life for tens of thousands of passengers in the Boston area, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said.
This is the second round of funding for the line from the Federal Transit Administration. The first round included a $996 million grant.
“The Green Line Extension will improve access to education, housing and job opportunities across the entire MTBA system,” Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said. “Our administration is grateful for the collaboration and support we have received from Secretary Chao and all partners at the federal, state and local level to reach this milestone and begin a project that will have a transformational impact on this region of the Commonwealth by accommodating riders and spurring economic growth.”
GLX is scheduled to open January 2022. It will include a new pedestrian/bike path and seven new light-rail stations and will replace or rehabilitate eight bridges.
Approximately 75,000 residents live along GLX, and the line is expected to generate roughly 40,000 new transit trips daily.