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Page 8 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MARCH 25, 2022 Baker celebrates opening of Green Line Extension G overnor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Massachusetts Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler and MBTA General Manager Stephen Poftak recently joined federal, state and local elected leaders and community partners to celebrate the opening of the first branch of the Green Line Extension (GLX) Project. A ribbon-cutting event was held at the brand-new Union Square Station as well as at the newly constructed and relocated Lechmere Station. “The Green Line Extension is a transformative project that is the result of collaboration among federal, state, local and community partners and our administration is thrilled to celebrate today’s launch. This expansion of the Green Line will improve access to educational and job opportunities throughout the MTBA system and across the region,” said Baker. “This milestone will have a significant impact on this region of the Commonwealth by providing better MBTA service to riders and spurring economic growth, and we are grateful to everyone who worked together to make this day possible.” “Residents within these communities and across the region will now get to experience the many benefits of expanded MBTA service in Somerville, Cambridge, and Medford,” said Polito. “The Green Line Extension has been an important part of our administration’s work to expand transit options for travelers across the Commonwealth, and we look forward to the opening of the second branch of GLX later this year.” “The Green Line Extension has been one of my top priorities since I was elected to the Senate, and I’m glad to have helped secure nearly a billion dollars in federal funding for this vital project that improves transportation and tackles environmental injustices head on,” said U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren. “This project became a reality because our Somerville and Cambridge communities were dissatisfied with the status quo and fought tooth and nail for transformational modern transit. I will keep working with my Congressional delegation colleagues to prioritize federal investments in our frontline communities that have been historically shortchanged on infrastructure improvements.” “We call it the Green New Deal because we need green lines all across Massachusetts and the country that makes reliable, affordable public transit the backbone of our local communities and economy,” said U.S. Senator Ed Markey. “The long-awaited Green Line expansion will connect thousands in Cambridge and Somerville to new economic opportunities and a greener future. I am proud to have worked alongside my colleagues to secure this nearly $1 billion investment that will break down barriers for workers, cut fossil fuel emissions for our climate, reduce traffic congestions for commuters, and make transit more accessible for our communities.” “I’m thrilled to see the Green Line Extension into Somerville move forward at long last,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. “By extending past Lechmere into Union Square, the project will help spur the economic growth we’re already seeing in Somerville, connect residents to critical resources, and improve, equity, accessibility, mobility, congestion, and environmental conditions for riders and the communities who rely on the Green Line to get to and from work. I’ll keep fighting to secure robust investments in our public transit to support projects like the GLX, address transportation inequities, and make our communities more connected.” “The Green Line Extension is already transforming the region, creating so many opportunities for residents,” said Federal Transit Administration Administrator Nuria Fernandez. “The Green Line was the first subway line in America. MBTA is still on the cutting edge, looking for new and better ways to improve access and change people’s lives. I am proud of FTA’s role as this project came to fruition – not only providing a nearly $1 billion Capital Investment Grant – but also our technical assistance throughout the process.” “The start of service on the Union Square branch of the Green Line Extension Project is just one example of the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to providing safe and equitable transportation networks that support the Commonwealth’s transit, economic, climate and public health goals,” said Secretary Tesler. “We are grateful to the partnerships which have helped make this project a success and look forward to unveiling additional infrastructure improvements including commuter rail station renovations and projects bringing the system into modern times with ADA-compliant features.” “The opening of the Union Square Branch of the Green Line today marks an incredible achievement for the MBTA and improved transit options for the riders we serve. It also symbolizes the culmination of many years of hard work on the project, even during times of uncertainty,” said Poftak. “I’d like to thank the Baker-Polito Administration for its continued guidance and support of GLX; our MassDOT partners for their continued leadership; our municipal partners for their eagerness and collaboration; GLX Program Manager John Dalton and the entire GLX team for their dedicated work in propelling this project forward and making this day a reality; the entire MBTA team for their support of this project; and the many stakeholders, advocates, GLX neighbors, and members of the community who have partnered with us and supported the project. This is a great day, and we look forward to ofBAKER | SEE PAGE 14

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