The Medford Branch of the Green Line Extension has entered service, enabling passengers to travel directly from Medford and Somerville to downtown Boston, the Longwood Medical Area and beyond via light rail.
The 2.3 billion USD (2.16bn EUR) project has extended the Green Line by 4.7 miles along two branches: the Union Square Branch, which opened in March, and the new Medford Branch.
A total of seven new stations have been constructed for the project, along with a new vehicle storage and maintenance facility in Somerville. 24 trolleys have also been purchased to extend the fleet.
The 3.7-mile Medford Branch has five stations – East Somerville, Gilman Square, Magoun Square, Ball Square, and Medford/Tufts and introduces services to areas that haven’t had access to public transport in the past.
With the opening of both branches, nearly 80% of Somerville’s residents now live within walking distance of a rail station.
Green Line trains are expected to operate every five to six minutes in the peak hours, and the Massachusetts Bay Transport Authority (MBTA) estimates the extension’s opening will remove 26,000 vehicle trips from local streets daily.
“It's been very fulfilling to see MBTA projects in many locations completed, including new stations, new track and signals, grade crossing work and other improvements.
“Certainly, the Green Line Extension Project will go down in the annals of local history as a project with a huge impact economically and on MBTA customers.”
