The Green Line Extension will not shut down later this month, as originally planned, a spokesperson for Gov. Maura Healey announced Wednesday.
Service along the extension between Union Square and Lechmere stations was scheduled to be suspended from July 17 to Aug. 28 to make way for construction on the Squire Bridge in the area.
In a statement, though, spokesperson Karissa Hand said officials opted to postpone construction until September so that construction does not take place at the same time as the now ongoing Sumner Tunnel closure.
The delay, Hand said, is also to “allow appropriate time to explore mitigation options and communicate with the public.”
State Rep. Mike Connolly was one of three representatives who wrote to transit officials earlier this week about the planned Green Line disruption, writing, in part, “…we believe service replacement is key, and the T must either do more to show how existing bus service can accommodate all Union Square riders, or else make provisions to schedule additional buses or to hire shuttle buses as needed.”
“The way this plan had been rolled out was very inadequate,” Connolly said in a separate interview with 7NEWS.
He continued, saying the concern is whether or not alternative bus routes set forth in the planned partial Green Line shutdown would actually meet the demand for the Green Line in the area around the Green Line Extension.
“Our response has been, ‘If you feel the existing buses can service the transit need, then really map that out for us,” Connelly said. “‘Show us the typical Green Line departure schedule. Show us the average ridership on those typical departures.’”
Hand said MassDOT crews inspected the bridge over the weekend and determined it is safe to delay the repairs.
“The administration is grateful for the feedback we received from local officials and community members and will maintain close communication as we work to reschedule the Squire Bridge construction,” Hand said.
Reacting to the move on Thursday, some Green Line riders at Lechmere said they’re glad to see work staggered relative to the Sumner Tunnel shutdown.
Others said they would have preferred it all to get done over the less busy summer months.
“I think it’s a good choice to not have them both at the same time,” said Joanne Muolo. “It’s going to affect less people that way, I hope.”
“That will be when I have to start taking my commute,” said one rider of the new September plan.
“If it’s down, it always sucks,” one other rider said. “It’s not fun.”
The Sumner Tunnel began a nearly two-month closure on Wednesday morning. It is scheduled to remain closed through Aug. 31 as crews conduct repairs inside.
Officials have warned of traffic impacts from the shutdown and advised commuters to utilize public transportation if possible.
Connelly and others who wrote the letter to transit officials this week said they appreciate the decision to postpone Squire Bridge work, adding that they look forward to working with officials to find solutions.
While postponed to September, there was no firm date as of Thursday for when Squire Bridge work will begin.
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