More Woes May Be Coming for the MBTA

Green Line Photo By Olga Khvan

Big surprise: There’s trouble brewing over an MBTA project.

During a meeting in Somerville on Wednesday, officials previewed possible cutbacks that may be coming to the much-maligned Green Line extension project. According to Boston.com, interim project manager Jack Wright presented a revised and simpler plan for the seven new stations that would extend the Green Line into Somerville and Medford.

Cuts would include making the new stations “open air” as well as downsizing plans for a vehicle maintenance facility. Officials hope to save $280 million through these design alterations.

“There’s reason for optimism, there’s hope,” Wright said. “But there’s a long way to go.”

Wright, however, declined to make any commitments to the project, which could get scrapped altogether. The fate of the Green Line extension will likely be decided in May when officials present a new proposal.

The latest woes for the MBTA comes right off the heels of their recent announcement over nixing late-night service, which will go into effect later this month.

There are also plans to once again raise fares, despite the MBTA having cut its budget deficit by 43 percent.

Good thing spring is right around the corner, because it looks like a lot of residents will have to walk to their destinations. Or wait outside, if they do get to a station.