Arborway Green Line Restoration
News

For Immediate Release
November 7, 2001

Contacts: Doug Pizzi (EOEA) 617-626-1118
Jon Carlisle (EOTC) 617-973-8093

EOEA and EOTC Announce Plans to Restore Rail Service to Arborway Section of Green Line

BOSTON - Bob Durand, Secretary of Environmental Affairs, and Kevin Sullivan, Secretary of Transportation and Construction, today announced plans to restore light rail service along the Arborway Line, which was discontinued in 1985.

Today's announcement stems from public transit commitments agreed to by state transportation agencies in order to win approval of the Central Artery project. The transportation agencies, including the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), agreed to increase public transportation opportunities to preserve the expanded traffic capacity of the new roadways and to mitigate air pollution from the vehicles using the those roadways once the Big Dig is completed.

The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) reviewed the MBTA's request to substitute compressed natural gas buses for light rail in the restoration of Arborway public transportation service. DEP ruled that restoring light rail is not infeasible. EOTC agreed to move forward with a plan for design and construction of light rail along the E-Line portion of the Green Line from Heath Street to Forest Hills.

"This decision today will ensure that the commitment to restore Arborway service on the Green Line is met, and the environmental benefits of light rail will be realized," said Secretary Durand.

"Governor Swift has urged our two agencies to come together to produce a workable transit solution for the Arborway," said Secretary Sullivan. "This light rail restoration answers the transportation needs of the people who live and work along the corridor."

The MBTA has agreed to submit a restoration plan and schedule to DEP no later than December 31st of this year and plans to meet with officials from the City of Boston and the neighborhoods along the route to work on design and construction timing issues.

"The restoration of the Arborway light rail will serve dense, mixed use development and will contribute to the continued livelihood of the community while the community will contribute to the success of the service," said Secretary Durand.

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