Possible expansion of Green Line to Medford

For students without cars, the CambridgeSide Galleria and Museum of Science are a world away even though they are only three and a half miles from the Tufts campus. The journey may become much more efficient in the future, however, as the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) is considering expanding the Green Line train northwards.

The Green Line currently ends at Lechmere, but the MBTA's Capital Investment Program has allocated $400,000 for a system expansion project study over the next five years. The study will analyze options for extending the Green line from Lechmere to Medford Hillside, the community surrounding Tufts, and assess the proposal's environmental and economic aspects.

Curtis Hall could be used as a train station for the new Green Line since old rail lines are imbedded below the surface of College Ave, according to Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering David Gute. "We're surrounded by the remnants of public transit," Gute said. Bringing more public transportation to this area could revitalize the community, he said.

The idea excited many students, who felt the extra transportation options could improve Tufts' image and make students' lives easier. The new line "would give us better access to the city, and it would also be easier for prospective students to have access to Tufts, since it is can be relatively hard to find with a car," sophomore Christina Bernadotte said.

Sophomore Anthony Dalli agreed that it would be a big advantage to have another transportation option. "I mean the Green Line here would be tight because then it would be like 'I want to go to the Fleet Center'...done," Dalli said.

Although many students like the concept of having easier access to Boston, some wonder whether an expansion is really necessary with the Red Line so close. "Why would they want to have the Green Line go to Tufts?" sophomore Jeffery Martin said. "I haven't heard anyone complain about being able to get into Boston from here."

Somerville resident and Tufts physics Ph.D. candidate Elizabeth Heider is supportive of an expansion, however, because she feels expanding the MBTA's service is important for her community. "It would be of great benefit to people who live in my neighborhood," Heider said. "As it is, I have a long commute that would be significantly reduced by a direct route to Tufts."

Members of the Tufts community can comment on the plan at a public hearing on the MBTA's five-year Capital Investment Program next week. The meeting will be held at the Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza in Boston next Thursday.