Public Testimony Laura Mignery — File 202364

Dear Aldermen, I am writing in regards to the Green Line Extension Project. I am 100% against this project moving forward at this time, and I believe it would be irresponsible to commit $50 million in funding to a project that could very well fall apart. On multiple occasions, Mayor Curtatone has expressed his desire to turn Somerville into a flourishing urban hub. It seems logical that bringing a Green Line extension to Union would be one of the next steps. In theory, it’s a great idea. Increased access to public transportation could decrease the number of cars on the road in Somerville, make it easier for residents commuting to work, bringing folks into the Union area and increasing revenue for businesses, and making Somerville a “greener” city, no pun intended. These are all potential benefits of the GLX project. The thing is though, that this is all theoretical. The revenue numbers presented by the mayor are projections and if there’s one thing I think we’ve learned as a country in the last year, projections can often be significantly far removed from reality. The MBTA is a disaster and has been for many years. It can barely keep the systems it already has running smoothly. In the last few years, a train has caught on fire, there were massive shutdowns due to snowstorms at a time when the subway was most needed, multiple power failures, there are frequent “signal issues” and “switch problems,” and this is just a small sample of problems. The green line specifically has the worst tracks and systems are in drastic need of upgrade to what already exists and not simply expanding upon an already broken system. There are serious infrastructure issues that need to be addressed with the MBTA as it stands, and the city could be throwing away $50 million. It is a significant amount to commit when we have already committed to building a new school. The MBTA lacks the infrastructure and leadership lack the vision to make the GLX project a success. Until the MBTA can rebuild and sustain the systems they already have in place and demonstrate fiscal responsibility in doing so, I urge you to, if possible, commit these funds to fixing infrastructure issues Somerville already has: like dozens of roads that need repaving. Bringing the Green Line to Somerville in the future is something that would be of great benefit, but until the MBTA addresses its significant management and infrastructure challenges, there’s a high likelihood that Somerville would most be throwing $50m away for a project that won’t be able to come to pass due to the existing failures of the MBTA. If possible, perhaps this issue can be brought up again in two or three years, but as of right now, I urge you to vote against the GLX project. Thank you for your consideration. Best, Laura Mignery 85 Bartlett Street