The Medford Branch of the Green Line opened on December 12, 2022, to hundreds of excited riders ready to take the first train at 4:45am. After decades of advocacy, a lawsuit, endless planning, delays, a miraculous win of federal funding, more advocacy, an 11th-hour save via a $50 million payment, bridge closures, travel disruptions, and several years of less-than-welcome construction impacts, the Green Line Extension is finally here. The Medford Branch extends the E Line taking riders from Ball Square to stations like Fenway and Copley. The Union Square Branch extends the D Line taking riders from Union Square all the way to destinations in Newton.  

"The GLX is a milestone in our efforts to ensure Somerville is a place where residents can live with social, economic, environmental, and transit justice," Mayor Ballantyne said of this historic accomplishment. "We must also renew our efforts to keep working for more transportation equity: we need complete, safe, multimodal streets that work for everyone. We need to keep pushing to get the GLX to Route 16 and to build the north-south connector. We need to invest in the Grand Junction Rail, we need to electrify everything, we must keep pushing to make public transportation free, and we will lower McGrath." 

Watch past Green Line events and learn more about the Green Line. 

The extension of the Community Path is anticipated to open in mid-February. The Green Line Extension Contractors (GLX-C) are wrapping up station construction and finalizing community path construction. Once the construction is complete, the path will be opened. Thank you for your continued patience as we work with our partners at the MBTA to complete this new path. 

After a year of community engagement, data analysis, and policy research, the City of Somerville has published a draft of Somerville’s first Bicycle Network Plan. The Bicycle Network Plan is a visioning document intended to guide the next few decades of work to improve and expand Somerville’s bicycle facilities.   

The Plan proposes an 88-mile citywide network of connected streets and paths where people of all ages and abilities will be able to bike safely and comfortably. Compared to the fragmented 30-mile network that exists today, the Bicycle Network Plan envisions a future with vastly more biking infrastructure, safer facilities, and better connectivity. Formalizing this shared vision is the first step toward expanding bike ridership in Somerville. Shifting travel away from single-occupancy vehicles and toward sustainable modes like biking is essential to meet the City’s Vision Zero public safety goals, Somerville Climate Forward goals, and SomerVision comprehensive planning goals.   

The full draft plan and appendices are now available at somervillema.gov/bikenetwork in addition to executive summaries in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Nepali, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese. A final version of the plan will be published in early 2023.   

Public comments on the draft plan will be accepted through Monday, January 16. Send your comments or questions to the Mobility Division via email at transportation@somervillema.gov or by mail to 93 Highland Ave., c/o Mobility Division, Somerville, MA 02143. 

This winter begins in an even-numbered year so snow emergency parking will be on the even side of the street all winter, unless posted signage says differently. Check street signs in your neighborhood so you know where you can park ahead of winter weather. 

Snow emergencies are announced in a variety of ways, including through phone, text, and email City alerts. Make sure you’re signed up for alerts in every way you can receive them and at your current address to receive alerts specific to your neighborhood. Alerts are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Nepali. You can sign up or update your information by visiting somervillema.gov/alerts or calling 311.  

The Department of Public Works (DPW) recently facilitated a snow drill exercise to prepare for this winter season and review new street facilities including the Holland Street protected bike lanes and pedestrian refuge islands, Temple Street pedestrian refuge islands, 33 new speed humps, new raised crosswalks, and Broadway/Winchester Street islands.

DPW is launching a Vision Zero Crew, which includes 3 new positions dedicated to maintenance of facilities like bike lanes and pedestrian refuge islands. DPW also purchased special snow fighting equipment such as blowers, sanders, and plows to enhance this work.

Learn more about the City’s snow policies at somervillema.gov/snow.