Balfour Beatty, as Part of GLX Constructors, Celebrates the Grand Opening of the MBTA Green Line Extension to Union Square

Balfour Beatty, as part of Green Line Extension (GLX) Constructors joint venture team, celebrates the grand opening of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line Extension light-rail project’s Union Square line in Somerville. The completion was celebrated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), MBTA, federal, state, local officials including U.S. Senators Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Barker, Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, and community partners.

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Green Line Extension to Union Square grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony. Photo courtesy of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

The completion of the Green Line Extension to Union Square is the first of two lines that will be developed on the 4.7-mile light-rail project. The major milestone includes the delivery of approximately one mile of double track electrified railroad, developed adjacent to the existing Fitchburg Commuter Rail tracks, that now consists of two public train stations now open for public revenue service extending from Lechmere Station in Cambridge and Union Station in Somerville.

GLX Constructors project team members delivered system elements including one traction power substation, four signal houses and a complete Overhead Contact System. Teammates also completed Civils elements including 13-track storage yards that are approximately two track miles, plaza areas around stations, a mile-long viaduct, sound walls, fencing, one vehicle maintenance facility, and one transportation building, all built in environmentally sensitive areas.

“The opening of the Union Square Line of MBTA’s Green Line Extension project is a major milestone in the delivery of the light-rail system that will significantly enhance the travel experience for passengers and provide reliable public transit service,” said Mark Konchar, Balfour Beatty senior vice president and managing director of U.S. rail operations. “I would like to personally thank each of our teammates and partners’ efforts in safely achieving the official opening of the light-rail’s first line between Lechmere and Union Square stations. We look forward to the entire team working together to efficiently and safely deliver the next vital section of the railway that will open another revenue service for commuting passengers throughout the Boston community.”

The second line of the Green Line Extension rail system will feature the construction of five stations that will be developed along the existing Lowell Commuter Rail corridor extending from Lechmere Station to College Avenue in Medford. This line is expected to be completed in late Summer 2022.

Once complete, MBTA’s Green Line Extension project will significantly reduce automobile congestion and related air emission. It will also provide communities with universal access and new stations that meet or exceed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. It is expected to support increased ridership of more than 50,000 passenger trips per day and reduce regional daily Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) by 25,728 miles.

About Balfour Beatty

Balfour Beatty is an industry-leading provider of general contracting, at-risk construction management and design-build services for public and private sector clients across the United States. Performing heavy civil and vertical construction, the company is part of Balfour Beatty plc (LSE: BBY), a leading international infrastructure group that provides innovative and efficient infrastructure that underpins our daily lives, supports communities and enables economic growth. Balfour Beatty is ranked among the top domestic building contractors in the United States by Engineering News-Record. To learn more, visit www.balfourbeattyus.com.

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