Meeting minutes from BUMC focus group meeting - Green Line ...

Green Line Extension Project Advisory Group Meeting #8
Dr. Wood asked about the noise impact differences between tunneling and aboveground
trains. Mr. Ross said that tunnels would create less noise, but more vibration
effects.
Air Quality
Tom Wholley, VHB, provided a presentation on air quality, including a discussion of air
pollutants, the criteria and status of the various pollutants, and the methodology of the
analysis. The air quality analysis will include a mesoscale (regional) and microscale
(local) analysis. It will analyze the following emissions: VOC, NOx, greenhouse gases,
carbon monoxide, particulate matter (PM) and air toxics.
Community Path
John Burckardt, PB, provided an overview of the Community Path, a proposed multiuse
path that would extend the Minuteman Bikeway/Linear Park 2.5 miles from its current
ending at Cedar Street in Somerville to the Charles River Path. The proposed route
follows the edge of the Lowell Line Commuter Rail tracks, at street level (the trains run
below, in a cut). The Community Path will link the Minuteman Bikeway/Linear Park (the
most-used rail trail in the USA), via Lechmere, to the Charles River Path.
Mr. Burckardt then provided an overview of previous Community Path studies including
the Initial Feasibility Study (2001) and the 2006 Feasibility Study. Public comments on
the Green Line Extension Expanded Environmental Notification Form (EENF)
emphasized that the design of both projects could be coordinated to provide pedestrian
and bicycle access to the new Green Line stations. The Secretary’s Certificate on the
EENF said the EOT should work proactively with the proponents of the Community Path,
and the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) should include conceptual designs,
evaluate whether bridges are wide enough to accommodate the path, provide cost
estimates and evaluate the viability of extending the path to Route 16 to create a
connection with the Mystic River Parkway. 2
Mr. Krause noted that the Secretary’s Certificate requires the project team evaluate the
feasibility of extending the Community Path to Route 16/Mystic Valley Parkway.
Next Steps
Ms. Farrell noted that there will be a Magoun Square Neighborhood Association meeting
at the Visiting Nurses Association in Somerville that will include a Green Line Extension
Project presentation and discussion.
Ms. Farrell added that the next Advisory Group meeting will be held in September, date
and location to be announced. [Editor’s Note: EOT will schedule a Project Advisory
Group meeting as soon as outstanding analyses are completed.]
Public Comment
An attendee asked about the noise impacts on the Medford Hillside area. Mr. Woelfel
said that he hoped the noise impact results would be available in September.
2
The viability of a Mystic River Parkway connection was not included in this presentation, but will be
included in the DEIR.
August 4, 2008 5