The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) today joined Congressman Michael Capuano and Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone in announcing an agreement on a new preferred site for a maintenance and storage facility needed for the Green Line extension to Somerville and Medford.

Supported by the City of Somerville and elected officials throughout the Green Line Extension corridor, the new site is located in the Inner Belt area of Somerville and is known as 'Option L,' due to its L-shaped configuration. The new location eliminates many of the negative neighborhood impacts associated with the original site proposed by MassDOT, and presents the best opportunities to further long-term planning and development objectives in the area.

The selection of the Option L site is the culmination of a community planning process that engaged community advocates, local residents, business people and elected officials at all levels with MassDOT planners and engineers. MassDOT has received valuable input throughout the planning process and will continue to work with interested individuals and organizations, including municipal officials and staff, on specific design elements of the facility.

"I'd like to thank all those involved in this decision," said Congressman Mike Capuano. "Everyone showed the necessary flexibility and willingness to compromise when it came to locating the maintenance facility. As a result, we continue moving forward on the greater issue – making the Green Line Extension a reality."

"The Green Line Extension is one of our highest-profile projects, and one that offers enormous potential transportation benefits for the communities northwest of Boston," said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Jeffrey Mullan. "The City of Somerville, its municipal officials and local residents, are our partners in the planning process, and their participation has been and will continue to be invaluable as we move forward. The selection of Option L is an example of that partnership."

The Option L site makes possible the future redevelopment of the areas closest to the Green Line Extension corridor, and the creation of long-term transportation connections between the Inner Belt and Brickbottom neighborhoods.

"This is a momentous decision for the City of Somerville," said Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. "Not only does the decision about where to locate the Green Line maintenance facility ensure that the Green Line expansion into Somerville remains on its 2014 timeline, the chosen location creates the opportunity for significant redevelopment inside the city's industrial Inner Belt. Best of all, this will help preserve the quality of life for nearby residents, notably those in the Brickbottom artist lofts. Today we're significantly closer to achieving the better, brighter, more connected future we envision for this city."

"We are very happy that MassDOT has chosen Option L as the preferred site for the maintenance facility," said Senator Patricia Jehlen. "As a legislative delegation we convened many meetings with MassDOT and the city to discuss this issue. In the end, however, it was the hard work and determination of the residents themselves who attended one public meeting after another to express their concerns that lead to this decision. The residents of Somerville, the Mayor and the many advocacy groups who have been involved in this process from the beginning deserve tremendous credit for their hard work and determination."

"This decision is reflective of a healthy and vigorous community process and a testament to the sustained involvement of so many community members and elected officials," said Representative Timothy Toomey. "Option L is by far the best alternative for the residents of Brickbottom and for the long-term economic development potential of the Inner Belt area of Somerville, and I'd like to thank Secretary Mullan and Governor Patrick for their commitment to finding the best possible location for the facility."

"I'm pleased that the siting of the maintenance facility has been resolved well away from the Brickbottom/Inner Belt area," said Representative Denise Provost (D-Somerville). "The Green Line extension is a priority for Somerville, and it's time to move the project forward."

"I appreciate MassDOT's willingness to work with our community and their continued responsiveness to our concerns," said Representative Carl M. Sciortino, Jr.

More information about the Green Line Extension project, including information about upcoming public meetings, can be found at www.mass.gov/greenlineextension

For transportation news and updates visit MassDOT at our website: www.mass.gov/massdot, blog: www.mass.gov/blog/transportation, or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot.