WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) has included $100 million in funding for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation's (MassDOT) and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's (MBTA) Green Line Extension Project in its Fiscal Year 2015 (FY15) Appropriations bill, federal and state officials announced today. 

"This is exciting news - the Green Line Extension is a key infrastructure investment that will bring real economic benefits to communities in Greater Boston," said Senator Warren, who is a member of the Senate Banking, Housing, & Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development. "Securing funding in the Senate appropriations bill is an important step, and I thank Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Mikulski and Subcommittee Chairwoman Murray for supporting this project." Funding for the Green Line Extension Project was Senator Warren's top request to THUD this year.

"The Green Line Extension project just got a bright green light with funding in the Senate appropriations bill. The Green Line Extension will provide fast and efficient service for commuters and day trippers alike," said Senator Markey, a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. "With new stations that will link Medford, Somerville and Cambridge to downtown Boston, this extension will improve local and regional mobility, reduce traffic and air pollution and support transit oriented development."

"I am so pleased that funding for the Green Line extension is included in the Senate appropriations bill. There is no question that this transit expansion will bring with it economic and environmental benefits, and I look forward to the day when the GLX is open for business. I thank Senators Warren and Markey for their efforts to fund this project," said Congressman Capuano.

The Green Line Extension Project would connect a relocated Lechmere Station in East Cambridge to Union Square in Somerville and College Avenue in Medford, boosting economic growth, giving local residents greater access to transit, and providing environmental benefits. President Obama's FY 15 Budget, released in March, also includes $100 million in funding for the Green Line Extension Project.