Media Statement: Red–Blue Connector To Be Included in Focus40

BOSTON, February 4, 2019 — We are pleased that the Secretary and the FMCB have decided to revise the Focus40 planning and investment plan to include the Red and Blue Line connector. When completed, this short and affordable tunnel connecting Bowdoin and Charles MGH stations will finally complete Greater Boston’s legacy subway system and link some of the region’s most important destinations and job creators. It also will provide the MBTA with critical system redundancy during a period of renewal and repair when other elements of the subway network may be out of service.

TransitMatters sends its gratitude to the over 1,200 T riders and supporters who signed our petition, as well as the many state and local elected officials from across the region, including House Speaker DeLeo. Their strong support helped make this important decision happen.  They know that connecting the Red and Blue Lines is essential to the functionality of the entire subway system.  And we wholeheartedly agree with FMCB member Brian Lang, who today expressed his support for this project and urged his fellow members to approve funding to enable engineering to begin this calendar year.

The next step is making sure that this project is placed on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) when it’s revised in April.  Funding ought to be available to begin engineering and keep this initiative on track. Our work will not be done until we achieve a specific commitment to include this on the CIP and begin engineering before the end of this calendar year.

More info about the FMCB decision can be found here here: https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/pollack-prioritizes-red-blue-rail-connector/