By Ken Krause of MGNA...

Groundbreaking for Phase I construction of the Green Line Extension (GLX), and the hiring of a new team to complete engineering and design work are among the milestones anticipated for the project this fall, according to a report released this month by MassDOT and the MBTA.

Each July, MassDOT is required to submit to the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) an Annual Status Report on the transit projects that the state committed to build as a condition of DEP approving the Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel highway project (a k a the Big Dig). The Green Line Extension to Somerville and Medford is one of two of those transit commitments that remain unfinished; the other is improvements to the Fairmount commuter rail line.