Despite having a free moment to write that last post, I missed mentioning the big local news of the week, the opening of the first branch of the Green Line Extension to Somerville last Monday. It's an extension of rail service first proposed in 1926 (making it in some sense an MBTA project that pre-dates the MBTA) and the first expansion of light-rail service in Boston since 1988. It includes the long-awaited opening of the rebuild of Lechmere Station. So now in addition to being on a bunch of bus lines, my house is a block from the Green Line, on a direct transit route to downtown. (And to the Science Museum, hence the timing of last weekend's trip.)

I went to see the opening ceremony on Monday, which was pretty cool, though I almost regret deciding to stay for the speeches, which stretched on two hours. Pretty much everyone in Boston politics and transit administration was there, and they all apparently wanted to say a few words individually. Still, was a nice celebration, and it's very nice to see bipartisan recognition of the importance of transit infrastructure. The efficiency and throughput of a good (or even okay) rail system is incredible, and it's a huge benefit to riders and drivers alike.

Getting the project done makes it seem like so much more might be possible. The second GLX branch to Medford later this summer, obviously, but also maybe Green from Union to Red at Porter? Blue to Charles (or even Kendall)? North-south rail link to unify the commuter rail network and connect the Amtrak Northeast Corridor all the way out to Maine? If people want good transit infrastructure, it can be done.