The newly-opened Lechmere MBTA station on Monday.Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The first phase of the MBTA's Green Line Extension (GLX) opened Monday morning in Cambridge and Somerville, as part of a years-long effort to extend the T's reach.
The first train from Lechmere left just before 5:00 AM Monday morning.
The new Lechmere Station in Cambridge and Union Square Station in Somerville are the first of six planned stations in Cambridge, Somerville and Medford. The project itself will cost a total of more than $2 billion.
MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said the new stations means improved access to the the MBTA for the neighborhoods north of Boston.
"Right now you can get from Union Square all the way down to Health Street in Jamaica Plain with a one-seat ride. It's really exciting," he said.
Poftak said riders can either validate their Charlie Card or Charlie ticket before boarding or swipe their card onboard the trains at the station.
WBZ's James Rojas (@JamesRojasNews) has more:
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