Blue Line to Lynn extension funds nixed

LYNN – It has the support of the North Shore?s congressman and top state officials, but the Blue Line rapid transit extension, as of Friday, is off a regional transportation spending wish list.The Boston Regional Metropolitan Planning Organization advises federal transportation officials on project spending. Federal officials ordered the group two years ago to look carefully at federal tax dollar spending priorities for road, rail and other projects.Organization Vice Chairman Marc Draisen said $700 million listed in the priority list for the Blue Line was cut Friday during an Organization meeting as part of “a realistic assessment of funds currently available.”Elimination from the list has no immediate impact on planning for a rail extension to Boston that has a nearly half century history of support. State officials in July announced $300,000 in state money would be spent on a Blue Line environmental study funded already underway with federal support.During that announcement, top state transportation officials and U.S. Rep. John Tierney reasserted the economic and environmental benefits of extending rapid transit through Lynn. The extension, they said, would reduce traffic and pollution and trigger new business starts and expansions in Lynn.?In anticipation of the (Metro Planning) announcement, we have worked with regional, state and local authorities to ensure that plans for the Blue Line continue to progress,” Tierney spokeswoman Catherine Ribeiro said Friday.Draisen said the Organization?s decision to reorder the priority list without the Blue Line and 16 other projects is aimed in part at prompting state and federal officials to recognize a national transportation funding crisis.?Everyone should recognize that the state?s transportation system is woefully underfunded. We are over-burdened by years of debt, and the value of the gas tax – unchanged since 1991 – has not kept pace with inflation,” said Draisen.He said tax dollars not spent on transportation mean costs related to pollution and transportation inconveniences to businesses increase.Other North Shore projects cut from Boston Region Metro Planning?s list include $157 million in recommended improvements to Route 128 between Beverly and Peabody; $51 million in Route 1 and 114 improvements between Danvers and Peabody; $101 million in Revere Beach Parkway improvements and $71 million in suggested road improvements in Mahoney Circle, Route 1, Route 1A and Route 16.?For the safety of our citizens, and to keep our state competitive in the post-recession economy, we must invest in our transportation system, both roads and public transit,” he said.