Trump lists Green Line extension project on infrastructure priorities

The Green Line extension into Somerville and Medford is among 50 infrastructure projects throughout the country that the Trump administration has deemed a priority.

To go forward with the long-stalled $2.3 billion work, the MBTA is banking on about $1 billion in federal funds.

Project leaders are meeting with Federal Transit Administration officials this week to review the revised scope and costs of the project, MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said.

“The project team is well prepared for these meetings, and looks forward to a productive discussion with FTA officials,” Pesaturo said, noting the meetings were scheduled over a month ago. He did not indicate when the MBTA expected to receive the final word on federal grants.

The list, published by the Kansas City Star, was compiled by President Donald Trump’s team and totals at least $137.5 billion worth of projects. It will be further prioritized by the administration. On the campaign trail, Trump indicated he would make repairing America’s highways, airports and bridges a priority.

Also on the list is widening a 20-mile segment of Interstate 93 in New Hampshire and repairing 15 bridges on Interstate 95 in Philadelphia. In New York, four projects include the planned expansion and renovation of the Northeast Corridor rail line between Newark, New Jersey and New York City; along with the continued expansion of the Second Avenue subway line.

The project has been plagued by budget overruns that have stalled its progression.

In August 2015, the MBTA halted the project when state officials realized they were about $1 billion over budget. A scaled-down version of the project includes seven new stations, which the project’s new manager announced last month would be open by 2021.