State Announces 1.9 Mile, $39 Million Path Along Green Line Extension Project

State officials announced Wednesday that a new 1.9 mile path will be built alongside the Green Line Extension project in Somerville and Cambridge.

The path, for pedestrians and bicyclists, will connect four Green Line Extension stations: Lowell Street, Gilman Square, Washington Street and the relocated Lechmere, and create a continuous route from Bedford to Boston, via the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway, Alewife Linear Path and Somerville Community Path.

State Department of Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard Davey made the announcement, along with Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone and MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott, at a press conference Wednesday in Somerville.

The path is expected to cost $39 million, half of which will be covered by federal funds. It will open in phases and is expected to be completed with the opening of the Green Line Extension project in 2020.

In addition to connecting the Green Line Extension stations, it will connect the Green and Red lines.

The path will extend from the Somerville Community Path. That path will extend from Cedar Street to Lowell Street this fall.

State transportation officials are in the process of designing the path, which will be maintained by the City of Somerville.

The path will be Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible and will include fencing, lighting, wireless alarm call boxes, bollards, trash receptacles, landscaping and benches.