Local Opposition Delays MBTA's Subway Addition

The MBTA has postponed plans for its proposed extension of the Red Line north of Harvard Square because of resistance from Cambridge government and residents.

A 1967 plan proposed running the subway underground to Porter Square and then on the surface to Alewife Brook Pankiway.

'Cut and Cover'

The city's opposition mainly concerns the MBTA's proposed "cut and cover" technique of constructing the underground portion. This method of digging through the surface and then covering the subway tunnel is less costly than boring through without affecting the surface.

Cut and cover would be disruptive to businesses in Harvard Square and would confound an already bad traffic situation on Mass Ave for about a year a Cambridge city planning office spokesman said.

North Cambridge residents object to the surface portion of the line as dangerous and noisy.

Federal Funds

Despite President Nixon's signing of an urban transit bill on Thursday, transportation authorities must still compete for federal money by submitting comprehensive plans for construction. Federal grants must be matched on a two-thirds to one-third basis with local money.

Only the state legislature can authorize the MBTA to issue the necessary bonds, and the MBTA already stands on thin ice with the legislature. Resistance from Cambridge would make a legislative go-ahead unlikely.

In an attempt to iron out differences,the city of Cambridge and the MBTA have established a "cooperation agreement." All proposals and information will be channeled through one negotiator for each party.

According to the spokesman from the Cambridge city planning office, residents prefer a totally underground route, which is more costly to the MBTA. This might mean the elimination of the proposed Porter Square stop.

"The longer the delay in this matter, the less likely is our chance for receiving federal funds," said Donald Graham, MBTA chief of planning and development.

To date the transit authority has received $108 million from the government.