Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone ?appeared on Boston Herald Radio’s “Morning Meeting” program yesterday morning to discuss the MBTA’s Green Line extension with hosts Jaclyn Cashman and Hillary Chabot. Here are some excerpts from the interview:

Q: We wanted to just sort of check in with you, after the news regarding the Green Line last week, about the four contractors that essentially have cut ties with the MBTA, and … what you can do as mayor to try and help ensure that this Green Line extension gets built, and to provide the much needed service to your constituents. Any way in which you’re able to sort of reach out to some of the major businesses that would greatly benefit from this Green Line extension and maybe they’d be willing to sort of help out similar to businesses helping out with Assembly Row?

A: Yes, well those conversations have been happening now for a couple of months. You know, we’ve been working closely and collaboratively with Gov. (Charlie) Baker’s administration, his team at MassDOT, Secretary (Stephanie) Pollack and the FMC being a MassDOT board, and Frank DePaola as well, and they’ve been constructive. You know, the news last week, the actions I should say, a few days ago, were as expected. And I’d submit that, you know, everyone is working together, we’re making great progress.

Q: So what else can be done to try to get this accomplished, and how close are you to getting a deal with a private company to help support this expansion?

A: Well, there’d be more than one contributor, and those conversations … I mean, we’ll have actions now and into the future. You can imagine, for instance, in Union Square, we have only master developer, but we have other development entities that may play a role in contributing down the road to infrastructure in general. But we, you know … I think, again the FMC being the MassDOT board, you know, the state made some important steps last week, and made some clear statements about the work that’s out there now being continued to retain services of some of the contractors. I understand the FMC being a MassDOT board, has a meeting today, and they’ll take further steps or votes today, I believe, or some action, and the goal is to build the best Green Line extension which serves the entire commonwealth quite candidly, and benefits the entire commonwealth, while being fiscally responsible. We agree with the approach that’s been taken so far.