The Mass. House has passed a $18.28 billion transportation bond bill dedicated to maintaining and improving the Commonwealth’s roads, bridges, and public transportation systems.
The legislation, An Act authorizing and accelerating transportation investment, ensures that Massachusetts invests in large-scale transportation capital and improvement projects, municipal road and bridge projects, commuter rail parking facilities, regional transportation authorities, as well as programs aimed at reducing congestion and improving air quality.
“These investments strengthen Massachusetts transportation systems across the Commonwealth that are in urgent need of resources,” said Speaker DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “I am grateful to my colleagues in the House for their work to invest in the future of Massachusetts’ transportation system. I am proud of the work Chairs Michlewitz and Chair Straus did to assemble this package of funding.”
Among other spending, the bill appropriates:
$2.6 billion dedicated to sustainable transit system modernization investments and rail improvements
$300 million in Chapter 90 funding for municipal road and bridge projects.
Funding authorizations for major infrastructure improvements including
$175 million for rail projects including Springfield to Worcester service, Boston to Cape Cod service, and Pittsfield to New York City service;
$825 million for South Coast Rail improvements;
$695 million for Green Line extension improvements;
$400 million for improvements at South Station;
$250 million for the Allston Multimodal Project to serve rail, bus, and automobile transportation and feature bicycle and pedestrian accessibility; and
$350 million for infrastructure improvements to the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges.
$330 million dedicated to the improvement of regional transit networks
A new MassDOT grant program to fund “first mile, last mile” projects.
$25 million in assistance for transportation management associations
$50 million each respectively for the MBTA and municipalities for mass transit and commuter rail parking, including accommodations for mobility devices and expedited pickup and drop-off zones.
$50 million in municipal grants for rapid transit bus lanes and bus shelters.
$30 million for water transportation grant programs.
“The investments we are making today will help us build a stronger, more resilient transportation system,” said Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Ways & Means (D-Boston). “By passing this bond authorization, we are ensuring that every corner of the Commonwealth receives much needed additional transportation resources.”
“Funding authorization provided by the House in this bond bill will help to address the critical infrastructure needs of our roads, bridges and mass transit system throughout Massachusetts,” said Representative William Straus (D-Mattapoisett), Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. “These investments are built on a foundation of enhanced revenue support, which the House also approved as a part of this year’s transportation package for the state.”
“As we all know, there are significant transportation investment needs throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said Representative Antonio F.D. Cabral (D-New Bedford), Chairman of the House Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. “I thank Speaker DeLeo for prioritizing this important bill, which invests a great deal in our state’s roads, bridges, transit and commuter rail systems, and pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure.”
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