David Pottier, Chief Financial Officer
MassDOT Investor Relations
MassDOT Investor Relations
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Boston's Sumner Tunnel will no longer need to be closed on weekends, as the major rehabilitation project that's required the key roadway to repeatedly close, including for extended stretches in each of the last two summers, is nearly complete, according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
Those closures have snarled traffic headed into Boston, affecting residents of East Boston, travelers to and from Logan International Airport and more.
But work is ahead of schedule, and this weekend became the last one for which the tunnel had to be closed, officials announced Monday. The final repair work on minor issues will take place under what the Department of Transportation referred to as normal operations for off-peak times.
"The Sumner Tunnel Restoration Project was a hugely important effort that ensures this vital piece of infrastructure is in the best possible condition going forward," MassDOT Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt said in a statement. "We know this project created inconveniences for the public and particularly the people of East Boston. We thank them for their patience and cooperation."
The two-year repair project could have included five more weekend closures, into mid-November, officials said.
MassDOT shared these numbers on the project, which extends the useful life of the tunnel, one of a handful of crossings under the Charles River, by at least 75 years.
The Healey-Driscoll administration today announced that it is delivering more than $13 million for 14 projects to support local transportation infrastructure and other needs. The awards come from revenue generated by the Fair Share Amendment and are matching funds for projects and initiatives eligible for federal discretionary grants offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
These matching funds are part of a total of $476.5 million in Fair Share dollars made available for transportation investment in the FY24 Massachusetts Budget.
“When we empower city and town leaders to address their unique infrastructure needs, we are helping them achieve a better quality of life for their residents,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re proud to partner with the Legislature to dedicate Fair Share funding to critical initiatives like these, which will help make our state’s transportation network safer and more robust – and our municipalities more interconnected.”
“The communities selected for these Fair Share awards have shown that they know how to put infrastructure money to good use,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “We look forward to seeing the improvements they will deliver for their residents with this funding.
“Local leaders are knowledgeable and proactive when it comes to improving the transportation infrastructure their constituents rely on, and I want to congratulate the winners from this round of Fair Share funding,” said Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We look forward to seeing the projects come to fruition to improve transit, create safer streets and expand transportation options.”
“The revenue from Fair Share funding is reserved for projects that can truly enhance the quality of the transportation and education systems that our communities rely on for a better future,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “These award recipients have demonstrated the potential for their transportation projects to make a difference for users and we are proud to play our part.”
Among the projects receiving these Fair Share funds are:
A number of regional planning agencies are also receiving Fair Share funds for safety action plans. These plans will cover multiple regions throughout Massachusetts, including:
Safety action plans use a data-based approach to improve roadway safety for all users.
The $476.5 million of Fair Share funds included in the FY24 budget supports a variety of projects and initiatives in addition to matches for federal discretionary grants awards. Fair Share line items fund bridge construction, preservation, and repair and supplemental aid for municipalities for local roads and bridges. For transit, Fair Share funds support MBTA capital investments, the exploration of means-tested fares for the MBTA, operating assistance for ferry service, and regional transit authority improvements.
Moody’s Ratings improves rating by two levels, saying “outlook is stable."
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is pleased to announce internationally recognized bond credit rating company, Moody’s Ratings, has upgraded the Metropolitan Highway System’s (MHS) Senior Revenue Bonds, moving the rating up two levels, from A2 to Aa3. Along with the new Aa3 rating, Moody’s has determined the “outlook is stable.”
“This rating upgrade should reassure the public that we are on the right trajectory with our budget for the Metropolitan Highway System,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “Moody’s expert analysis is valued and respected worldwide, and we are very pleased our financial management of the Metropolitan Highway System has been determined to be sound and that its liquidity profile is solid.”
MassDOT Chief Financial Officer David Pottier added, “We are pleased Moody’s Ratings believes in our ability to sustain the current liquidity profile while we continue to make major investments in the infrastructure for the Metropolitan Highway System assets. We are further pleased that Moody’s noted the important role of the governance of the MassDOT Board of Directors in achieving this upgrade. We are grateful for the review that was conducted and for the two notch rating upgrade.”
In announcing the upgrade, Moody’s stated, in part, that the upgrade, “reflects a track record of sound governance and financial performance of MHS and large contract assistance payments from the state which diminish bondholders' exposure to toll revenue volatility. The MHS currently has around $1.3 billion of bonds outstanding, of which $641 million are senior lien revenue bonds, and the balance are subordinated lien revenue bonds, rated Aa2 stable.” The ratings service added, “Governance is a key driver for the rating action and reflects the support by the state through contract assistance payments and the close relationship with the state as all board members are selected by the governor.”
The Metropolitan Highway System (MHS) is managed by MassDOT and includes:
The MHS transportation network consists of almost 250 lane miles of roadway, of which approximately two thirds are tolled. Tolled facilities include the Ted Williams Tunnel, Sumner/Callahan Tunnel System and the Boston Extension.
The MHS network also includes 227 bridges and viaducts and seven major tunnel structures, (three under Boston Harbor: Ted Williams, Sumner and Callahan; I-93 northbound and southbound tunnels, I-90 connector tunnel under Fort Point Channel and through South Boston, CANA tunnel beneath City Square through Charlestown).
Federal grant received for Route 20 and Grafton Street Interchange project, which extends to Flint Pond
The Healey-Driscoll administration is celebrating a $3.7 million award from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Route 20 and Grafton Street Interchange Project. The project will provide critical relief for areas of Worcester and Shrewsbury that have long been impacted by severe flooding. The grant was awarded under the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) Grant Program, as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and represents 80 percent of the total project’s costs.
“This award is a gamechanger for Worcester and Shrewsbury. We need to act now on critical transportation infrastructure projects like this, which will provide urgently needed relief for communities impacted by flooding and strengthen resilience,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are grateful for the support of leaders in Worcester and Shrewsbury our Congressional Delegation, and the Biden-Harris administration for helping us deliver on this project and others that will benefit generations to come.”
“We're proud to be receiving this grant that will increase road safety and resilience on this busy thoroughfare between Worcester and Shrewsbury,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “City and town leaders were strong partners in helping our administration advance this federal funding application, and we are looking forward to rebuilding the interchange and nearby road area, so this route no longer floods during major storms.”
“We have appreciated all the help from our congressional delegation in securing federal funding for our grant applications, including for this project which will allow us to rebuild the interchange and install flood relief infrastructure,” said Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We are grateful to our elected and municipal leaders who help us to deliver transportation infrastructure projects, especially this one, where images of the Route 20 interchange during heavy rainstorms show puddles several feet deep and extending hundreds of feet long.”
The Healey-Driscoll Administration has taken an aggressive approach to competing for federal funding that has been successful in securing nearly $3 billion in federal dollars from BIL, as well as the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act and other sources of federal funding, to advance job creation, workforce development, economic competitiveness, climate resiliency, decarbonization and equity in Massachusetts. The administration also has more than $2 billion requested in applications currently pending before federal agencies to fund ongoing projects in communities across the state.
“This award is an important result of our whole-of-government strategy to maximize the federal funding available to Massachusetts and put federal dollars to work in our communities improving infrastructure, increasing climate resiliency, and creating good paying jobs and equitable economic growth,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “Thank you to President Biden, Secretary Buttigieg and our partners in the Massachusetts congressional delegation for making possible this exciting award.”
“Our interchange plans including the addition of drainage infrastructure have had strong local support and we are pleased to have won this PROTECT funding as it provides an opportunity to deliver on the vision of this project and its significant benefits to the municipalities involved, the central Massachusetts region, and the state as a whole,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was designed to fund projects exactly like Route 20 and Grafton Street: enhancements that will make our roadways safer, more reliable, and more climate resilient while improving water quality for nearby communities,” said Senator Edward J. Markey. “I am proud to have worked with Senator Warren, Congressman McGovern, Governor Healey, Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt, and state and local officials to secure this funding.”
"With this federal funding, we’re improving our infrastructure, bolstering our resilience, and enhancing our water quality in Worcester and Shrewsbury for generations to come,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “I'm going to keep fighting for federal funding to ensure a more sustainable future alongside the Massachusetts delegation and the Healey-Driscoll administration."
“Roadway flooding stops commuters from getting to work, kids from getting to school, and emergency vehicles from providing assistance,” said Congressman James P. McGovern. “This investment of $3.7 million in federal funding will allow MassDOT to replace and expand the outdated drainage system for the Route 20 and Grafton St. interchange in Worcester. I know this section of road is prone to flooding, and thanks to the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, passed by House Democrats, overseen by Secretary Buttigieg, and signed into law by President Biden, we got this done.”
“These funds will bring great relief to the Grafton Street/Route 20 area under the Route 122 overpass which is prone to flooding during storms and poor drainage, impacting residents’ travel,” said Worcester City Manager Eric D. Batista. “Thank you to our federal and state partners for bringing this project forward and investing in climate resilient infrastructure that will benefit residents for years to come.”
"Shrewsbury's newly adopted Climate Action and Resiliency Plan notes the need to prepare for the current and coming impacts of climate change including flooding, which happens often along this section of Route 20,” said Shrewsbury Select Board Chair Beth Casavant. “With increased commercial and residential development, this funding will make our community safer by modernizing aging infrastructure to meet the challenges of today's climate. State and local partnerships like this lead to better outcomes for all. "
The Flood Relief on Route 20, Grafton Street, (Route 122), Interchange to Flint Pond Project presents a powerful opportunity to alleviate flooding, improve water quality, and increase transportation infrastructure climate resilience for a deficient stretch of critical roadway while supporting projected growth in the Central Massachusetts region.
There is a history of flooding in these areas, which often results in road closures, delays, safety concerns, and vehicle damage. Records show that much of the existing drainage infrastructure was built in the 1930s, predating much of the development currently abutting this portion of the highway, and is unable to sufficiently drain the highly developed watershed. In recent years, flood frequency at the project location has increased, with the Route 20 and Grafton Street Interchange experiencing serious flooding 6 to 10 times a year. Flooding on August 19, 2021, caused several vehicles to become disabled and passengers needed the assistance of First Responders to safely get to dry land.
Through this project, a dedicated trunk line and numerous new drainage inlets will be installed, including improvements to existing drainage infrastructure. These improvements will increase the ability of the low-lying area to drain during storm events, greatly reducing flooding frequency and duration. A stilling basin will also be added at the outfall location, which includes both existing and proposed outfalls, to reduce the potential for soil erosion at the outfall.
This project is the result of a robust conversation with the community, analysis by transportation and water resources professionals, and deep engagement by stakeholders. Since 2018, MassDOT has spent approximately $96,000 on flood evaluation and preliminary design. MassDOT will be spending approximately $700,000 to advance the design to the 100 percent design stage, complete subsurface utility inspection, site-specific survey, and complete state and local environmental permitting.
The PROTECT program provides $1.4 billion in funding over five years. This program provides funding to ensure surface transportation resilience to natural hazards including climate change, sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters through support of planning activities, resilience improvements, community resilience and evacuation routes, and at-risk coastal infrastructure. For more information is available here.
Plan to help guide MassDOT’s decision making and investments through 2050. Comment period one step in robust public engagement efforts.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is pleased to announce the five-week public comment period for Beyond Mobility, the Massachusetts 2050 Transportation Plan. Community members are encouraged to offer thoughts on Beyond Mobility by using an online survey tool, which can be found at www.mass.gov/beyond-mobility.
“The most important element of Beyond Mobility is reflecting the input of the people of Massachusetts,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “What we hear from residents, business owners, municipal officials, and other members of the community will help us better act on the steps we need to be taking with this strategic plan, including action items associated with funding, service delivery, and operations.”
Beyond Mobility will result in a blueprint for guiding transportation decision making and investments in Massachusetts in a way that advances MassDOT’s goals and maximizes the equity and resiliency of the transportation system. The project team, considering what the world will be like in 2050, has analyzed previous plans, public engagement responses, and results from a needs assessment and has identified six key priority areas of Massachusetts to focus on over the long term. These are: safety, destination connectivity, travel experience, reliability, supporting clean transportation, and resiliency. Within the Plan, vision statements, values, problem statements, and over 100 action items have been developed and are organized by these six priority areas.
The launch of Beyond Mobility’s public comment period is part of a coordinated effort by MassDOT titled “MassDOT@15,” to both commemorate the 15th anniversary of MassDOT (on November 1, 2024) and look to the future of transportation in the Commonwealth. Beyond Mobility is the blueprint for guiding transportation decision making and prioritization and is one of three major policy and strategy efforts associated with MassDOT@15. The other two are the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Transportation Funding Task Force and the Strategic Business Plan. These three strategy components – Beyond Mobility, the Transportation Funding Task Force, and the Strategic Business Plan – will outline who we are, what we do, and how we pay for it and will be aligned to the mission, values and goals of MassDOT.
The five-week public comment period for Beyond Mobility begins April 1 and will conclude on May 5. Community members may share comments on specific sections of Beyond Mobility or on the document as a whole. The feedback received will be reviewed and incorporated into the final plan materials as appropriate.
Franklin Regional Council of Governments Executive Director Linda Dunlavy said, “Beyond Mobility is an essential blueprint for transportation planning for the Commonwealth that prioritizes closing gaps and expanding accessibility. The plan was developed based on data and robust public input throughout the process. I commend MassDOT and Secretary Tibbits-Nutt for the work that has been completed, and I encourage additional feedback in this final stage of outreach.”
Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative Executive Director James Fuccione said, “Our aging population brings us opportunity to rethink and reshape our communities to benefit people of all ages. The Beyond Mobility plan embeds an all-ages approach to improving transportation and acknowledges longstanding issues for older adults, like pedestrian safety, snow and ice management, and access to reliable and affordable transportation options. We look forward to promoting the draft plan in our network for additional feedback.”
Since the launch of Beyond Mobility, in 2022, MassDOT has put public feedback at the center of the Plan. The project team has conducted robust public engagement, including focus groups with traditionally underrepresented communities, community activations that meet people where they are across Massachusetts, web-based surveys and mapping exercises, and other participatory outreach activities.
To learn more about Beyond Mobility and to access the final draft plan materials and links to the online survey tool, please visit: https://beyond-mobility-massdot.hub.arcgis.com/.
For questions related to Beyond Mobility, email: BeyondMobility@dot.state.ma.us.
FAA announces Round 3 grants for Fiscal Year 2024 in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is pleased to announce a total of more than $3,260,000 million in federal funding awards for six municipal airports in the state. The funding is from Round 3 during Fiscal Year 2024 of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Infrastructure Grant program, one of three aviation programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The law provides $15 billion over five years for this program.
The preliminary funding amounts for each of the six Massachusetts municipal airports receiving the federal grants are the following:
Lawrence Municipal Airport, in North Andover: $475,000 to improve airport drainage and erosion control.
Norwood Municipal Airport, in Norwood: $360,000 to extend the airport runway.
Marshfield Municipal Airport - George Harlow Field, in Marshfield: $294,000 for snow removal needs.
Fitchburg Municipal Airport, in Fitchburg: $216,000 to reconstruct the airport apron.
Orange Municipal Airport, in Orange: $45,000 to install a runway vertical/visual guidance system.
Cape Cod Gateway Airport, in Hyannis: $1,874,000 for contract tower rehabilitation.
“Our general aviation airports are essential for travel and economic activity across all of Massachusetts. They create jobs, linking residents, visitors, and the business community,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “I am grateful to the municipal partnerships that make all of these capital investments possible and appreciate steps taken by our congressional delegation to help Massachusetts win federal grants.”
“Municipal airports play a significant role in our state’s aviation network and broader transportation system, which is why continued investment in their operations is absolutely vital,” said MassDOT Aeronautics Administrator Jeff DeCarlo. “We look forward to supporting the winning airports as they work to bring these improvement projects to life.”
"Congratulations to the six awardees and thank you to the Biden Administration for making possible these important improvements for Massachusetts airports." said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. "We look forward to continuing our whole-of-government approach to compete for federal funding and bring federal investment to communities across Massachusetts. "
The Healey-Driscoll Administration has secured nearly $3 billion in federal funding grants since taking office and currently has a total of more than $2 billion in current requests pending for federal funds for infrastructure, climate, and economic development projects.
The FAA awards announced on March 20 are among other federal funding awards, including a $108 million award towards West-East rail, a $375 million award for the Sagamore Bridge project, $249.4 million for the MBTA in discretionary grant funding, and a $116 million grant for the MBTA’s purchase of battery-electric buses.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration continues to wait for federal government review of other transportation grant applications, including an application for $1.06 billion in grant funding through the Bridge Investment Program (BIP) Large Bridge Project Program for replacement of the Sagamore Bridge. MassDOT is the lead applicant, applying jointly with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as the owner of the bridge.
About MassDOT Aeronautics
A division of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, MassDOT Aeronautics works to make air transportation safer, cleaner, more efficient, and more economically advantageous for the people, communities, and businesses of Massachusetts. MassDOT Aeronautics employs the highest standards in safety, engineering, and financial management to regulate and promote air transportation in the Commonwealth. The Agency maintains and oversees 35 of the State’s 38 public-use airports, supports economic development and job growth, reduces aviation’s environmental impact, and explores the introduction of advanced aviation systems.
The MassDOT Aeronautics Drone Operations Program uses Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS, or drones) to support state and local agencies, municipalities, and quasi-governmental entities. The Drone Program provides services such as assessing the condition of critical state infrastructure, including rail and transit facilities, roads, bridges, and airports. The Drone Program also leverages MassDOT Aeronautics’ Data and Analytics Team, turning collected imagery into insightful data and actionable information for public transportation stakeholders and decision-makers.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration is today celebrating news that it has won $335.4 million in federal funding for the Allston Multimodal Project in Boston.
The project will replace the Allston Viaduct, which carries the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) from the Allston Interchange to the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and makes transportation infrastructure improvements to nearby roads and the railroad corridor. Additionally, the project will create new and improved access to expanded waterfront parks and open space in an Environmental Justice community. It includes construction of the MBTA’s West Station along the Worcester Commuter Rail Line, a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge, and four acres of new parkland.
The award announced today follows the administration’s application in September 2023 to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant Program” (RCN) that provides funding to remove or mitigate highways and other transportation infrastructure that create barriers for community connectivity. The federal program includes $3.3 billion in funding for FY23 from both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.
The successful application for RCN grant funding announced today was the result of close coordination with the City of Boston, Harvard University, and Boston University, in addition to other local partners.
“This is another major win for Massachusetts. The Allston Multimodal Project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve transportation infrastructure in the Allston community and better connect residents across the state with housing and job opportunities,” said Governor Maura Healey. "We’re grateful for the partnership of the Biden-Harris administration, our Congressional delegation, the City of Boston and other partners to drive progress on this important project.”
“Our administration continues to bring people together and drive progress on critical infrastructure projects that have long been stalled in our state. The Allston Multimodal Project is part of our commitment to making investments that are good for the economy and good for our residents, whether they want to travel on foot, on bike, on public transportation, or by automobile,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This federal grant will help build a project that will have widespread benefits in the decades ahead, improving access to the Charles River, between Boston and points west, and for everyone taking trips in the Allston area.”
“The Allston neighborhood will no longer be cut off from the Charles River and other nearby destinations by an elevated highway when the multimodal project is built,” said Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “The Allston Multimodal Project will be transformational for people who live, work, and travel in this area of Boston and the federal grant puts us on the way to getting the necessary funds to advance the project’s design and construction.”
“The City of Boston is grateful to our federal delegation and to MassDOT for their support in moving this transformational project forward,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. “The Allston Multimodal Project will improve public transit, expand parkland, reconnect residents to beautiful open space along the Charles River, and create new opportunities for housing and jobs—and bring much-needed fixes for crumbling infrastructure. We will continue to work with the Allston community to refine a design that improves for our City for generations to come."
The multimodal project will result in many benefits, including, reconnecting a neighborhood currently separated by an interstate highway and advancing environmental justice, increasing access to regional multimodal transportation, providing a unique opportunity for equitable economic and workforce development, and building on comprehensive community engagement for the future transportation network in this area.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration has secured nearly $3 billion in federal funding grants since taking office and currently the administration has $2 billion in pending grant requests. The Allston Multimodal RCN application is among other federal funding awards for transportation projects:
a $108 million award towards West-East rail,
a $375 million award for the Sagamore Bridge project,
$249.4 million for the MBTA in discretionary grant funding, and,
A $116 million grant for the MBTA’s purchase of battery-electric buses.
In addition to the RCN grant of $335.4 million announced today for the Allston Multimodal Project, other RCN grant awards have included:
$452,000 - Haverhill- Removing the Scars of Urban Renewal
$561,000- Lynn- Riverworks Reimagined
$1.2 million- Everett- Uniting Neighborhoods and Transit Opportunities
$2.4 million- Cambridge- Fitchburg Commuter Rail- Pedestrian crossing
$2.5 million- Boston- Chelsea Creek Waterfront
The Healey-Driscoll Administration continues to wait for federal government review of other transportation grant applications, including an application for $1.06 billion in grant funding through the Bridge Investment Program (BIP) Large Bridge Project Program for replacement of the Sagamore Bridge. MassDOT is the lead applicant, applying jointly with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as the owner of the bridge.
To learn more about the Allston Multimodal Project, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-the-allston-multimodal-project
In 2023, the Healey-Driscoll Administration established, “The Federal Funds & Infrastructure Office,” (FFIO) to lead an ambitious inter-agency strategy for the Commonwealth to successfully compete for the historic levels of federal funding available from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the CHIPS and Science Act, and more. FFIO is responsible for tracking federal opportunities, facilitating the submission of successful applications for federal funding, and advocating on behalf of Massachusetts projects that advance key priorities including infrastructure, jobs, economic competitiveness, affordable housing, clean energy, decarbonization, resilience, equity, and workforce development.
FFIO chairs the Advisory Council on Federal Funds and Infrastructure which includes designees from each executive office and serves as the government-wide coordinating body for the Commonwealth's federal funds strategy.
FFIO also leads the monthly Massachusetts Federal Funds Partnership meeting which provides information on available federal funding opportunities and advises local government on which federal grant programs can best help them meet their needs. To learn more, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/federal-funds-infrastructure-office
“This successful award for the Allston multimodal project and the five other Reconnecting Communities awards are the result of our whole-of-government strategy to maximize the federal funding available to Massachusetts for improving infrastructure, providing increased access to multimodal transportation, and furthering our climate goals, all while creating good paying jobs and equitable economic growth.” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “Thank you to President Biden, Secretary Buttigieg and our partners in the Massachusetts congressional delegation for making possible this exciting award. We look forward to continuing these strong partnerships to secure funding for communities across Massachusetts.”
To learn more about MassDOT’s process for allocating federal and state funding, please visit the webpage for the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The STIP is a list of projects prepared yearly by The Office of Transportation Planning. The list includes projects such as multi-use paths, bridges, roads, sidewalks and transit investments. The STIP is a combined effort between MassDOT and many state agencies that work together to design and build highways and transit projects: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/state-transportation-improvement-program-stip.
“The $335 million we’ve secured for Allston will be transformational to the city and make the kind of changes to peoples’ lives that they can see and feel,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “Families in Boston, especially those who are disadvantaged, deserve this funding to connect their communities with public transit and new bike lanes, to open more public spaces for our kids to play outside, and to create thousands of good, new jobs.”
“With this funding for the Allston Multimodal Project, we’re healing the scars of antiquated highway projects that ripped apart Black, brown, and low-income communities. We’re advancing an effort that centers environmental justice communities in Allston and Brighton, better connecting these neighborhoods with each other, with the rest of Greater Boston, and with our Commonwealth as a whole,” said Senator Ed Markey. “This monumental project will benefit environmental justice communities in Allston and Brighton, expand public transit access, enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists and improve travel for people traveling between Boston and places west of the city. I was proud to advocate to Secretary Buttigieg personally on behalf of this project, and I am grateful for the shared advocacy with Senator Warren and our entire congressional delegation.”
“Transit justice is a matter of racial justice, economic justice, and public safety, and this critical federal investment will bring us closer to realizing our collective vision for transportation that works for every user,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley, founding Co-Chair of the Future of Transportation Caucus. “I am proud to have helped secure this federal funding, which will help address the dysfunction of the current lay-out and give us the opportunity to build equitable, accessible, and safe commuting options that Allston Brighton residents and folks across the Massachusetts 7th deserve. I am grateful to our community members and transit justice advocates for their years of organizing that has helped make a more sustainable and equitable future possible.”
The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced an investment of $50 million in initiatives to build out electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across Massachusetts. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will increase access to charging infrastructure for more residents, electrify the state fleet, improve operation of public charging stations, manage the impact of charging infrastructure on the electric grid, and provide charging solutions for difficult to electrify vehicle types.
“State and rideshare vehicles contribute a disproportionate amount of transportation emissions, so by investing in the electrification of these vehicles, we can have a much more cost-effective impact on emissions,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration is committed to leading by example in addressing climate change, and we are pleased that these funds will also allow Massachusetts to more quickly electrify its fleet.”
“Many Massachusetts drivers want to make the switch to electric vehicles, but worry about access to charging,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This investment will break down barriers to widespread electric vehicle adoption and help Massachusetts meet its ambitious greenhouse gas emissions targets.”
The $50 million in ARPA funds will support innovative EV technology programs at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), charging infrastructure investments for the state fleet through Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) and the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), testing equipment and staff at the Division of Standards (DOS) to conduct inspections of public charging stations, and future analysis of EV charging needs by the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Coordinating Council (EVICC).
“Vehicle emissions not only contribute significantly to climate change, but also impact public health, especially in environmental justice communities,” said **Secretary for Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper. **“With this funding, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is creating more equitable access to clean transportation and ensuring drivers in all communities across Massachusetts have the option to choose an electric vehicle.”
“This funding will help make a bigger impact in the lives of our residents across the state as it relates to the future of transportation,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “Taking the steps to increase measures like fast-charging stations and decarbonization will position us to offer better choices to residents that will be good for the environment and for us as we all work to respond to climate change.”
“Decarbonization and addressing climate change are core priorities of DCAMM’s operations,” said DCAMM Commissioner Adam Baacke. “We are excited to be a part of this important investment in EV charging infrastructure.”
“This significant investment from the Healey-Driscoll Administration will help make the transition to electric vehicles a more accessible and affordable opportunity for the Commonwealth’s residents and business owners,” said MassCEC CEO Dr. Emily Reichert. “These ARPA funds will directly impact our work to increase curbside charging stations, expand mobile charging for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, speed up the electrification of taxi and rideshare fleets, and advance emerging technology that allows EV owners to use their car to power other sources."
The following initiatives will receive funding:
Electric Vehicle Curbside Parking for Residents in Multi-Unit Dwellings - $12.5 million
MassCEC will work to help municipalities expand access to EV charging for residents with limited access to home charging, particularly in environmental justice and urban communities. Pole-mounted and streetlight chargers represent a promising strategy to use existing assets to expand access to curbside charging, but this potential is limited by barriers such as regulatory hurdles, complex ownership structures and unclear business and financial models.
The project aims to increase the number of overnight curbside charging stations, including accessible pole-mounted and streetlamp EV charging solutions. A technical consultant will deploy on-street charging near multi-unit dwelling neighborhoods and provide guidance to municipalities for future implementation.
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electrification Mobile Charging Solutions - $9.5 million
Medium and Heavy-Duty (MDHD) vehicles make up 3% of Massachusetts vehicles, yet produce 20% of on-road vehicle emissions, making their electrification critical to reaching the state’s climate goals and to improve air quality in environmental justice communities, especially those near warehouses and ports. One major challenge to achieving electrification in this sector is project delays due to limits in grid infrastructure. Mobile charging represents a promising technology that could help fleet operators avoid delays and resist the urge to overbuild through temporary mobile charging solutions. MassCEC will complete a market characterization study paired with deployment projects to demonstrate mobile charging financial models and use cases.
Ride-For-Hire Vehicle Electrification Charging Solutions - $8 million
Uber, Lyft and taxi drivers drive a lot of miles, spend a lot of money on gasoline, and need a lot of charging. MassCEC will deploy EV charging to support the electrification of taxi and transportation network company (TNC) fleets. Electrification of this sector can help support the deployment of electric vehicles in urban areas and environmental justice communities. For example, studies in California show that while TNC drivers make up less than 3% of electric vehicle (EV) drivers, they account for over 40% of all public fast charger use. This project will fund level 2 and fast charging infrastructure projects with a focus on deploying charging resources in environmental justice communities, where a high percentage of TNC drivers reside.
Vehicle-To-Everything (V2X) Analysis and Demonstration Projects - $8 million
The widespread deployment of bidirectional technology would allow EV owners to use their car battery as a resource to reduce home energy costs or sell electricity onto the grid. V2X systems both charge and discharge an EV’s battery, enabling EVs to act as a grid resource by sending energy stored in the onboard battery to the local utility grid or to a grid-connected asset such as a building. This would have the potential transform our relationship with the grid, providing EV drivers with a mobile source of storage and opening up potential revenue streams to support EV adoption for low-income drivers. MassCEC will complete a market characterization analysis and demonstration projects that support vehicle-to-grid and/or vehicle-to-building projects designed to reduce peak demand and provide grid services.
EV Charging at Priority State Facilities - $9.5 million
DCAMM will seek to install fleet EV charging infrastructure in 60 or more high priority sites at state facilities. Each site would receive an average of 4 EV ports and 4 make-ready spots, making it easy to double the number of charging stations in the future.
EV Charging for Other State Vehicles - $1.5 million
DOER will provide funding to other agencies to install fleet EV charging infrastructure at approximately 60 sites, focusing on those not on the high priority list, non-executive branch fleets, and leased facilities.
EV Charging Testing Equipment – $604,000
DOS will purchase EV charging infrastructure testing equipment and hire staff to conduct inspections of public charging stations to ensure that they remain in working order and adhere to a common set of standards.
EV Charging Needs Analysis - $396,000
This funding will support the analytical needs of the EVICC through the end of 2026 to help it continue to assess the current state of EV charging infrastructure and future needs of Massachusetts as it promotes the electrification of the transportation sector.
Background on Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Coordinating Council
The EVICC was authorized by “An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind” in 2022. The Climate Law requires that the EVICC assess and report on strategies and plans necessary to deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure to establish an equitable, interconnected, accessible and reliable electric vehicle charging network. Since convening in May, the EVICC has held 10 public meetings on state EV infrastructure strategy.
In August 2023, the EVICC submitted an Initial Assessment to the Legislature which found that approximately 10,000 publicly accessible fast charging ports will be necessary to support the light-duty vehicle fleet by 2030, in addition to 35,000 publicly accessible Level 2 stations and more than 700,000 residential and workplace charging stations.
Earlier this year, the Administration expanded the Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles Program (MOR-EV Program), which provides rebates for the purchase or lease of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles (EVs). In addition to the existing $3,500 rebates for EVs, the new MOR-EV program includes the rebates at the point-of-sale with participating dealers, a $3,500 rebate for used EVs for income-qualifying residents, a $1,500 rebate adder for income-qualifying residents called MOR-EV+ that is in addition to the standard rebate for new or used electric vehicles; and increased rebates for certain light-duty pickup trucks.
“These initiatives tackle huge issues, like the convenience of charging for condo and apartment dwellers, the greening of Uber and Lyft, the task of keeping chargers in good working order, and the electrification of heavy-duty trucks. Ambitious stuff,” said State Senator Mike Barrett (D-Lexington), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy.
"Investing in EV infrastructure could not be more critical at this juncture to address the range and charging anxiety that makes drivers hesitate when deciding whether to purchase an electric vehicle," said State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. "I thank the Administration for building on the Legislature's work in creating the charging infrastructure fund by developing targeted investments in curbside charging, fleet charging, medium- and heavy-duty mobile charging, and other innovation solutions to help Massachusetts drivers get into EVs."
Today, at the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)’s Annual Meeting, Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll announced that they will be filing a significant package of municipal reforms to help cities and towns generate the resources they need to maintain and deliver vital services, streamline operations and attract talented workers to local government.
The Municipal Empowerment Act will expand on tools available to municipal leaders to generate revenue by allowing them to increase local option taxes on meals and lodging. The bill would also create a new local Motor Vehicle Excise surcharge option – a provision that could benefit every city and town in the state. The bill would also make permanent a number of popular COVID-era allowances for hybrid public meetings, outdoor dining permits and to-go cocktail sales.
“Massachusetts is home to 351 cities and towns that are the bedrock of our state. From day one, our administration has been committed to giving them the support and resources they need to build strong communities and grow their economies,” said Governor Healey. “The Municipal Empowerment Act proposes multiple reforms that municipal leaders have asked for to improve the services they can provide to their communities and make operations more efficient. We are also proud to be increasing funding for roads, bridges, schools, and municipal services to improve quality of life in all of our communities.”
“I’ve spent the past year traveling the state and meeting with municipal leaders to hear directly from them about how the state can best support their needs. What we heard loud and clear was a desire for partnership to improve municipal finances and operations,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “The Municipal Empowerment Act is a direct result of these conversations. This package reduces red tape that municipal leaders far too often encounter and gives them more options to utilize tools that will make their communities stronger.”
The bill is a product of the municipal listening tour led last year by Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and other members of the administration. They heard from over 130 managers and administrators from 112 different municipalities and solicited input from professional associations representing local leaders and employees – receiving feedback from more than 20 such groups. What emerged from these sessions were concrete suggestions for how the state can better partner with our cities and towns – from solutions to acute workforce challenges, to relief from specific administrative burdens, to new tools to make local management more efficient and effective.
Governor Healey also detailed some of the Local Aid support cities and towns can expect to see when she files her annual budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025 next week. The administration’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget will recommend increasing Unrestricted General Government Aid by 3 percent to $1.31 billion. Consistent with Governor Healey’s State of the Commonwealth address on Wednesday night, the budget will also propose to fully fund the fourth year of the Student Opportunity Act, boosting Chapter 70 aid to local public schools to $6.86 billion, a $263 million or 4 percent increase over Fiscal Year 2024. Overall, Local Aid in the budget will total $8.7 billion, a 3 percent increase over the current fiscal year.
“The budget we will file next week will reflect this administration’s commitment to Local Aid and desire to keep our partnership with cities and towns at the forefront of so much we hope to accomplish,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “The funding we have identified for unrestricted aid and Chapter 70 for schools will complement the reforms proposed today in the Municipal Empowerment Act to make sure our communities remain vibrant, attractive places to live and work.”
The administration also plans to file a two-year, $400 million Chapter 90 bill alongside the Municipal Empowerment Act, proposing a multi-year authorization to help build in predictability for municipalities looking to plan longer-term projects. The annual Chapter 90 authorization would be supplemented by another $100 million for local road and bridge repairs through Fair Share surtax spending proposed in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, and an additional $24 million dedicated to rural communities. Additionally, Lt. Governor Driscoll has directed MassDOT and the Executive Office for Administration and Finance to assemble a working group of state and local officials to review Chapter 90 administration and recommend ways to reduce the complexity and burdens of applying for and receiving these vital transportation funds.
“Whether you drive, bike, walk, or take public transit, transportation impacts every part of our lives. I want to thank Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, and the legislature for supporting Chapter 90 funding,” said Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “This funding will help us to repair roads and bridges and make key capital improvements and investments across the state. I look forward to working with the Healey-Driscoll administration as we continue to deliver equitable, reliable, and resilient transportation options for all 351 of our cities and towns.”
The Municipal Empowerment Act is designed to arm local governments with greater tools and supports to chart their own course and make local management more efficient and effective.
Like state government, businesses and households across the state, municipalities have budgetary challenges that impact their ability to deliver services that residents depend on and expect. To empower communities to generate more local revenue, the bill includes several local options:
Increasing the maximum local option lodging tax on hotel, motel and other rentals from 6 percent to 7 percent of the price of a room (6.5 percent to 7.5 percent for Boston)
Increasing the maximum local option meals tax from .75 percent to 1 percent of the sales price of a meal at a restaurant or local store
Adding a new 5 percent local option Motor Vehicle Excise surcharge, a fee charged by every city and town on vehicles registered in their communities based on the vehicle’s value
Other highlights focused on fiscal and staffing stability include:
Creating new property tax exemptions for seniors to allow cities and towns to adopt a Senior Means Tested Property Tax Exemption for qualifying seniors and to increase existing senior property tax exemptions.
Addressing long-term benefit funding pressures by establishing a new OPEB Commission to take a fresh look at opportunities to address unfunded liabilities from non-pension employee benefits.
Allowing the creation of Regional Boards of Assessors to allow municipalities to create streamline duties and reduce significant staffing challenges.
Creating additional flexibilities in post-retirement employment by expanding the process for seeking exemptions to post-retirement employment rules.
The flexibility for municipalities that began during the COVID-19 public health emergency to permit outdoor dining and takeaway liquor sales, as well as hosting hybrid public meetings to encourage remote participation, would also be made permanent by this legislation.
Additional reforms proposed in the Municipal Empowerment Act include:
Clarifying that groups of cities and towns can award multiple contracts through an RFP process under Chapter 30B and purchase both supplies and services from collectively bid contracts;
Equalizing 30B thresholds for advertised procurements to $100 k for all municipal purchasing – not just schools;
Eliminating the requirement to publish notice of invitations for competitive bids on COMMBUYS;
Streamlining procurement for electric school buses and charging infrastructure by allowing single procurements for both under Chapter 30B.
Enforcement of double pole removal after 90 days by giving municipalities enforcement authority, with penalties for utilities that fail to comply.
Establishing central valuation of telecom and utility property through the Department of Revenue’s Division of Local Services (DLS) to relieve cities and towns of the cost of individually hiring experts and consultants.
Updating borrowing rules for school projects to increase from 30 years to 40 years the bond term to more closely reflects the life expectancy of the project.
The Governor intends to file the Municipal Empower Act and Ch. 90 bill on Monday. The full bill texts will be available at that time. More details on the provisions of the Municipal Empowerment Act can be found in the policy briefs on Fiscal & Staffing Stability, Local Flexibility and Operational Efficiency, Rural Supports and FY25 Local Aid.
Statements of Support
Adam Chapdelaine, Executive Director & CEO, Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)
“The MMA is deeply grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for this robust proposal, which would benefit each and every one of our Commonwealth’s 351 cities and towns. The Municipal Empowerment Act includes strong recommendations based on input from local officials, with a focus on supporting our communities, modernizing practices, and improving efficiency in the delivery of essential services provided by our cities and towns.”
Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, incoming President of Massachusetts Mayors Association
“Municipal government is entirely unique in that the work we do has a direct and immediate impact on the lives of our residents. We must be nimble and flexible, but most importantly, we must be efficient because municipal budgets are small and tight. The efforts here by the Healey-Driscoll Administration help us enhance and balance the needs of our residents and the changing financial landscape municipalities experience. I want to thank Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll for their commitment to supporting cities and towns in every corner of the Commonwealth.”
Michael Ward, Director of the Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management University of Massachusetts Boston
“This bill contains many great improvements and fixes to help municipalities operate more efficiently and effectively. In particular, the improvements to procurement and financial processes will reduce burdens on managers and finance officials, freeing up significant time and energy to focus on other critical issues. We are also thrilled to be able to assist the Administration with its new workforce development initiatives, given the overwhelming recruitment and retention problems facing local governments across the Commonwealth.”
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is pleased to announce approximately 20 miles of shared use paths opened in 2023 for the first time, expanding multimodal connectivity and opportunities for recreation across Massachusetts while enhancing pedestrian and cyclist safety. Throughout the course of 2023, MassDOT completed dozens of roadway projects that added new bike lanes, sidewalks, shared use paths, and crosswalks. Additionally, MassDOT continued to support improvements in school zones and the expansion of shared paths and trails through programs like Safe Routes to School, Shared Streets and Spaces, Complete Streets, and MassTrails, which have all helped to prioritize investments in municipalities to create safer, multimodal travel.
“I want to commend our dedicated teams at MassDOT for the progress they made over the course of 2023 to give our communities more miles of multimodal connectivity,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “These projects are designed to make our transportation network safer, more practical and more inclusive for all users. We have many achievements to be proud of – and great momentum for 2024.”
“When we expand and enhance our inventory of multimodal paths, we are not just removing barriers to biking and walking, but setting the foundations for healthier, safer, more prosperous communities,” said Peter Sutton, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator at MassDOT. “This success was possible thanks to our team’s great dedication, as well as the invaluable collaboration of the community leaders and advocates who continue to work with us on behalf of those who rely on our transportation systems.”
The 20 miles of shared paths that opened in 2023 was the result of completed projects, either constructed by MassDOT or jointly funded through the MassTrails program, along 14 different trails across Massachusetts. Some notable projects include the following:
In addition to the three projects highlighted above, there were 11 more projects completed in 2023 along the trails listed below, for a total of 14 projects that added 20 miles of shared paths in different communities:
In May of last year, the MassTrails Team officially launched its Priority Trails Network map. By the end of 2024, 25 additional miles of shared paths are expected to open across the state, further expanding multimodal connectivity.
Through the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program, MassDOT continues to support safe biking and walking for elementary and middle school students, awarding in 2023 five SRTS Signs and Lines grants, which provide design services and up to $10,000 in construction funding to each selected community, for roadway signage and pavement markings on key walking and bicycling routes near public elementary and middle schools. The program currently serves more than 1,140 schools in 281 communities across Massachusetts where projects have been funded. The application period for this year’s round of funding closed on October 6, and awards are expected to be made in early 2024. In addition to these infrastructure activities, the SRTS Program in 2023 continued to reach thousands of students across Massachusetts through 398 bicycle and pedestrian safety trainings, 149 arrival/dismissal observations, 62 detailed walk assessments, and the creation of 162 maps to assist schools in developing walking, biking, and rolling routes to school.
Through the Shared Streets and Spaces Funding Program, MassDOT continues to provide technical and funding assistance to help Massachusetts cities and towns conceive, design and implement tactical changes to curbs, streets, on-street parking spaces and off-street parking lots. Such improvements have shown to have a positive impact on public health, safe mobility and renewed commerce. To date, the program has awarded $50 million to support 494 projects in 183 municipalities across Massachusetts. This year’s round of funding, which closed on October 31, is currently being scored with 80 projects submitted statewide.
Through the Complete Streets Funding Program, MassDOT continues to support safe, convenient, and comfortable travel for users of all ages and abilities regardless of their mode of transportation. In 2023, MassDOT distributed a total of $15.95 million in awards to 36 municipalities. Grant awards from this program are used by recipient municipalities to fund local multimodal infrastructure projects that improve travel for bicyclists, pedestrians, public transit users, and individuals using other forms of transportation. Examples of project elements that can be implemented through the program include sidewalks, multimodal paths, bicycle lanes, improved street lighting, and pedestrian signalization at crosswalks or intersections.
The MassTrails Team consists of MassDOT, the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Continuing efforts to support the state’s growing network of trails, in 2023 the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $11 million in its fifth annual round of MassTrails Grants to 68 projects across Massachusetts. The grants provide assistance for the construction, maintenance and improvements for a variety of public trails throughout the state trails system, such as hiking trails, bikeways and shared-use paths.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that it is delivering a total of $100 million to the state’s 351 cities and towns to support local infrastructure. The awards come from revenue generated by the Fair Share Amendment.
“Our administration said from day one that we were going to make sure that Fair Share revenue was used to improve transportation and education for our communities, as the voters intended,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This funding is particularly impactful because we are empowering cities and towns to decide how to use it to address their unique needs. We are grateful to the Legislature for making this funding available and look forward to seeing how the municipalities will use it to strengthen their communities.”
“As a former Mayor, I know how much our cities and towns rely on state funding to support their infrastructure needs of their communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “This funding will be a critical boost for them to move forward on projects like bridge preservation projects, improving Regional Transit Authority service, and expanding multi-modal pathways.”
“We are so pleased to be able to give our cities and towns thousands of additional dollars for their transportation needs thanks to revenue from Fair Share,” said Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “Investments in transportation lift everyone up, increasing access to travel options and improving roadway safety for all users, regardless of whether they walk, bike, take public transportation or drive.”
“Fair Share revenue represents a new and important source of funding that has enabled our administration to make vital investments in education and transportation,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “I’m excited to see these important funds for transportation go out to our cities and towns to support their infrastructure needs.
Letters have been sent to each municipality certifying that community’s Fair Share apportionment for Fiscal Year 2024. The Fair Share Amendment funds are being distributed according to two formulas. The first $50 million is being distributed using the traditional Chapter 90 formula based on local road mileage (58.33%), population (20.83%), and employment (20.83%). The second $50 million is being distributed using a formula based on each municipality’s share of road mileage.
Each community is receiving a different total amount according to how the two formulas apportion the money. For example, Andover is receiving approximately $662,000, Barnstable more than $1 million, Framingham approximately $803,000, Lawrence approximately $542,000, Littleton approximately $210,000, Pittsfield approximately $657,000, Quincy approximately $783,000, Springfield approximately $1.6 million, and Worcester approximately $1.7 million. This apportionment is automatically incorporated into a municipalities’ existing Chapter 90 contract with MassDOT with no further action required by the municipality. Apportionments for all communities are available online at www.mass.gov/chapter-90-program. The funds are now available for municipal use.
Communities may use Fair Share revenue for construction, preservation, and improvement projects that create or extend the life of capital facilities. This includes costs for highway projects and pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Projects that are eligible would include installing sidewalks, bicycle lanes, new pavement, sidewalks, retaining walks, crossing signals, and other transportation infrastructure features.
The Fair Share FY 2024 amounts by municipality can be found here.
Massachusetts Transportation of Transportation (MassDOT) Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt is announcing the appointment of Hayes Morrison as Undersecretary of Transportation and Matthew Bamonte as MassDOT Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Morrison and Bamonte have each been serving for several years on the senior leadership team at MassDOT and assume their new positions immediately.
“MassDOT, as an organization, and I personally, am incredibly fortunate to have dedicated public servants like Hayes and Matt ready to step into these roles thanks to their years of experience in senior management,” said Secretary Tibbits-Nutt. “Hayes and Matt both bring a strong background in leading complicated initiatives, and, as experts in their fields, are ready and able to advance our most critical programs related to climate action, transportation safety, multimodalism, capital investment, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Public service is an honor, an honor that asks a great deal of those who accept it. I am grateful that Hayes and Matt are willing to embrace these challenges alongside me.”
Hayes Morrison is being promoted to the position of Undersecretary after more than 20 years of experience leading key projects and initiatives in the public sector. In the role of Undersecretary, she will oversee eight departments: Office of Transportation Planning, Office of Performance Management and Innovation, Office of the Chief Operating Officer, the Innovation Lab at MassDOT, Office of Federal Funding Coordination, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Compliance and Internal Audit, and Operational Excellence. She began work at MassDOT in November 2020 as Chief of Mobility and was then promoted to Assistant Secretary of Policy and Strategy, then to Acting Chief of Staff. During the last three years, she has led MassDOT in taking steps toward climate and resiliency goals and ensuring Bipartisan Infrastructure Law policies were represented in projects and programs. Before joining MassDOT, Morrison served from 2015 to 2020 at the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) where she was Deputy Director, Strategic and Business Planning. In that role, she led planning and policy decisions pertaining to infrastructure development, land use, and other important initiatives. Morrison’s career also included serving as Director of Transportation, Infrastructure, Parks, and Open Space for the City of Somerville for more than three years and serving as Transportation Finance Manager for the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization for more than four years.
Matthew Bamonte is being promoted to Chief Administrative Officer after serving in an acting CAO capacity since July 2022. Matt is a MassDOT veteran who has served in multiple roles for almost two decades in positions of increased responsibility, starting as Capital Budget Director in 2004, then Director of Finance for Real Estate and Asset Development in 2017, then Chief Administrative Officer for the Highway Division in 2020, then Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for MassDOT in 2021, to the role of Acting Chief Administrative Officer in 2022. Bamonte is well-known beyond MassDOT among other state colleagues as he has been engaged in many cross-department budget meetings, played a critical role in the development of the MassDOT capital program, and coordinated MassDOT’s federal program. He is a proven leader, having overseen several departments at MassDOT: Fiscal, Information Technology, Human Resources, Diversity and Civil Rights, Civil Rights, Real Estate and Economic Development, and General Services.
MassDOT has four divisions: Aeronautics, Highway, Rail and Transit and Registry of Motor Vehicles. Learn more about the Massachusetts Department of Transportation:
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-transportation
BOSTON — Governor Maura T. Healey today announced that she is appointing Monica Tibbits-Nutt as Secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) effective today. Tibbits-Nutt has been serving as Acting Secretary since mid-September and was previously Undersecretary for Transportation.
“Monica Tibbits-Nutt is a proven leader who has done important work at MassDOT over the past year as we’ve worked to make Massachusetts’ transportation system more reliable, safe and accessible,” said Governor Healey. “As Acting Secretary, she hit the ground running by working with the MBTA to prepare a first-of-its kind plan to fix the tracks by the end of next year, taking important steps to integrate climate planning across MassDOT, securing federal funding to support infrastructure needs, and stepping up for communities that were devastated by extreme weather. She prioritizes community engagement and equity at every turn. Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and I are confident that Secretary Tibbits-Nutt is the right person to lead the hardworking team at MassDOT and serve the people of Massachusetts.”
“Secretary Tibbits-Nutt has been a deeply valued member of our team from day one, and our entire administration is thrilled to see her step into this well-deserved role,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “She has earned the respect of her colleagues and community partners, and I know that our transportation system is in good hands under her leadership.”
“I am grateful to Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll for the opportunity to lead MassDOT as Secretary,” said Secretary Tibbits-Nutt. “Over the past year, I have had the privilege to serve alongside and get to know the incredible team at MassDOT. We all share a deep commitment to delivering the safe, reliable, resilient and equitable transportation system that the people of Massachusetts deserve. I am honored by the opportunity to lead the Department in this critical moment and build on the progress that the Healey-Driscoll Administration has made together.”
About Monica Tibbits-Nutt
Monica G. Tibbits-Nutt, AICP, LEED AP BD+Cwas sworn in as Acting Secretary for Transportation on September 11, 2023. She was previously appointed Undersecretary of Transportation by Governor Healey in January 2023. She also completed her tenure on the MassDOT Board of Directors and as the Vice-Chair of the Fiscal Management and Control Board (FMCB) that oversaw the MBTA from 2015-2021.
For the past two months as Acting Secretary, she has:
Facilitated emergency construction and relief in the wake of the catastrophic flash flooding and property damage caused by the October 11 rainstorm.
Received more than $108 million in funding from the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program, which will lay the groundwork for construction of West-East Rail.
Submitted federal funding applications for the Cape Cod Bridges, the Allston Multimodal Project, the Vernon Hill project in Worcester, and the Schell Bridge.
Released $4.7m in Community Transit Grant awards directly to municipalities.
Received more than $4.57 million for infrastructure projects to improve road safety in Brockton, Haverhill, Lowell, and Somerville through a U.S. Department of Transportation Program.
Completed the Squires Bridge Project in Somerville in 25 days, on time and with minimal disruption to the 2023 Fluff Festival. The original projected timeline was 42 days.
Worked with the MBTA to prepare a first-of-its kind Track Improvement Plan and extended all MBTA ferry service into the late fall.
Moved forward in the process of standing up the first-ever Office of Transportation and Climate Planning and Policy as a shared service responsible for setting operational standards for both MassDOT and MBTA.
As Undersecretary of MassDOT, she directed oversight over the Rail & Transit Division, Aeronautics Division, and the Office of Transportation Planning.
Prior to accepting her current role, Secretary Tibbits-Nutt served as the Executive Director of 128 Business Council, a unique transportation management association and regional service provider that builds privately-funded, cooperative public transportation routes throughout the Route 128 West Corridor.
Secretary Tibbits-Nutt's areas of specialty are regional and transportation planning, urban design, and transit equity. In both her work and research, she is particularly interested in capitalizing upon every opportunity to better educate transportation stakeholders and the public about all aspects of the planning process. As part of this focus on education, she serves as the Vice President of the non-profit Youth Engagement Planning (YEP!), which brings urban planning and community advocacy into K-12 environments.
Secretary Tibbits-Nutt also commits a significant portion of her time to mentorship through her roles as a member of the Board of Advisors to The Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston, and, less officially, by making herself available to the students and young professionals she has met through guest lecturing and her membership in the American Planning Association, the Transportation Research Board, and other professional associations. Secretary Tibbits-Nutt serves on the Board of Directors of WTS International and the WTS Foundation, which seeks to create a more inclusive and equitable transportation industry and provides scholarships to female-identifying professionals and students, respectively; and on the Board of Trustees of TransitCenter, which works to support, inform, connect and fund civic and public leaders working to truly make transit better.
Secretary Tibbits-Nutt is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design & Construction with the U.S. Green Building Council. Originally hailing from the rural Midwest, she is a first-generation college graduate.
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has announced that more than $4,570,000 is being awarded to four municipalities in the second round of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program. The Program was established through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and includes approximately $5 billion in appropriated funds to be awarded over the next five years. The second round grant awards will be going to planning and infrastructure initiatives to improve road safety in Brockton, Haverhill, Lowell, and Somerville.
“We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Transportation and our congressional delegation for this Safe Streets and Roads grant funding for Brockton, Haverhill, Lowell, and Somerville,” said Acting Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “MassDOT has been pleased to work collaboratively with these four municipalities in identifying projects and plans which meet the Safe Streets and Road criteria and advance much needed safety improvements and we look forward to helping other cities and towns in developing action steps which make travel safer for everyone, whether they are on foot, bicycle, public transportation vehicles or using their own personal vehicles.”
“Safe Streets and Roads for All is a critical program for enabling cities and towns to improve safety for all users of our roads,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “We thank the Biden Administration for making these historic investments available to Massachusetts’ communities and look forward to the opportunity to support local governments with securing federal dollars in future rounds of funding.”
The SS4A program funding awards can be used to improve roadway safety by supporting communities in developing comprehensive safety action plans based on a Safe Systems Approach, conduct data analyses, and implement projects and strategies that seek to significantly reduce or eliminate transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries involving pedestrians, bicyclists, micromobility users, motorists, public transportation customers, users of personal conveyance, and commercial vehicle operators. Additionally, awarded funding can also be used to support robust stakeholder engagement in order to ensure that all community members have a voice in developing plans, projects, and strategies.
Today’s announcement made by the U.S. Department of Transportation and MassDOT is in regard to funding in the second round for these four communities:
This past February, MassDOT announced that 17 municipalities and Regional Planning Agencies in Massachusetts received grant awards through the first round of the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program. The recipients of the first round of FY2022 SS4A program funding awards were as follows:
The Safe Streets and Roads for All Program projects are approved based on including specific timelines and projects for implementation, specific prioritization criteria, and incorporation of the Safe System Approach.
Additional SS4A awards are expected to be announced in December. Applications for the next round of SS4A are anticipated to open in February of 2024.
Fitch Ratings - New York - 06 Oct 2023: Fitch Ratings has assigned 'AA+' ratings to approximately $1.485 billion Commonwealth of Massachusetts general obligation (GO) bonds, consisting of:
--$275 million GO Bonds Consolidated Loan of 2023 Series B;
--$200 million GO Bonds Consolidated Loan of 2023 Series C;
--$550 million GO Bonds Consolidated Loan of 2023 Series D;
--$260 million GO Bonds Consolidated Loan of 2023 Series E (federally taxable);
--$200 million GO Bonds Refunding Bonds 2023 Series C.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced that it has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to procure a transportation planning and engineering consultant team to develop and evaluate options for the eventual replacement of the Maurice J. Tobin Bridge. The RFP can be found online: https://www.commbuys.com/bso/external/bidDetail.sdo?docId=BD-24-1030-0P100-0P010-93410&external=true&parentUrl=close.
The Tobin Bridge carries Route 1 over the Mystic River, directly connects Boston and Chelsea, and provides connectivity to the regional transportation network. With Annual Average Daily Traffic across the bridge at approximately 87,000 vehicles, (as of September 2023), the Route 1 corridor is regularly congested in the peak hours and operates at or near capacity. The RFP will procure a team to assist MassDOT’s Office of Transportation Planning with a study to best position MassDOT in the project development process once the determination is made for the Tobin Bridge to be replaced.
“The time is now to start taking the steps needed with planning and engineering decisions about the future of the Tobin Bridge,” said Acting Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “Before the Tobin Bridge reaches the end of its useful life, we’re initiating a long-term strategic planning study to guide us on what type of facility should be built to replace it. This will also allow us to address any other deficiencies, and to think about opportunities we may have to improve future transit priority and multimodal travel over the Mystic River.”
“This study is an investment in our future as it will not only prepare us to replace the Tobin Bridge but to also modernize the connection with a deep focus on climate resiliency and how to incorporate multimodal transportation options,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.
Environmental review within the study’s scope of work, will encompass, but will not be limited to, impacts on ecosystems/habitats, overall environment, including air quality and greenhouse gas impacts, environmental justice areas, navigable waterways, and designated Port Areas and Chapter 91 boundaries. In accordance with evaluating these impacts, this study will examine greenhouse gas emissions, flooding, urban heat islands, and climate change mitigation measures and metrics.
Given the number and variety of stakeholders in the Tobin Bridge area, the study’s scope of work proposes a robust public engagement process. This will include, but not be limited to, the formation of a Working Group that will invite key stakeholders to participate, such as the City of Chelsea, the City of Boston, Massport, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, advocacy groups and community organizations. Public engagement will include in-person public meetings, stakeholder meetings, briefings, a study website, and outreach workshops. The Working Group will work with the selected consultant team at the outset of the study process to develop an appropriate public involvement plan with a focus on equity, multi-modal travel, community impacts, and socioeconomic factors.
The Tobin Bridge is currently maintained in a “State of Good Repair,” with preventative measures and maintenance projects programmed annually to ensure safe operating conditions. On Wednesday, September 20, members of the MassDOT Board of Directors approved a contract for approximately $128 million for Tobin Bridge repairs while the bridge’s replacement is being evaluated. The scope of work includes:
Construction for the Tobin Bridge’s immediate maintenance repairs will be conducted in ways that minimize impacts on the local neighborhoods and to the traveling public. No permanent lane closures on the bridge are anticipated during construction and no impacts are expected to adjacent roadways.
Previously, in 2019, MassDOT launched the Tobin Bridge/Chelsea Curves Rehabilitation Project which included major maintenance efforts. More can be found on that project online: https://www.mass.gov/doc/tobin-bridgechelsea-curves-rehabilitation-project-fact-sheet-english/download
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) are announcing MassDOT has received an additional $80 million in funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as part of the annual funding redistribution process. These redistribution funds represent federal transportation funds that were unable to be used for the programs to which they were originally allocated. As part of this redistribution, MassDOT will add or increase funding for 12 infrastructure projects across Massachusetts.
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced it has submitted federal grant applications to support the Cape Cod bridges, the Allston I-90 Multimodal project, the North Station Renovation and Draw 1 Bridge Replacement project, and the Williamsburg Route 9 Reconstruction. These projects represent a competitive bid for over $2 billion in federal funding to support sustainable, equitable, and safe transportation projects across the Commonwealth.
AMESBURY — Governor Maura T. Healey today signed the Chapter 90 conference committee bill (“Chapter 90”), which authorizes $375 million in funding to reimburse municipalities for bridge and road maintenance and funding for transportation-related infrastructure grants. Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, and Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Secretary Gina Fiandaca today celebrated the bill signing at events in Lowell and Amesbury.
BOSTON — The Baker-Polito Administration today announced plans to file legislation next week seeking $200 million in Chapter 90 funding to help all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts improve transportation infrastructure and address needs within their local communities. Governor Charlie Baker made the announcement at the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s (MMA) Annual Meeting today.
The Baker-Polito Administration today refiled legislation to improve safety on the Commonwealth’s roadways and combat drug-impaired driving. This proposal would update road safety laws by implementing uniform standards and promoting proven strategies to reduce motor vehicle crashes, and will implement recommendations made by the Special Commission on Operating Under the Influence and Impaired Driving.
Governor Charlie Baker today appointed the seven-member Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Board of Directors and designated Betsy Taylor as chair. In July, Governor Baker signed legislation that established a new, permanent board of directors for the MBTA.
Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito today announced the appointment of Jamey L. Tesler as Secretary of Transportation and CEO of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
Today, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito joined Acting Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler and Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver in Dedham to announce the award of $6.5 million total to cities and towns which applied for funding from the Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program. The program provides technical and funding assistance to help Massachusetts municipalities conceive, design, and implement changes to curbs, streets, plazas, and parking areas in support of public health, safe mobility, renewed commerce, and community betterment.
The Baker-Polito Administration today filed legislation to improve road safety, entitled, “An Act Relative to Improving Safety on the Roads of the Commonwealth.” The legislation includes provisions previously filed by the Administration in 2019 and several new proposals, including increasing penalties for individuals who cause personal injury while driving on a non-administratively suspended license.
Today, Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, and Acting MassDOT Secretary of Transportation Jamey Tesler joined legislators, municipal leaders, and other stakeholders in a virtual ceremonial signing of the $16 billion Transportation Bond Bill legislation. This legislation was signed into law on January 15, 2021, and authorizes funding across all modes of transportation to support and facilitate the ongoing continual efforts of MassDOT and the MBTA to invest in and modernize the Commonwealth’s transportation system.
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