SENATOR BENJAMIN DOWNING
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Senate has approved a bill Thursday night authorizing $13 billion in capital spending over the next five years to pay for upgrades to the state’s transportation system.
The bill includes $1.5 billion in spending over the next five years to fund local road and bridge projects.
“These important funds show our commitment to transportation across the state,” said State Senator Benjamin B. Downing (D- Pittsfield). “Transportation investment will not only keep our roads and bridges safe and reliable, but will also create jobs and promote economic development.”
During the debate the Senate also adopted an amendment, co-sponsored by Downing, that authorizes the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to pay snow plow contractors for services rendered this winter season; funding for these services has been tied up in a pending supplemental budget. Under this provision MassDOT may spend $50 million over their available funds in both Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015 to pay for snow and ice removal.
The Senate’s bill includes $1.5 billion in spending over the next five years for the Chapter 90 program to fund local projects such as rebuilding and repairing roads and bridges and requires municipalities to be notified of their Chapter 90 appropriation before March 1st of each year.
Massachusetts will save an estimated $518 million by shortening the duration of Chapter 90 bond from 30 to 20 years.
To support the Complete Streets Program, the bill authorizes $50 million in spending and creates a grant program to provide funding to municipalities that promote all modes of transportation, including walking, cycling, public transportation, automobiles and freight.
Also authorized in the bill:
$1.9 billion for interstate/non-interstate federal highways, which is approximately 80 percent federally reimbursable;
$2.2 billion for non-federally aided roads and bridges;
$125 million for the Department of Conservation and Recreation for repairs, improvements, construction of parkways and related equipment;
$350 million for transportation facilities and rolling stock for improvements to facilities, urban development plans and the purchase and rehabilitation of rolling stock;
$24 million for the mobility assistance program and regional intercity bus and intermodal services;
$80 million for the statewide rail access program;
$2.5 billion for heavy and light rail and bus projects to fund state of good repair projects, including on the Red, Orange and Green line cars;
$55 million for the airport improvement program to allow for paving runways and upgrades;
$63 million for Registry of Motor Vehicles modernization;
$1.3 billion for Green Line extension projects;
$175 million for Springfield-Worcester, Boston-Cape Cod and Pittsfield-NYC rail projects;
$30 million for service improvements to the Knowledge Corridor Rail Line; and,
$146.5 million for information technology at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
The bill also hikes the penalties for MBTA fare evasion by raising fines to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second offense and $600 for a third or subsequent offense.
The bill lets the state transportation department spend an additional $50 million in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 on snow and ice removal and dedicates $2.3 billion for South Coast rail improvements.
The legislation also includes $325 million for improvements to South Station and renames it the Gov. Michael S. Dukakis Transportation Center at South Station.
The bill also re-authorizes previously authorized transportation capital accounts necessary to fund current obligations through the end of June. In addition, it de-authorizes $2 billion from previous transportation bond bills that are not spent within 90 days after this bill goes into effect.
The Senate and House will now produce a compromise bill for final passage and consideration of the Governor.
