BOSTON — Five rail-related projects are among those in Massachusetts to receive U.S. Department of Transportation funding under various Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant programs, Gov. Maura Healey and the state’s congressional delegation announced on Thursday, Jan. 9.
In all, 11 projects were selected to receive a total of more than $102 million in funding.
Three of the five projects selected directly involve the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority:
— More than $14.4 million for electric-vehicle charging equipment to be installed in MBTA station parking lots, as well as at state-owned Park and Ride facilties.
— More than $4 million for the agency’s High-Risk Grade Crossing Elimination Master Plan, which will see the MBTA evaluate 42 high-priority roadway and pedestrian crossings across the regional rail network.
— About $2 million for the JFK/UMass station redesign and replacement. The project will bring the facility, used by Red Line rapid transit, commuter rail, and buses, into a state of good repair, and increase accessibility and resiliency.
“It is because of the hard work across the MBTA that our projects are well positioned to be strong candidates for every federal dollar available,” the agency’s CEO, Phillip Eng, said in a press release. “I’m proud of the team’s efforts that have resulted in strong applications in pursuit of every federal dollar possible.’
The other two projects involve $2 million to the city of Boston to reconnect separated portions of the Mattapan neighborhood, connecting them to natural resources and transportation networks, and $1.2 million for the city of Longmeadow to improve grade crossing along Amtrak’s right-of-way on its route to Springfield, Mass.
“Massachusetts continues to bring home major federal dollars to make our roads, bridges, paths and rails more safe, reliable and connected,” Healey said. “We’re so proud of MassDOT, the MBTA, and municipalities across the state who put forward strong applications and won, often with the help of our team at the Office of Federal Funds and Infrastructure.”
The create RR 75th st project in Chicago has 100 million plus dollars for sidewalks and upgrading city streets in the residential vicinity.The feds are spending money they DO NOT have.There is 4 million in MA, for a study on crossings that could be better.Those in charge should already have a list of the worst crossings and use the 4 million to fix the worst ones.In the past aI lived in Milton for 15 plus years, they are being forced to rezone areas near the trolley for multi family apts.Like I commented before, all this federal grant money seems to be going to BLUE states.
If you don’t know what it means, maybe you should refrain from commenting. It’s a thought. Commenting on things that you don’t understand or even bother to google is silly.
Mattapan borders Milton, this is true. But it’s a poor, mostly black and Latino part of the City of Boston and nothing like Milton (which anyone from Milton will remind you at the drop of a hat). You quite literally don’t know what you’re talking about but that doesn’t stop you from making snotty comments.
As for EV charging stations, I’m sure those kids are on your lawn AGAIN. Our generations ruined the climate and our kids and grandkids are going to have to cope with the screwed up world we are leaving them.
Thanks for making my point, Mike. Mattapan borders Milton, both are in Massachusetts, Massachusetts has plenty of money. Massachusetts has money coming out of its ears. Massachusetts should help Mattapan.
Wealthy Norfolk County, of which Milton is a part, is a Democrat stronghold. Rich Democrats in Norfolk County should help out less wealthy Democrats in Suffolk County. If Mattapan needs this project, what is the necessity of going to the Feds in Washington for money? Just drop a fishhook over the county line into Milton.
FYI I know all about Mattapan. When I was growing up in Norfolk County I had family and family friends there, as well as in Roxbury a mile or two further north. Of all the residential neighborhoods in Boston, Mattapan and Roxbury were the only two I knew my way around in. I was born in Roxbury and lived there until age five.
Lastly, Mike, two points about EVs. POINT ONE: People who drive them should pay for the charging stations, just as I pay for the BP station each time I fill up my ICE Subaru. POINT TWO: There is zero evidence, none, nada, zilch, that EVs are better for the environment. If anything, they’re worse.
The first two line items above show how far off our priorities have shifted. “$14.4 million for electric-vehicle charging equipment” supporting those rich enough to buy an EV. Vs only “$4 million for the agency’s High-Risk Grade Crossing Elimination” to protect the average citizen.
Talk about subsidies!!!!! In my opinion the sum total of state, local and federal appropriations for EV charging stations should be ZERO.
As for $2 Million to reconnect separated portions of Mattapan, whatever that means, I say the Commonwealth should pay for it. Mattapan borders one of the wealthiest towns (Milton) in one of the wealthiest counties (Norfolk) in America. The Bay State has more money than the federal government. In fact the federal government has no money, it’s way past broke. Money aside, I struggle to understand how it is (or better stated, I absolutely deny) that local infrastructure in Mattapan has a federal component.