House Approves Transportation Infrastructure Improvements Financing Bill

The following is a release from the office of Representative William C. Galvin:

BOSTON) –State Representatives William C. Galvin (D-Canton) and Louis L. Kafka (D-Stoughton) joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing legislation that provides funding for necessary improvements to the state’s transportation system,including $275,000 for Stoughton specific projects.

This legislation includes $100,000 for a traffic study of downtown Stoughton to come up withcreative ways to alleviate traffic congestion and improve traveler safety in the area.

A second amendment successfully sponsored by Representatives Galvin and Kafka provides a $175,000 matching grant to put towards purchase and/or refurbishment of the Stoughton MBTA station,which was recently put up for sale by the MBTA.

“This bill is essentially about public safety by ensuring that our community’s infrastructure is ingood condition. I am pleased that this money will help improve safety and create constructionjobs across the Commonwealth,” commented Representative Galvin.

“I’m pleased with the projects we were able to include in the bill; the Stoughton Train Stationbelongs under the control of the town and we’re committed as a legislative delegation to makingthat a reality,” said Kafka.

This bill also provides $200 million in chapter 90 funding, $325 million for non-federallyassisted construction projects including general highway maintenance, emergency bridge repairs,guardrail repairs, catch basin cleaning, and line painting.

Support for public transportation is also included in this legislation. This bill provides $11million in capital assistance to the regional transit authorities and $300 million for improvementsfor rail transport.

The bill also creates a Department of Transportation Board of Directors, aseven-member panel appointed by the Governor that shall exercise the MBTA’s corporatepowers and oversee transportation projects state-wide.

This bill will now go before the Senate and the Governor for approval.