by Neil W. McCabe

U.S. Rep. Michael E. Capuano, D-Somerville, announced April 2 that the House has approved funding to extend the city bike path, make street improvements in Union Square and study the Route 93 interchange with Mystic Avenue.

“Despite the fact that many members of Congress have lingering concerns over the cost overruns associated with the Central Artery/Tunnel Project, and despite the fact that the Massachusetts congressional delegation is entirely Democratic in a Republican House, we were able to secure record funding for the Commonwealth’s transportation infrastructure,” Capuano said.

The funding is included in House Bill 3550, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, which includes $4.8 billion in federal transportation funding for Massachusetts, he said.

“This $275 billion six-year surface transportation bill funds road and transit projects across the country,” he said.

It contains $3.38 billion in funding over six years for Massachusetts’ highways and $1.42 billion over six years for transit projects. These amounts represent an increase of $625 million or 14.8%
over the previous legislation, he said.

The congressman is a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Based on calculations by the Department of Transportation, the legislation will create 38,000 jobs per year in Massachusetts and generate an additional $4.96 billion in economic activity annually for the state, he said.

“Since Massachusetts has lost so many jobs in the last two years, this legislation comes at a critical time. Not only will this money translate into significant improvements to our highway and transit infrastructure, it will help our working families and regional economy by creating jobs,” he said.

Capuano said the legislation contains authorizing language for the
following transit projects: the Silver Line, the Urban Ring, the Blue Line extension, the North-South Rail Link and the Fitchburg commuter rail. “This language makes the projects eligible for future federal funding.”

“This legislation is an important step forward in meeting the Commonwealth’s transportation needs. It means billions of dollars in improvements to our roads, bridges and transit infrastructure,” he said.

The bill also designates the northbound and southbound tunnel of Interstate 93 the Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, Jr. Tunnel, in recognition of the late Speaker’s significant contribution to the construction of the Central Artery/Tunnel Project, he said.

“It is only fitting that the Congress pays tribute to Speaker O’Neill with this designation. Tip O’Neill worked tirelessly to secure support and substantial federal funding for the Central Artery/Tunnel Project,” he said.

The legislation now moves to a Conference Committee, where it will be reconciled with the Senate passed bill.