Unanimous Vote Reaffirms Commitment to Investing in Local Aid and Transportation

State Representatives Denise Provost, Carl Sciortino and Tim Toomey last week voted to approve a $12.7 billion bond bill to fund a variety of transportation-related projects.

The Somerville delegation, members of which also represent Medford and Cambridge, worked successfully to ensure that $1.3 billion dollars be included in the bond authorization for the Green Line Extension, including its planning, design, permitting and engineering, acquisition of interests in land, vehicle procurement, and construction of stations as far as College Avenue.  “I am thrilled that money was included in the bond bill for continued development of the Green Line Extension into Somerville and Medford as well as important local infrastructure improvement projects that are critically needed,” said Representative Carl Sciortino.

The bond bill also authorizes $300 million in Chapter 90 funding to help cities and towns complete road, bridge and infrastructure improvement projects. This marks the eighth consecutive year that the House has either raised or level-funded Chapter 90. Somerville’s share of the Chapter 90 money is estimated to in excess of $1.1 million.

The legislation will improve and modernize the state’s infrastructure system through projects including:

• $2.97 billion for state-wide roadway and bridge projects;

• $125 million to support the Department of Conservation and Recreation in improving roads such as Alewife Brook Parkway, and

• $2.5 billion for MBTA rail improvements including new Red and Orange Line cars.

The bill also includes $250,000 for the completion of the engineering drawings for the Mystic River Greenway, the vital next step in the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Mystic River Master Plan. The bond bill also includes $50 million in grant monies for the ‘complete streets’ project to support investments that accommodate all users of our roads, including motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit.

The bill now moves to the Senate.