The administration of Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker filed a $9.6 billion infrastructure bond bill on Thursday.
The bill “An Act Relative to Massachusetts’s Transportation Resources and Climate” (MassTRAC) will support investments in the state’s transportation and environmental infrastructure, as well as provide state matching funds to compete for, unlock and leverage federal formula and discretionary investments that are part of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), otherwise known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
“This infrastructure bill will support the investment of $9.7 billion in the Commonwealth’s roads, bridges, railways, transit agencies, and environmental infrastructure,” Baker said. “Building upon the BIL, this legislation will make a meaningful difference in the acceleration of projects that are set to receive federal funding, and we look forward to working with the members of the Legislature to pass this bill.”
Included in the legislation is $6.2 billion to support highway, transit, and environmental projects funded under the federal formula and $3.5 billion in state matching funds to support the pursuit of new and existing federal discretionary and competitive grants. The federal funding allows the state to increase investments in roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure while focusing on climate change mitigation, resiliency, equity, and safety for all users, particularly cyclists and pedestrians.
The bill includes $3.3 billion to support the Massachusetts Department of Transporation (MassDOT) and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) capital programs through 2026; $85 million authorization to improve the condition of non-interstate pavement on the National Highway System; $55 million in additional authorization to support investments in our cities and towns to promote bicycle and pedestrian safety, improve municipal transportation asset conditions, and invigorate downtown community public spaces through grant programs; $400 million for the MBTA to continue to invest in modernizing its infrastructure and vehicles; and $830 million to support the purchase of energy efficient MBTA Green Line cars.
“Our Administration continues to work closely with our statewide municipal partners to help identify ways in which they can make further improvements to their transportation infrastructure,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “This legislation includes additional authorization to support investments in cities and towns to promote bicycle and pedestrian safety and invigorate our downtown community public spaces through several grant programs.”