Boston—A transportation bond bill filed today by Governor
Patrick includes approximately $800 million in bond authorization for numerous
public transportation projects, with the largest chunk dedicated to funding the
full cost of the Green Line extension from Lechmere to Medford, earmarked at
$600 million.
The total bill gives the Patrick administration the
authority to issue $2.9 billion in state bonds for road, bridge, and highway
maintenance, and transit improvement projects.
Another major upgrade will be approximately $75 million to
improve the Fitchburg-to-Boston commuter line, with hopes to reduce the travel
time to one hour.
“These transit projects will have a great benefit, not only
in terms of reducing traffic and air pollution, but will give more people
better options for getting around,” said MASSPIRG Advocate Eric Bourassa.
MASSPIRG supports the increased investment in public
transportation, but warns that the legislature must address the MBTA’s $5.3
billion unsustainable debt to make sure the MBTA can take on the operating
costs of expansions.
“For the Green Line extension, this earmarked funding will
improve the project’s competitiveness for getting federal matching dollars,”
said Bourassa. “Unfortunately, the MBTA’s overall operating deficits still
imperil the ability to win these federal grants unless the legislature and
administration address the T’s massive debt burden.”
