Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation

Teamwork: MassHighway, Turnpike Traffic Response

 

The Turnpike Authority and MassHighway are taking steps to coordinate traffic and emergency notification response.  The new interagency coordination comes as Governor Deval Patrick on June 26 signed the transportation reform bill creating the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, MassDOT, which will integrate MassHighway and the Turnpike into a new Highway Division.   MassDOT becomes effective November 1. 

The new interagency notification procedures will coordinate use of MassHighway and Turnpike employees and equipment responding to traffic and emergency situations. 

The coordinated effort worked successfully on Friday, June 26, when a two-vehicle accident including a truck hanging over a guard rail on I-93 near Exit 28 in the Charlestown area caused a significant traffic back up.  The back up was first observed by Turnpike operations control employees.  The accident was on MassHighway roadway but near Turnpike property.  The Turnpike notified MassHighway and both agencies responded with shared duties- MassHighway crews supporting clean up efforts on I-93 southbound while Turnpike crews joined Boston Fire Department crews on I-93 northbound.  State Police Troopers E and H along with Boston Police were also involved in response to the accident.  

 The interagency response coordination is an example of the immediate, ongoing effort to integrate the Turnpike and MassHighway into one MassDOT Highway Division.

Traffic Advisory: Summer Peak Season

Summer vacation season is here, and MassHighway and Turnpike officials advise motorists to drive safely, smartly and avoid peak travel times.

On the Mass Pike and other major highways Friday and Sunday afternoons and early evenings are the busiest.  In 2008, Thursday, July 3 was a busy traffic day/evening.  The last Friday in July and the first Friday in August were among the heaviest traffic volume days.  August Sundays are the busiest of the year.

Major summer events such as Boston’s July 4th Pops and Fireworks Celebration and Sail Boston 2009 from July 8 to 13 can close roads and change traffic patterns.  Also on July 3 the BSO’s concert season at Tanglewood in Lenox begins and brings extra volume to Exit 2 on the Pike.

Motorists should pay close attention to heavy volume at the Pike’s busy I-84 interchange at Exit 9 in Sturbridge, along with Exit 11 at I-495 and Exit 15 at I-95 (Route 128).  To learn more, check radio traffic reports, call the 511 state traffic information line, or visit the Mass Pike website for expanded Road Conditions, real-time Traffic Cameras, Construction Advisories, and to sign up for E-traveler e-mails updating traffic changes and road conditions.

To save time, money and gas, motorists are encouraged to join FAST LANE. Free transponders are available online or by calling 1-877-MASSPIKE (1-877-627-7745).  Free transponders will be offered instantly at Pike Service Plazas in Framingham off I-90 West  on Tuesday, June 30 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm; in Westborough off I-90 West on Wednesday, July 1 and in Charlton East and West on Thursday, July 2, all from 10 am to 2 pm.  

Compliments of McDonalds and Gulf, free coffee will be served to keep motorists alert and safe at the 11 service plazas along the Turnpike on July 4th night into Sunday morning, from 10 pm to 5 am.

MASSPIRG Praises Mass Stimulus Spending

 

Massachusetts is a clear leader among all states in appropriately spending federal stimulus money on shovel-ready projects that preserve our roads and bridges, invest in public transportation, and advance bike and pedestrian alternatives, according to a report released today by public interest advocacy group MASSPIRG.

The report entitled “Massachusetts and the Stimulus: An Appraisal of Transportation Spending,” highlights the discretionary portion of ARRA spending in the first 120 days since the stimulus money was sent to states. 

Transportation Secretary James Aloisi, Jr. joined MASSPIRG officials along with transportation advocates in announcing the results of the report and received a "report card" from MASSPIRG with an A- grade for Commonwealth stimulus spending efforts.

“The Commonwealth should be commended for focusing on projects that invest in public transportation and fix our roads and bridges," said Lizzi Weyant, staff attorney for MASSPIRG. "These priorities will go a long way towards meeting the goals of the stimulus and can be directly connected to job creation.”

The report shows Massachusetts committed 75 percent of the discretionary stimulus money to repairing and restoring our highways instead of creating more highway miles.  The state committed 19 percent of its overall stimulus spending to projects that support public transportation and advance bike and pedestrian options, the third highest in the country.

View the Mass Transportation Recovery and Reinvestment Act web site, including interactive map of projects, here.

Turnpike Board Approves FY 10 Budget- No Toll Increase

The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Board of Directors today meeting in Framingham approved unanimously a Fiscal Year 2010 Budget that rescinds proposed toll increases.   

The toll increases previously approved are rescinded following a commitment of $100 million to the Turnpike as part of the state FY10 General Appropriation Act. 

View the Board vote and FY10 budget summary here.

Transportation reform legislation signed by Governor Deval Patrick on June 26, 2009 creates the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, MassDOT, effective November 1, 2009.  

The Turnpike Authority will be integrated into MassDOT in a streamlined organization that includes the current Executive Office of Transportation, Massachusetts Highway Department, Registry of Motor Vehicles, Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission, Tobin Bridge, and many bridges and parkways currently under the responsibility of the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The Transportation Family

Witness the spirit of collaboration in the transportation family and a nod to history, all in one stop at the Charlton Pike Service Plaza.  

RMV Registrar Rachel Kaprielian and current Turnpike Authority Executive Director Jeff Mullan stand with a plaque honoring the Turnpike's very first leader, William F. Callahan.  Callahan served as Pike Chairman from the day construction on the roadway began in 1955 until his death in 1964.

Brian Murphy and David Mohler from the Executive Office of Transportation joined the Registrar and Executive Director in the photo taken on June 26, the day Governor Patrick signed the bill that moves the RMV, Turnpike, and EOT along with MassHighway and the Aeronautics Commission into the new, streamlined Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

Governor Patrick Signs Transportation Reform Bill

Governor Deval Patrick in Springfield today signed a landmark transportation reform bill to help secure the Commonwealth’s economic future by radically simplifying bureaucracy and delivering real cost savings by curbing out-of-scale health and pension benefits. 

“The meaningful, long-lasting reforms we will make to our state’s transportation system will rebuild public trust and put an end to the old ways of doing business,” said Governor Patrick. “Today, we are inaugurating a new era of streamlined and efficient delivery of transportation services to the residents of Massachusetts.”

The legislation creates a new Massachusetts Department of Transportation (Mass DOT) to oversee four divisions: Highway, Mass Transit, Aeronautics and RMV.  Mass DOT will be administered by a Secretary of Transportation, and overseen by a Board of Directors appointed by the Governor with expertise in transportation, finance and engineering. 

“I am excited by this opportunity to lead a revitalized and reorganized transportation organization,” said Transportation Secretary James Aloisi, Jr.  “We will fulfill the Governor’s strong mandate to simplify, reform and make more accountable our entire transportation system.”

Read the Governor's release.  Visit Governor Patrick's website on Mass.Gov here.

 

Mattapan Transportation Public Meeting Set

The Executive Office of Transportation (EOT) today announced a meeting to discuss transportation issues in Mattapan.  The topics of discussion will include passenger amenities at Mattapan Station, progress on Ashmont Station and its relationship to the Mattapan High Speed Trolley service, and the Fairmount Line Improvements project (including Blue Hill Avenue Station). The meeting will also serve as an opportunity to provide the community with a summary of the recent Community Planning Workshops for the 28X Bus Enhancement project.

The Mattapan Transportation Meeting will be held on:

June 30, 2009 – 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Mildred Avenue Middle School
5 Mildred Avenue, Mattapan

Transportation Secretary James A. Aloisi, Jr. and area legislators are scheduled to attend. 

Learn more about the 28X Bus Enhancement project.   

"Shovel Ready" Projects: Target Exceeded

The Patrick Administration announced its federal highway investments have already exceeded the $153.2 million Massachusetts commitment under the federal “use-it-or-lose it” 120-day deadline of June 30.  A total of 31 shovel ready projects with an investment of $187.4 million have moved forward under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

A $70 million Fall River-Freetown Route 24 project announced today is one of several initial Massachusetts projects funded by ARRA focused on investing in critical transportation infrastructure projects that achieve multiple objectives including economic development, regional equity, stronger public transit and job creation components.  Other examples include the $12.8 million innovative Franklin Regional Transit Center project to provide a transportation hub for Franklin County and the $4.1 million Newburyport Park & Ride expansion project advertised for bid this month.

The Route 24 project includes a new Exit 8B interchange along with construction of new access roads that will provide economic benefits to Freetown and Fall River by improving access to commercial developments. 

Additional ARRA projects advertised for bid in June using federal stimulus funds include:

Wilbraham- $3.3 million bridge rehabilitation, Red Bridge Road.
Fitchburg/Westminster- $8 million resurfacing, Route 2
Shrewsbury/Worcester- $3.5 million resurfacing, Route 20
Avon/Stoughton- $5 million resurfacing, Route 24
Brockton- $5.8 million reconstruction of Route 27 at West Street
Westford- $4.1 million intersection and signal improvements, Route 110 and Route 225.   

Massachusetts has received the authority from the federal government to spend a total of $437.9 million on ARRA transportation projects.  Projects funded with the remaining transportation federal stimulus funds must be advertised for bid by March 2010.   

Learn more about Massachusetts transportation stimulus projects and view an interactive Google map here.  Governor Patrick’s Massachusetts Recovery and Reinvestment Plan website is here.  

MBTA Targets Fare Evaders

MBTA Transit Police are deployed across the system each day, checking for fare evaders.  More than 1,200 riders have been cited in 2009 for evading a fare. 

The fine for first offense is $15, second offense is $100, and third offense is $250. 

WBZ Radio this week captured a Transit Police Sergeant in action on the Green Line. 

Watch the story. 

Fed Stimulus: Track Projects on Updated Website

A updated, user-friendly website that includes an interactive project map is tracking Governor Patrick's Massachusetts Recovery and Reinvestment Plan for investing in our roads, bridges, rail, airports, and other transportation needs.

The Governor's plan integrates state, federal, and private investments through Transportation Bond Bills, the Accelerated Bridge Repair Program and federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to put people to work today repairing our transportation infrastructure.

Federal stimulus funds available through ARRA are now being invested in "shovel-ready" projects across the Commonwealth. Massachusetts received authority under ARRA to spend $437.9 million over two years on road and bridge projects. An additional $319 million will fund urban and regional transit projects.

Please visit the site frequently and check the map for information on individual stimulus projects here.