Federal Stimulus: Round Two Priorities

Governor Deval Patrick today released a list of 33 priority federal stimulus projects with total value of more than $165.6 million, that the Patrick-Murray Administration is proposing to fund in the second round of highway investment under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  The projects are spread throughout the Commonwealth and will create jobs, promote regional economic growth and boost communities and transit options.

Federal stimulus investment will be a key focus of the Governor’s Economic Summit set to convene tomorrow, Tuesday, October 27th at the Boston Federal Reserve Bank. The Governor is assembling a cross-section of statewide business, financial, education, and public policy leaders to identify ways to promote long-term economic recovery and job growth throughout the Commonwealth.

Many of the 33 projects still need state Metropolitan Planning Organization approval.  When approved and advertised for bid, they would complete the Patrick-Murray Administration’s investment of the $437.9 million in ARRA highway funds allocated to the state by the federal government. 

The projects include a $3.6 million bike path connector for the Alewife Greenway Corridor, $7.5 million in improvements to Worcester’s Canal District, and $10 million “flex” of highway dollars to support improvements in MBTA bus service.  Other projects long-term economic development, including $8.1 million to make improvements to a connector road that will allow better redevelopment of downtown Quincy by separating local traffic from thru traffic, $8.4 million to make improvements to Lynn’s Blossom Street Ferry Terminal to support a commuter ferry and development in downtown Lynn, and $15 million in roadway, bike and pedestrian improvements to support the Assembly Square redevelopment project in Somerville.

Learn more about federal stimulus transportation investments.