Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation

Westfield-Barnes Airport Celebrates Gulfstream Expansion

MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard Davey today joined Gulfstream Aerospace leaders, Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport and local officials to celebrate the ribbon-cutting for the Gulfstream Hangar Expansion Project.

Gulfstream’s expansion includes a new 100,000 square foot hangar with office space and will result in 100 new jobs added to Gulfstream’s existing airport workforce of 140.

“Massachusetts is leading the nation in economic recovery, thanks to companies like Gulfstream that are expanding right here in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Patrick. “Because of our investments in innovation, education and infrastructure, Massachusetts is a great place for business, and I thank Gulfstream for adding these 100 new jobs, and the economic benefits that will follow.”

“Aviation is an economic engine across the state, and right here in Westfield it generates more than 2,000 jobs and economic output of $180 million,” said Secretary Davey. “Gulfstream’s investment combined with MassDOT and other state financial support will further enhance opportunities in this area.”

Gulfstream Aerospace manufactures mid-size and large cabin business jet aircraft with Northeast aircraft maintenance repair facilities centered at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport.  The company invested approximately $20 million in the hangar expansion. MassDOT funds totaling $3 million realigned the airport perimeter roadway and provided additional parking, while the Massachusetts Office of Business Development provided $2 million for a new road providing access to Gulfstream and a newly-created industrial park.

“In addition to Gulfstream’s commitment to expansion, MassDOT is also pleased to join our partners at the Federal Aviation Administration, the City of Westfield, and the Air National Guard in preserving and enhancing the infrastructure at the Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport,” said Christopher Willenborg, MassDOT Aeronautics Division Administrator.

Willenborg said upcoming improvements include reconstruction and pavement replacement of a key airport runway later in 2013.

1st in Nation "Carbon Neutral" Airport Project

MassDOT's Aeronautics Division and Volpe National Transportation Systems Center have announced a pilot program to create the first ever airport with “carbon neutral” ground operations in the United States.

Nantucket Memorial Airport has been chosen to take all steps necessary to implement that designation.

“This truly revolutionary partnership to develop an airport with entirely carbon neutral operations is a shining example of our 'GreenDOT' plan to build a transportation system that is environmentally sustainable, and we look forward to working with the Nantucket Airport on this groundbreaking effort,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard Davey.

“Nantucket has a storied tradition as a community of seafarers, and its whaling fleet was once at the heart of the world’s energy and transportation economies,” said Nantucket Airport Manager Thomas Rafter. “The concept of sustainable transportation is something that makes sense on Nantucket, and is something I feel the community can really get behind and be proud to showcase.”

The Carbon Neutral Airport Pilot Program will assist the Nantucket Airport to implement measures that dramatically reduce fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The program will identify lessons and practices learned to assist other general aviation and large commercial service airports.

MassDOT and Volpe, with the support of a Planning Advisory Group, chose the Nantucket Airport from among five Commonwealth general aviation airports that were eligible to receive Federal Aviation Administration sustainability/low emission funding to support the project.

The program to achieve “carbon neutrality” will move forward in 2013 with data collection and inventory in Phase One, followed by implementation in Phase Two.

MassDOT and the Nantucket Airport plan to rigorously pursue energy efficiency in airport buildings, on the airfield and among fleet vehicles. Efficiency will likely involve major upgrades to retrofit mechanical equipment, lighting systems and other facilities. New automation systems and operational changes will achieve additional energy savings. On-site renewable energy will be generated with the goal of equaling or exceeding energy consumption that cannot be eliminated.

The Carbon Neutral project includes $805,000 in MassDOT Aeronautics funding along with other expected local and federal funding sources.
 

Secretary Davey Receives Business Aviation Award

MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard Davey this month received the "Silk Scarf" Award from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).  

The NBAA honored Secretary Davey, left with MassDOT Aeronautics Administrator Chris Willenborg, for his "exemplary efforts on behalf of the regional business aviation community."

Administrator Willenborg received the Silk Scarf Award in 2009.

The Award is intended to honor outstanding business aviation community members and inspire future aviators.

NBAA Northeast Regional Representative Dean Saucier said, "under Secretary Davey’s direction, the Massachusetts airport system has thrived and he has moved aviation to the forefront in the transportation department.”

Real World Design Challenge Students Recognized

Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray today joined MassDOT Aeronautics Division Administrator Chris Willenborg at Hanscom Field in Bedford to congratulate local students for their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) interest and participation in the Real World Design Challenge, a competition that tests the student’s ingenuity and problem-solving skills in the field of aeronautics.

“Governor Patrick and I applaud the efforts of these young innovators,” said Lieutenant Governor Murray, Chair of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. “Academic challenges, like this one, along with quality education and other enrichment programs, allow us as a Commonwealth to offer students an experience that will shape their futures. I am confident that investing in their education will positively impact our collective future.”

This year's Real World competition involved designing a Small Unmanned Aircraft System that included one or more fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial vehicles while developing a business plan in support of their system. The system had a mission scenario: locate a missing, injured and immobilized child in a large area of New Mexico.

More than a dozen schools entered the challenge. The first place winner and State Champion is Marlborough High School followed by Newburyport High School in second place and Lowell High School third.  Marlborough’s team “WingIt” will compete in the national challenge for the top National title later this month.

“The transportation industry thrives on innovation, and with students like these, our future looks bright,” said MassDOT Secretary & CEO Richard A. Davey. “I applaud all of the schools who participated in the challenge.”

“Aviation education outreach, such as the Real World Design Challenge, is critical to shaping tomorrow’s workforce in the aviation and aerospace industry,” said MassDOT Aeronautics Administrator Chris Willenborg. “The aviation industry is a significant economic engine creating over 124,000 direct/indirect jobs and generating nearly $12 billion each year in economic benefits for the Commonwealth.”

MassDOT’s Aeronautics Division coordinates the annual Real World Design Challenge, run by a public-private partnership with the goal of increasing and enhancing science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. The Federal Aviation Administration, PTC, Mentor Graphics, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Cessna are among partners in the program. The submissions were judged by MIT Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics Dr. Jeffrey A. Hoffman.

Aeronautics: 2013 Real World Design Challenge

A team of Marlborough High School students known as "Team Wingit" is the Massachusetts State Champion in the 2013 Real World Design Challenge competition.  Team members visited the Marlborough School Committee meeting, photo courtesy Marlborough Schools, left.

Marlborough competed with more than a dozen other Massachusetts High School student teams from across the Commonwealth using real world state of the art professional engineering computer programs in the annual design competition. 

This year's competition involved designing a Small Unmanned Aircraft System that included one or more fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial vehicles while developing a business plan in support of their system.  The system had a mission scenario: locate a missing, injured and immobilized child in a large area of New Mexico.

Marlborough’s team is now working on the National Challenge and will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C April 19-22 where they will compete for the top national honor. 

MassDOT Aeronautics Division coordinates the annual Real World Design Challenge, run by a public-private partnership with the goal of increasing and enhancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. The FAA, PTC, Mentor Graphics , NASA and Cessna are among ongoing partners in the program. Thanks to MIT Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics Dr. Jeffrey A. Hoffman for judging the state submissions.

Newburyport High School’s Team "Model A" placed second in the state competition and Lowell High School’s Team "LHS Aviators" placed third.

Additional information can be found on the RWDC web site www.realworlddesignchallenge.org

Congratulations to the teams !!

 

Secretary Davey: The Time to Act Decisively is Now

Posted by Richard A. Davey, MassDOT Secretary & Chief Executive Officer

The Pioneer Institute’s Jim Stergios has one fundamental point exactly right in his opinion article, “Lots of Art, Little Science in Transportation Plan.”  In his words: “let’s be clear that we do need new revenue for transportation and infrastructure.”  He may also be right about one other thing: my presentation skills in outlining MassDOT’s The Way Forward: A 21st-Century Transportation Plan, are no match for the “magic of Steve Jobs”! 

But I believe he misses the mark about the necessity of the proposals outlined in that presentation and our plan’s promise to revitalize our transportation system delivery across the Commonwealth- and jump start our state’s economy and create thousands of jobs in the process. 

The facts are that despite assertions to the contrary:

Reform is happening: We have successfully undertaken a multi-year, “full” reform effort in transportation.  From the elimination of “23 and out” at the MBTA to transitioning employees into the Group Insurance Commission, tangible reforms have saved taxpayers over $500m to date.  And, as we stated in our report, reform is not done.  A number of initiatives, from mobile ticketing on the T to introduction of all electronic tolling are underway or coming soon. And, we welcome more ideas on how to reduce our cost structure and improve the customer experience.

More transparency than ever: We have emphasized transparency in our dealings with our customers and provided meaningful information about service delivery and the state of our finances. Indeed, we sought out and specifically briefed the Pioneer Institute as we developed our new metrics and scorecard for your thoughts and advice. The MBTA’s scorecard, the DOT quarterly scorecard and our Accelerated Bridge Program scorecards are all available on our website.  The RMV discusses its monthly performance at every MassDOT Board meeting.  We held a public accountability meeting in Worcester to discuss the metrics, and have committed to holding such a meeting on a quarterly basis.  Granted, this information is spread out, so we are consolidating this information so it is more user friendly.

Transparency goes beyond scorecards though.  We have also opened up our MBTA operations center and other facilities to the public and publish weekly online our maintenance activities in the Central Artery and our Tunnels. Most importantly, we’ve engaged our customers directly.  In the last year, we’ve held over 100 public meetings and hearings across the state regarding T service/fare hikes, highway and transit project updates or our regular monthly Board meetings where public comment is invited.

Maintain what we have:  Our plan prioritizes maintenance of our current transportation system even as we advocate for critical projects statewide that are not the “same old” projects but rather long-discussed, necessary steps to ensure a bright future for our state.  Over 70% of the 10 year capital program in the Way Forward Plan is directed to investments in current roads, bridges, airports and rail infrastructure, and purchases new buses, trains and trolleys to replace the decades old fleet at the T and the RTAs.  On the operations side, we end the ludicrous practice of borrowing to pay for highway operations, provide much needed debt relief to the MBTA so current operations are maintained and appropriately fund the 15 Regional Transit Authorities for expanded bus service.

And yes, we will invest in targeted expansion that delivers new transportation services from Boston to Springfield, from the Berkshires to the South Coast, all projects long identified as critical to create jobs and economic development for the long-term benefit of the Commonwealth.  We fundamentally believe that more mobility options in every corner of the state is key to catalyzing economic activity.

We have also been open about the need to confront the increasing funding gap first identified- with the Pioneer Institute’s acknowledgment- in the 2007 Transportation Finance Commission report that identified a $19 billion gap in needed funds for maintenance of our transportation system over 20 years. We spoke with more than 7,000 members of the public, elected officials, business leaders and transportation stakeholders over the last year in more than 50 meetings across the state and heard their needs and concerns about our roads, our bridges, our buses, trains and bikeways. What we learned is that we have a problem most businesses would love to have – our customers want MORE of our services, not LESS.  

The question before us is clear.  How do we deliver the improved transportation services our customers demand?  The answers are found not in the inadequate steps mentioned by the Pioneer Institute. 

Rather than “lots of art, little science,” our 21st-century Plan is thoughtfully constructed and based on facts about transportation we have known for years- about our huge funding gap, our deferred maintenance, our absurd reliance on debt to pay for operations and the need for equitable transportation services in communities across our state. 

I look forward to our continuing conversation about the way forward, but the time to act decisively is now. 

MassDOT 21st Century Plan: Regional Investments

MassDOT's plan for the next generation of transportation investment in the Commonwealth: The Way Forward: A 21st Century Transportation Plan includes strategic regional investments across the Commonwealth.

Western Massachusetts, Berkshires

The plan includes passenger rail service connecting Boston and Springfield along the “Inland Route,” and rehabilitation of infrastructure to support rail service between Pittsfield and New York City.

$362.4 million will rehabilitate the “Inland Route” by creating a second track, widening bridges, upgrading signals purchasing train equipment, and constructing or rehabilitating stations. This supports future high-speed rail to New York City via Springfield.

$113.8 million will rehabilitate rail from the Berkshires to New York City, including track, signals and structures between Pittsfield and the Massachusetts-Connecticut state line to support future rail service between Pittsfield and New York City.

The plan funds the I-91 Viaduct in Springfield, a $32.2 million increase to the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority in FY14, a $3.2 million increase to the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA), and a $1 million increase to the Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA), along with reconstruction of Route 2 in Erving Center, the Mohawk bike and pedestrian trail in North Adams and the Skyline Trail in Hinsdale.

Central Massachusetts

The plan includes an $11.1 million increase in funding for the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) in FY14.  The plan also includes $12 million for improvements and safety enhancements at the interchange of I-495 and Route 9 in Westborough, reconstruction of Quinsigamond Avenue from Brosnihan Square to Southbridge Street in Worcester, and resurfacing of Route 119 in Groton and Littleton. 

South Coast

The plan funds completion of the South Coast Rail Line with diesel-fueled commuter trains to connect Boston to Fall River and New Bedford. The $1.8 billion investment is expected to create 3,800 jobs and generate $500 million in new economic activity statewide annually.

The plan also includes a $5.4 million increase in funding for the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) in FY14, interchange improvements at Routes 24 and 140 in Taunton, improvements to Route 6 and Fauce Corner Road in Dartmouth and reconstruction of Route 18 from Cove Street to Griffin Court in New Bedford.

Cape & Islands

The plan restores seasonal rail service on weekends between Boston and Hyannis.  The $20.8 million investment will upgrade rail, grade crossings, bridges and station accessibility.

The plan also includes a $5.9 million increase in funding for the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) in FY14, median construction along Route 6 in Bourne and resurfacing Route 6A in Brewster.

MassDOT Releases 21st Century Transportation Plan

The MassDOT Board and Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey today announced a plan for the next generation of transportation investment in the Commonwealth: The Way Forward: A 21st Century Transportation Plan.

The long-term financing plan shows that the state needs $684 million to operate the same system we have today. The plan calls for an additional investment in our transportation assets of $5.2 billion over ten years in road and highway repair in order to reduce the number of structurally deficient bridges and ease congestion on major arteries throughout the state; $3.8 billion to invest in existing transit services; and $275 million for Registry and airport maintenance.  These investments responsibly maintain the current transportation assets we have today.

In addition, the plan identifies a number of high-impact transportation projects across Massachusetts that, if built, will create thousands of jobs and spur economic development across the Commonwealth. In all, the plan identifies a $1.02 billion average additional need each year to create a 21st-Century transportation network.

“The plan released today is a stark, clear-eyed, non-partisan presentation of the facts,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “If we are serious about improving our transportation system for a generation, then we have to be willing to make the necessary investments. We must invest in transportation, not for the sake of transportation itself, but for the jobs and economic opportunity it creates.”

“Transportation is the enabling network of our economy, creating and supporting jobs in all regions of the Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray.  “The MassDOT Board has outlined how far we've come and how far we have to go to ensure a safe, reliable and regionally equitable transportation network.  Now we all need to work together to make this vision a reality.”

The plan addresses systemic budget deficits at the MBTA, MassDOT and the 15 Regional Transit Authorities, much of which has been caused by the debt burden related to the Central Artery.

“We have spent the last year engaging our customers, the business community and various stakeholders in a conversation about what kind of transportation system they want,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey. “What is clear is that we can’t afford the system we have today, much less the system we all want. This plan clearly articulates our vision for a 21st-Century Transportation system and the steps we must take to achieves that.”

Additional operating needs include:

MassDOT - $371 million in FY14; $4.4 billion over 10 years

The proposed new funding will allow MassDOT to end the decades-long practice of funding operating costs – personnel, rent, utilities, lawn mowing, etc – with borrowed funds. Currently, for every dollar MassDOT spends today on these items, it pays $1.76 in principal and interest costs. Appropriately paying for these items with operating funds will save the Commonwealth money over time and free up capital dollars to invest in infrastructure improvements.

The additional funding will also allow MassDOT to sufficiently fund its snow and ice operations at an appropriate level based on the average five-year cost and support and maintain its new capital investments.

Regional Transit Authorities -- $100 million in FY14; $1.1 billion over 10 years

This additional investment will allow the RTA’s to end the practice of borrowing, with interest costs, to fund annual operating costs by instead forward-funding each agency. Beginning in FY15, the additional $100 million will be used to expand RTA service by adding hours of operation, increasing frequency on existing routes and adding new service.

MBTA - $166 million in FY14; $3.2 billion over 10 years

This new investment will allow the MBTA to close its current and projected budget deficits, much of which is caused by the debt burden related to the Central Artery public transit commitments. Beginning in FY2014, $25 million in annual operating funds will also be available to provide modest service enhancements such as possibly expanding evening hours, restoring weekend service in areas that have been cut and improved customer service.

In addition to responsibly paying for our daily operations, the 21st-Century Plan calls for a $13 billion infusion of capital investment funds. These funds, which would supplement the Administration’s current capital investment plans, will allow MassDOT to address a backlog of deferred maintenance and improve current assets in order to reduce congestion on our roads, curb delays and minimize crowding on our trains and buses and improve customer service at our facilities.

In 2007, the Transportation Finance Commission issued a report pegging our maintenance funding gap at $15 billion to $19 billion over 20 years. The investment proposed in the 21st-Century Plan is an aggressive plan to eliminate that backlog.

The list of investments over 10 years is available after the break.

Springfield: 1st MassDOT "Your Vision Our Future" Meeting

MassDOT will kick off a series of statewide public meetings tomorrow, Thursday, September 27, in Springfield, engaging with residents, community leaders and business owners to discuss the future of transportation in the Commonwealth.

The meeting is scheduled as follows:

Thursday, September 27, 6-8 pm, Springfield Technical Community College One Armory Square, Building 2, Scibelli Hall Theater, Springfield

Legislation passed in August requires the Department to host at least six public meetings in advance of developing a long-term financing plan for the state’s transportation system next year. To ensure that all regions of the Commonwealth are represented, MassDOT will hold 15 meetings.

Representatives from each division of MassDOT – RMV, Highway, Aeronautics and MBTA/Rail and Transit – will be available to answer questions and provide information.

An informational website is available at: http://www.mass.gov/massdot/yourvisionourfuture

Those who are unable to attend the meetings but wish to submit comments can do so at yourvisionourfuture@dot.state.ma.us

MassDOT Statewide Transportation Conversation

MassDOT will kick off a series of statewide public meetings next week, engaging with residents, community leaders and business owners to discuss the future of transportation in the Commonwealth.

Legislation passed in August requires the Department to host at least six public meetings in advance of developing a long-term financing plan for the state’s transportation system next year. To ensure that all regions of the Commonwealth are represented, MassDOT will hold 15 meetings.

“Every person in the Commonwealth has a stake in our transportation system,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey. “Whether someone drives, walks, takes public transit or rides their bike, there is rarely a day that goes by that they don’t interact with the system. These statewide discussions are intended to allow the users of our system to share their ideas, thoughts and proposals for improving and paying for our transportation network for many years to come.”

Representatives from each division of MassDOT – RMV, Highway, Aeronautics and MBTA/Rail and Transit – will be available to answer questions and provide information.

The first meeting will be held as follows:

September 27, 2012 6-8 PM:  Springfield Technical Community College One Armory Square, Building 2, Scibelli Hall Theater, Springfield, MA 01105

An informational website for residents will be active next week. Those who are unable to attend the meetings but wish to submit comments can do so at: yourvisionourfuture@dot.state.ma.us.

The complete list of meetings is available on the web at http://www.mass.gov/massdot/yourvisionourfuture and after the break.