Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
Commonwealth set to receive $804.6 million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve roads, promote safety, and reduce pollution
Washington (December 21, 2021) – After enactment of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is now distributing $52.5 billion in its first tranche of funding for infrastructure projects that will improve the safety and performance of America’s highways. This investment is for Fiscal Year 2022, and Massachusetts will receive $804.6 million in this round of funding.
These federal investments will go toward important projects, including highway performance improvements, bridge repair, and expanding pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure. The total funding also includes a dedicated $44.4 million for highway safety improvements, $69.1 million for congestion mitigation and air quality improvement, $18 million for carbon reduction efforts, and $20.5 million for strengthening the resiliency of transportation infrastructure.
“This massive investment into Massachusetts roadways demonstrates the beginning of our physical infrastructure revolution, while starting to solve long-unaddressed safety challenges,” said Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.). “With this funding, we can finally address all too preventable tragedies on our nation’s roads, expand transportation alternatives like biking and walking, reduce traffic congestion for Massachusetts commuters, and begin the process of making our streets cleaner and greener. I am proud of my colleagues and I for securing this investment in the Commonwealth, and I look forward to the opportunities that will be available as we continue to receive additional funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in the years ahead.”
“I’m delighted that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is investing over $800 million into our roads, bridges, and public transportation in Massachusetts. With this much-needed investment, we’ll repair our crumbling roads and bridges, fight climate change, and improve safety – all while creating good-paying union jobs,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
“In MA-5 and across our state, we are no strangers to traffic and potholes. The funding from the infrastructure law will reverse decades of neglect and underinvestment and modernize our roads and bridges, decrease commute times, reduce emissions, create jobs and lower costs for families. And, by improving our roadways, we are helping to alleviate the on-going supply chain challenges,” said Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (MA-05). This is a critical piece of the Build Back Better agenda, and Massachusetts will continue to see the impact of President’s vision for a stronger, more sustainable future.”
“The gradual decline in our federal infrastructure investment has resulted in an alarming number of crumbling roads,” said Congressman Richard E. Neal, Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means (MA-01). “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we have the opportunity to make quality upgrades to our federal highway system. Drivers will benefit from the improvements and skilled workers will be back on the job to make it a reality.”
“I am proud to have worked alongside Chairman Richie Neal and my Massachusetts Congressional colleagues to secure this critical transportation funding for the Commonwealth,” said Congressman Stephen Lynch (MA-08). “These funds are essential to creating a greener transportation system, expanding rail, improving passenger safety and strengthening the climate-change resiliency of our infrastructure. I am also pleased to see these projects will help reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality, an important benefit for our communities that struggle with high rates of asthma and respiratory disease. I look forward to seeing the transformation of our transportation system and the positive impact it will have on all Massachusetts residents.”
“This welcome investment is long-overdue and will help improve connectivity, make our roads and highways safer, create jobs, and promote environmentally friendly alternatives to driving such as biking,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07). “I look forward to seeing this funding swiftly disbursed and continuing our work to deliver President Biden’s full Build Back Better agenda.”
“If you have traveled through the South Shore or South Coast to get to Cape Cod during the summer, you know firsthand how vital congestion mitigation is,” said Congressman Bill Keating (MA-09). “This first wave of funding from President Biden’s Infrastructure Plan aims to address this issue head-on, and I am glad to see funds arriving so quickly to Massachusetts as we tackle the infrastructure challenges that lay ahead, including the replacement of the Bourne and Sagamore bridges.”
“For decades, roads littered with potholes and in need of repair have made it difficult for Bay Staters to get around,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03). “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law changes that. By delivering billions in federal funding to make much-needed upgrades, this critical investment will create jobs, cut down our commute times, and modernize our infrastructure — benefiting every single person here in the Third District and across the Commonwealth.”
“This substantial investment into our roadways will make driving safer; expand access to jobs and services; and help our climate through carbon reduction initiatives,” said Congressman Jake Auchincloss (MA-04).
“Anyone who drives down a road or bridge here in Massachusetts will tell you that they are often jam packed and in pretty abysmal condition. These conditions cost drivers more than $600 every single year, which is why we must fix our existing roads first, not expand them endlessly,” said Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06). “How we invest the money from this bill will determine whether we combat climate change or contribute to it. Investments in roads must reduce greenhouse gas emissions and impacts to air quality from those who remain on the road and be paired with expansion of transit and rail which provide greater environmental gains.”
“Thanks to the steadfast leadership of President Biden, we are finally—at long last—rebuilding America’s crumbling infrastructure,” said House Rules Committee Chairman James P. McGovern (MA-02). “Massachusetts residents are going to feel the major improvements these funds will make in the form of faster and safer commutes, less traffic, cleaner air, and less pollution. I’m proud of our delegation for playing a key role in the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and for securing these vital funds so we can invest in our future and build a better commonwealth for all.”
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