05/04/2012

Compact Boosts Massachusetts Ports

Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray this week announced formation of the Ports of Massachusetts Compact agreement to boost economic development and capitalize on resources in the Commonwealth’s seaports.

The compact is signed by the mayors of Boston, New Bedford, Fall River, Gloucester and Salem along with MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey, Massport, the Massachusetts Secretaries of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Housing and Economic Development, and the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation. Lieutenant Governor Murray will serve as chair of the Compact.

The Compact’s initial action items will include fishing regulations, coastal shipping trends and recommending a plan for seaport coordination. Other Compact goals will include moving people and goods safely, securely and more efficiently through the five ports while providing intermodal connectivity for those doing business and visiting the Commonwealth.

Greenfield: Olver Transit Center Dedicated

Governor Deval Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray today joined Congressman John Olver in Greenfield for the dedication and official opening of the John W. Olver Transit Center. The innovative $12.8 million regional transit center funded by the federal stimulus American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is the transportation hub for Franklin County supporting public and private transit services, including future passenger rail service along the “Knowledge Corridor” Connecticut River Line.

The transit center will house the offices of the Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA) and Franklin Regional Council of Governments and is expected to be a catalyst for additional investment and redevelopment in downtown Greenfield.

The 24,000-square-foot “net zero” building is designed to drastically minimize energy use through energy efficiency measures and other design features, including the potential for on-site renewable energy generation.

Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray said, “Thanks to the leadership of Congressman Olver, who has been an incredibly valuable partner to this region, federal stimulus funds have supported the development of an innovative transit center that will increase transportation options and economic development in downtown Greenfield and across the region."

“I am pleased to see this innovative investment in the future of transportation and green energy come to fruition and honored by the name designation given to this modern facility,” said Congressman John W. Olver.

Chelsea Street Bridge to Reopen May 12

The new bridge carrying Chelsea Street over the Chelsea Creek at the Boston/Chelsea line is scheduled to reopen to traffic on Saturday, May 12.

Construction crews are completing the last of the major work items necessary to allow the opening of the new bridge. On March 15th, MassDOT projected the bridge would be ready for reopening in late April. As final work continued, crews encountered unforeseen conditions associated with the complex underwater operations. In addition, the schedule for the related channel dredging work being completed by the Army Corp of Engineers was delayed by the need to remove an abandoned sewer line beneath the bottom of the channel.

Final work items will continue after the bridge is opened to traffic on May 12, requiring overnight closures during May and early June that will not affect weekday commuter traffic. Additional work will be completed during the day after the morning commute with at least one lane of traffic open in each direction.

The historic $125.3 million project will improve the efficiency and operation of the bridge for vehicle traffic and for critical maritime vessels to safely navigate the channel.

MassDOT appreciates the continued patience that those affected by the closure of the bridge and the construction activities have shown throughout the duration of the project.

MassDOT Board June Public Meeting

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board of Directors will hold its next regular public business meeting on Wednesday, June 6, 1:00pm, MBTA Board Room, Suite 3910, State Transportation Building, Boston.    

The MBTA Board will meet first at 1pm, followed by the MassDOT Board.  All meetings are open to the public. The meeting schedule is available on the MassDOT website.

Board Meeting Schedule