10/26/2012

MassDOT Statewide Transportation Conversation

MassDOT next week will continue statewide public meetings, 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 has now scheduled more than 15 meetings through early December.

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

One meeting is scheduled for next week:

October 30, 2012
The meeting scheduled in Brockton has been postponed due to weather and will be rescheduled.

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

Moving Together 2012: Record Attendance

Moving Together 2012, the Commonwealth’s annual statewide walking and bicycling conference, welcomed a record 340+ participants committed to advance healthy transportation.

Nine workshops focused on “Mode Shift to Healthier State” featuring public health, land use and transportation panelists from across the Commonwealth on steps to fund, educate, design, implement, and increase the number of walking and bicycling trips taken in the Commonwealth.

Conference attendees shared their ideas on strategies to promote mode shift. Wendy Landman (WalkBoston), David Watson (MassBike), Steve Miller (Livable Streets) and Catherine Cagle (MassDOT) from the new Massachusetts Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board focused on the mode shift ideas generated at the conference which will be shared with Secretary Davey.

Hudson Bridge Reconstruction Begins

MassDOT and town officials in Hudson broke ground on the the Houghton Street Bridge project.

The $2.87 million project includes complete reconstruction of the existing bridge along with construction of a temporary pedestrian bridge. The project is expected to be complete in June 2014.

“By forming partnerships like this with the town of Hudson, we are truly able to make positive changes for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians – our customers – at the local level,” said Richard A. Davey, MassDOT Secretary and CEO. “The Patrick-Murray Administration has made investment in our infrastructure a primary goal, and nowhere is that better displayed than here in Hudson.”

The town-owned bridge closed in 2006 following an inspection. “This bridge serves as a critical link for travel through and around the principal commercial district for Hudson,” said Frank DePaola, MassDOT Highway Administrator.

During reconstruction, vehicular travel will be rerouted via the existing detour in place.

RMV Operation Yellow Blitz

MassDOT Registry of Motor Vehicles Registrar Rachel Kaprielian this week in Lexington joined the RMV Vehicle Safety & Compliance team and local police checking local bus stops as part of Operation Yellow Blitz during National School Bus Safety Week.

Yellow Blitz is an appeal by the RMV, local law enforcement, and school pupil transportation providers to draw attention to the problem of vehicles illegally passing school buses that are picking-up and discharging school pupils.

Those caught illegally passing school buses face a $250 fine for their first offense. A total of 32 citations were issued in participating communities across the state for illegally passing school buses.

In addition, on Monday and Tuesday of School Bus Safety Week the RMV along with its partners at the Department of Public Utilities conducted 145 compliance checks of school buses and school bus operators. The random checks resulted in the discovery of mechanical or safety problems on eight buses and four operators were found without their certifications on-hand.

MassDOT Board November Public Meeting

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board of Directors will hold its next regular public business meeting on Wednesday, November 7, 1:00pm, MBTA Board Room, Suite 3830, 10 Park Plaza, Boston.

The meeting schedule is available on the MassDOT website.
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/BoardsCommittees/BoardofDirectors/BoardMeetings.aspx