MBTA Fairmount Line Projects Advance

Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray this week joined state and local officials on a tour of the MBTA Fairmount Corridor’s Newmarket Commuter Rail Station construction site.

The Newmarket district is the largest industrial area within the City of Boston and home to over 1,000 businesses, 16,000 jobs, and $4 billion in annual revenues. The completed $7.6 million Newmarket Station will be a destination linking people to jobs and promoting a more attractive area for business location.

“As we strategically invest in infrastructure across the state, improvements to the Fairmount Line will support one of the busiest transportation corridors in the Metro Boston area,” said Lieutenant Governor Murray. “The investments at Newmarket Station and other stations along the Fairmount Line will not only create construction jobs but also spur economic growth beyond the construction phase in neighborhoods surrounding this part of the city.”

Newmarket Station is the final of four commuter rail stations under construction as part of the Fairmount Commuter Rail Line Rehabilitation Project. The new station will include 800-foot high level platforms to facilitate direct platform-to-coach boarding , canopies, passenger shelters, benches and windscreens, and electronic message signs

Today marks the completion of phase I of the Fairmount Commuter Rail Rehabilitation Project begun in 2005, including the rehabilitation of Upham’s Corner and Morton stations; the reconstruction of three bridges; the implementation of new interlocking; and the de-leading and painting of neighborhood bridges. Phase II involves the construction of four new commuter rail stations with three of four station projects now underway: Four Corners/Geneva slated for completion in 2012; and Talbot Avenue and Newmarket Stations slated for completion in 2013. Blue Hill Avenue Station to be located in Mattapan is currently in design.

MassDOT Public Hearings: Fiscal 2013 Budget

MassDOT is conducting a series of public hearings on the Patrick/Murray Administration’s upcoming Fiscal Year 2013 budget. Secretary Richard Davey and Division Administrators look forward to discussing budget priorities, challenges and solutions. The two remaining hearings are as follows:

• Monday, Dec. 12, from 3-5 p.m. in Boston, Statehouse, Room A-1
• Thursday, Dec. 15, from 2-4 p.m. at the Springfield State Office Building, 436 Dwight Street

Written comment is encouraged prior to the hearing. Interested parties may also submit written comments at the hearing or through the close of business on Dec. 22. Comments should be addressed to:

Secretary Richard Davey, MassDOT
10 Park Plaza
Boston, MA 02116
ATTN: FY13 Budget

Boston Casey Overpass Update

MassDOT beginning in 2011 has organized a robust public engagement process as part of the planning for the Casey Overpass Replacement Project. The Public Comment Period was extended to accept comments postmarked by Friday, December 9, 2011.

The Working Advisory Group meeting set for Dec. 12th and the Public Meeting set for December 14th have been postponed until January 2012. Revised meeting dates for January will be distributed to the media, public, and posted on the Casey Overpass website, http://massdot.state.ma.us/CaseyOverpass

MassDOT Board January Public Meeting

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board of Directors will hold its next regular public business meeting on Wednesday, January 4 , 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