City set to move forward on $21.5 million in ARRA roadway resurfacing projects
Expected to create over 200 jobs; represents further progress for ARRA infrastructure projects in Boston
December 21, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Thomas M. Menino today announced that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is now accepting contract bids on behalf of the City of Boston for $21.5 million worth of road repair and resurfacing projects in Boston. The funding, awarded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), will support five separate construction contracts covering a total of 18.6 miles of roadway in various neighborhoods of the City. Allston-Brighton, Charlestown, Dorchester, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Roslindale, South Boston, West Roxbury, and Downtown will all benefit from projects made possible by this funding.
“This is a fantastic start to what promises to be millions of dollars worth of job creation and drastic improvements to Boston’s infrastructure,” said Mayor Menino. “These types of projects not only stimulate the economy by providing people jobs in construction, but they also help create better business districts by improving the local infrastructure. We have once again shown that Boston is leading the way in utilizing stimulus funding, and we thank the Obama administration for their continued support in strengthening our local economy.”
The road construction will focus on Boston’s major thoroughfares and will include a complete repaving of certain streets as well as the installation of over 400 pedestrian sidewalk ramps. Approximately 4 miles of dedicated bike lanes will also be installed, adding to the approximately 10 miles of lanes installed throughout Boston over the last two years as part of Mayor Menino’s Boston Bikes program.
The City of Boston’s transportation and public works team have been actively pursuing ARRA funds for shovel ready transportation projects to create jobs and strengthen the City’s infrastructure. In addition to this major $21.5 million resurfacing investment, the City is advancing the overhaul of fifteen intersections along Dorchester Avenue as part of a $12.9 million reconstruction of the roadway. This project is expected to take two years to complete and will create over 100 jobs.
A $5 million Regional Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) grant will help to further bolster traffic infrastructure citywide. This project will result in 37 traffic management cameras located throughout the City, increasing the size and scope of the existing fiber optic network and upgrading equipment for the City’s Traffic Management Center. When completed, the upgrades will facilitate increased connectivity and communication between the traffic management and emergency responder groups in and among the City of Boston, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), and Mass Highway.
Under Mayor Menino’s leadership, the City has also filed two competitive Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants that were made available through ARRA. These two proposals for Rutherford Avenue and the Boston Marine Industrial Park potential represent $170 million in additional infrastructure investment. The Massachusetts Congressional Delegation, local government partners, labor, and the private sector have also added their support to the City’s TIGER grant proposals
Contact:
Mayor’s Office
pressoffice (at) cityofboston (dot) gov
