Linsky Announces Local Projects in Transportation Bond Bill

BOSTON – State Representative David Linsky (D-Natick) today announced that the Massachusetts House of Representatives accepted the Conference Committee report and enacted the Transportation Bond Bill which will allocate funding for hundreds of important transportation projects throughout the state.  The bond bill also authorizes $300 million in Chapter 90 funding to help cities and towns complete local road, bridge and infrastructure improvement projects.

Among the local projects included in the bill were earmarks for projects in Natick, Sherborn, and Millis:

·  $4.1 million  for improvements to the Route 27/Route 9 intersection in Natick;

 · $5 million for the construction of a parking garage in downtown Natick;

 · $2,358,000 for the construction of the new Marion Street Bridge in the town of Natick;

 · $3 million for the construction of the Cochituate Rail Trail in  Natick;

 ·  $1 million for the reconstruction design of  Village Street in Millis from Main Street to the Medway town line;

 · $500,000 for the design and installation of a walkway from The Woodhaven Senior Housing Complex to the downtown area in Sherborn; and

 ·  $4.6 million for engineering and drainage installation on Lake Street, Goulding Street West and Forest Street in Sherborn.

In addition to the newly earmarked projects the Transportation Bond Bill also re-authorized earmarks for prior bond bills. The following local earmarks were re-authorized:

 · $1 million for the construction of an access road to the Pine Hill Elementary School in Sherborn; 

· $930,000 for the design and reconstruction of the intersection of Exchange Street, Curve Street, and Plain Street in the town of Millis; 

·  $750,000 for the re-paving of the Pleasant Street Bridge over the Charles River in Natick; 

· $750,000 for the re-paving of the Boden Lane Bridge over the CSX railroad tracks in Natick; and 

 “Transportation infrastructure plays a key role in the Massachusetts economy,” said Representative Linsky.  “These local earmarks for Natick, Sherborn, and Millis will help the towns address needed road and bridge repairs, increase parking, improve pedestrian safety, and other critical infrastructure improvements.”  

Once approved by the Senate, the Transportation Bond Bill will be sent to Governor Deval Patrick for his signature.

###