Tracking Transportation

Keeping track of transportation

Neal flexing muscles for east-west rail

Calls initiative a top priority, matter of regional equity

By Bruce Mohl Transportation 0 Comments Dec 2, 2021

US REP. RICHARD NEAL on Thursday signaled that he intends to use his considerable clout in Congress to deliver significant infrastructure funds for Massachusetts, particularly his personal priority — east-west rail. “Trains connecting Boston to Worcester, Springfield, and onto Pittsfield are a top priority of mine,” said Neal, the chairman of the House Ways and(...)

Mass. urgently needs a Plan B for TCI

We have wasted the last 30 years doing far too little

By Marc Draisen Climate change, Energy 0 Comments Dec 1, 2021

THE CANCELLATION of the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI), a centerpiece of the Commonwealth’s efforts to combat climate change, is deeply disappointing, because transportation causes over 40 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in Massachusetts. Political leaders in most of the participating states, including Gov. Charlie Baker, have demonstrated a lack of political courage to confront the(...)

The all-EV approach won’t work

Transportation decarbonization also requires getting people out of cars

By James Aloisi MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Nov 28, 2021

THERE’S A LOT of federal and municipal leadership in Massachusetts working hard to address the existential problem of global warming and the local public health crisis being caused by long-term exposure to particulate matter. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has taken swift action to move the Green New Deal from rhetoric to reality by signing a(...)

Mass. can play federal transportation funding game better

To compete, the MBTA needs its own planning department

By Ari Ofsevit and Julia Wallerce MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Nov 21, 2021

ON FRIDAY, we received the good news that Boston was awarded a $15 million federal “RAISE” grant for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and multimodal street improvements along Blue Hill Avenue. This is worth celebrating, but in the world of federal funding, we should aim higher. The Blue Hill Avenue project will speed trips for tens(...)

Rhode Island makes it trifecta on TCI

McKee’s reasons for withdrawing are the same as Baker’s

By Bruce Mohl Charlie Baker, Climate change, Energy 0 Comments Nov 20, 2021

CONNECTICUT GOV. NED LAMONT dropped out on Tuesday, Gov. Charlie Baker of Massachusetts called it quits on Thursday, and now Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee is pulling his state out of the transportation climate initiate. According to press reports in Rhode Island, McKee decided to withdraw from the cap-and-invest program for automobile fuels for the same(...)

This Sunday, think about ways to reduce traffic fatalities

Omnibus legislation tackles many of the dangers we face

By Michael Moran and Galen Mook Transportation 0 Comments Nov 19, 2021

ON SUNDAY, November 21, we recognize World Day of Remembrance — an international day of remembrance for those tragically killed or seriously injured on our roads. To mark the event, on Sunday evening, Boston City Hall, Government Center Station, and the Longfellow and Zakim bridges in Boston will all be lit in yellow. World Day(...)

MBTA gives Dalton extension through end of 2022

GLX manager has said he would like to remain at the T

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Nov 19, 2021

THE MBTA extended until the end of next year the contract of the manager overseeing the Green Line extension, giving him time to wrap up work on the project. During a recent appearance on The Codcast, John Dalton said his original five-year contract was nearing its expiration date and he needed an extension to see(...)

Baker pulls the plug on transportation climate initiative

Abandons cap-and-invest plan after Lamont’s decision to back away in CT

By Bruce Mohl Charlie Baker, Energy, Environment 0 Comments Nov 18, 2021

GOV. CHARLIE BAKER threw in the towel on his transportation climate initiative on Thursday just days after Gov. Ned Lamont of Connecticut did the same thing in his state. “The Baker-Polito Administration always maintained the Commonwealth would only move forward with TCI if multiple states committed, and, as that does not exist, the transportation climate(...)

T notes: New phenomenon – GLX leftover money

New T board completes business in 64 minutes

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Nov 17, 2021

AS COMPLETION of the Green Line extension approaches, it’s prompting a rare discussion at the MBTA – what to do with all the leftover money. Five years ago the project extending the Green Line to Somerville and Medford almost didn’t get built because the budget had ballooned from $2 billion to more than $3 billion.(...)

Wu proposes expanded free MBTA bus service

Mayor wants to use $8 million in federal aid to eliminate fares on 3 routes for two years

By Michael Jonas fare-free MBTA, Michelle Wu 0 Comments Nov 17, 2021

BOSTON MAYOR MICHELLE WU, who has faced a steady stream of doubters wondering how she would make good on a campaign vow to bring about fare-free MBTA service, used her first full day in office to begin to answer those skeptics: Step by step. Wu is asking the City Council to approve an $8 million(...)