MassDOT, MBTA OK $18.3 billion capital plan

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation's (MassDOT) board and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's (MBTA) fiscal management board earlier this week voted to approve a five-year $18.3 billion capital investment plan (CIP) for fiscal years 2020-2024.

The CIP marks an increase of $1 billion compared with the previous five-year CIP, according to a MassDOT press release.

“We are continuing to invest historic levels of funding into the MBTA and strengthen our roadway and bridge networks in order to provide a more reliable transportation system across Massachusetts,” said Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker in the press release.

The plan calls for:

• $1.58 billion for Red and Orange line improvements, including $753.7 million to replace the 404-vehicle fleet, $591.5 million to upgrade maintenance facilities and infrastructure, and $253 million to upgrade to modern digital signal systems; 
• $875 million for additional capital investments in the Red Line. This includes $114.9 million for rehabilitating the Longfellow Approach viaduct; $118 million in new funding to modernize the bridges, stations, track on the Mattapan Line; and $640.6 million for other improvements to the Red Line, including bridges, track, signals, stations and accessibility improvements;
• $1.36 billion for the Green Line Extension Project, including $1.1 billion for tracks, railroad bridges, signals, stations, and other infrastructure work, $86.7 million to purchase 24 accessible vehicles, and $29.4 million for transportation mitigation options;
• $1 billion for the South Coast Rail Project;
• $913 million for the Green Line Transformation, including $296 million in track and signal improvements; $214 million to begin procuring light-rail vehicles; $83 million for the Green Line’s train protection system; $55 million for rehabilitation of the Lechmere Viaduct in order to accommodate the heavier vehicles; and
• $538.6 million for the Commuter Rail Safety and Resiliency Program. This includes $171.9 million to complete implementation of positive train control across all commuter rail lines and $313.8 million to upgrade signal systems to automatic train control on the north side commuter rail lines.

The CIP includes all MassDOT road and bridge projects, public use airports, rail and transit, including the MBTA and regional transit authorities.The CIP is a rolling five-year plan that is updated annually.