Miles SmithThe Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority have voted on an agreement to invest $600 million in rail and station upgrades intended to improve safety and reliability.
The MassDOT and the MBTA boards of directors vote also established the Rail Reliability Program (RRP) and the Station Accessibility and Resiliency (STAR) Program, MassDOT said.
The funding will support the MBTA’s Track Improvement Program, which MassDOT said is making significant progress to remove slow zones across all lines, as well as new Red and Orange Line cars, new Commuter Rail coaches and station construction.
Terms of the agreement include:
- $85 million for the Track Improvement Program (TIP), which is a major track and replacement initiative to eliminate speed restrictions and bring all tracks into a five-year state of good repair.
- $148 million for new Red and Orange Line cars, which have proven essential for ensuring reliable and accessible service and increased capacity.
- $193 million for the procurement of bi-level Commuter Rail coaches to enhance capacity on the network and replace all single-level coaches.
- $95 million to advance construction projects at stations that will improve accessibility, resilience, and other needed repairs.
- $80 million to improve power and system resiliency, including the infrastructure to generate power, move transit rail cars, support key network systems such as traction power and substations, and provide facilities with energy.
“This agreement will bring critical funding to allow us to continue the progress we have made in addressing the important ongoing capital needs of the MBTA,” said Incoming MBTA Chair Tom McGee. “Working together we can address the significant funding challenges that the system faces today while building toward our vision of a world class transportation system.”
Photo courtesy Busdriver666
