Project will boost ridership on MBTA’s buses, reduce emissions, and make roadways safer

Boston (June 25, 2024) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Environment and Public Works Committee, alongside Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) todayannounced a $22.4 million grant for a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) project to make major bus transit improvements in Everett and Boston, Massachusetts. The grant was provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) under the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

Massachusetts will also receive two RAISE planning grants. Salem, Massachusetts will receive $2 million to study expansion to commuter rail, and Gardner, Massachusetts will receive $1.2 million to study accessibility enhancements to the city’s downtown. 

With the $22.4 million capital grant, the MBTA will make essential improvements to bus service in Everett and Boston along the Lower Broadway and Alford Street corridor, including bus-only lanes,priority signaling for buses, and new stop facilities. 

“Expanding bus transit along the Lower Broadway Corridor will be transformational for families in Everett and Boston,” said Senator Markey. “Reliable and efficient bus transit is the backbone of a functioning public transportation system. This investment will enhance bus service for the thousands of Everett and Boston riders, many of whom are Black, brown, and low-income and rely on buses to get to work, health care, groceries, and childcare. Just like dedicated lanes allow buses to operateefficiently, this funding is right on schedule.”

“We’re building a transit system that works for communities,” said Senator Warren. “It was clear we needed improvements in our bus system and we secured the funding to get it done for families here in Everett — that’s what government is all about.”

"These grant awards will be a critical boost to our efforts to ensure our transportation system is reliable and accessible for all of our residents and support the vibrancy of our downtowns. Our administration is committed to competing for federal funding opportunities like this that will improve quality of life in Massachusetts communities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We thank the Biden-Harris administration, U.S. DOT and our Congressional delegation for making this funding available.”

“Transit justice is economic and racial justice, and this $22 million investment to improve Everett’s bus transit system will be transformational for our most vulnerable communities who rely on public transportation,” said Congresswoman Pressley (MA-07). “By expanding and improving this service along the Lower Broadway Corridor, families will have increased mobility and freedom to access the essential services they need to live and thrive.”

“The MBTA is grateful for this major federal award for the Lower Broadway Everett Transit Priority Corridor Project, which prioritizes safety and will improve the commutes of thousands of our bus riders and the Everett community as a whole through newly constructed bus-only lanes and bus stops, fully separated bicycle facilities, improved pedestrian amenities, transit signal priority, and enhanced accessibility along the 1.2-mile Lower Broadway corridor,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “RAISE grants are intended to support transportation projects that connect people and communities, which creates jobs and supports economic growth. With the collaboration of our partner municipalities, we will now deliver long-awaited service to transit-hungry neighborhoods. Under the leadership of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, we continue to be aggressive in seeking all available federal discretionary funds as they are a critical component in our wider efforts to deliver safe, reliable, and improved transit for everyone. We appreciate the support of the Healey-Driscoll administration, congressional delegation, our partner municipalities in Everett and Boston especially for their collaboration on this grant application, and the many riders who will benefit from this upcoming project.”

“I am grateful to our federal delegation for their support of the years of hard work and collaboration between Everett, the MBTA, and many others that culminated in the awarding of this grant that will bring rapid transit to Everett. Bus Rapid Transit along the Broadway corridor will most importantly improve the daily commutes of thousands of Everett residents and provide greater access to education and employment options, while also helping to advance redevelopment opportunities that will uplift Everett and the region," said Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria.

“We are thankful to our federal partners for this investment in a more sustainable, equitable transportation system. Bus priority infrastructure helps us meet the needs of all T riders. This project strengthens our connections between neighborhoods, economic centers, and educational institutions by enhancing existing bus service and providing for a future Silver Line extension to Sullivan Square. We look forward to collaborating with our partners at the MBTA and City of Everett to provide high-quality public transit to all of our residents,” said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Chief of Streets for the City of Boston.

In April 2024, Senator Markey celebrated Massachusetts receiving $550 million in federal funding to expand public transit through Federal Transit Authority (FTA) funding in the 2024 fiscal year. In March, Senator Markey and the Massachusetts delegation announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation will provide $335 million in funding for Allston’s I-90 project, and in May the delegation celebrated $67 million in funding to make 14 Green Line stations fully accessible. In September 2023, Senator Markey celebrated the announcement of a $108 million grant for eventual West-East passenger train service running through Boston, Worcester, and Western Massachusetts. The Department of Transportation also recently announced $45 million infunding for investments to connect public and active transportation infrastructure, a result of Senator Markey’s language in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

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