AASHTO Journal, 18 April 2014
This week, members of the Massachusetts House and Senate approved a $12.7 billion transportation bond bill that will allow the state to begin construction on several major transportation projects across the state.
Early in the week, a six-person conference met this week and eventually reached a deal that included work on many “high-profile” projects, according to the Boston Herald, including some major transit investments: $2.3 billion for commuter rail service expansion, up to $1.3 billion for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Green Line extension to Medford, and $2.5 billion for new Red and Orange Line train purchases. The bill also calls for $300 million for local road improvements, an increase of $100 million over what was originally planned.
According to MassLive, the House passed the measure on Wednesday by a vote of 150-2. The Senate then passed the measure unanimously on Thursday, sending the bill to Gov. Deval Patrick for his signature. Additional information on the measure, H4046, is available here.
In Iowa, state representatives are also close to approving a transportation investment measure. According to the Des Moines Register, both the House and Senate have approved their own measures to fund road and bridge projects throughout the state. Last week, the House approved $358.2 million by a vote of 95-0. The Senate’s bill, passed the week before, “differs slightly” from the House bill, meaning the two chambers must conference and work out those differences.