Transportation Reform

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Governor Patrick    FY2012 House 1 Budget Recommendation:
    Issues in Brief

    Deval L. Patrick, Governor
    Timothy P. Murray, Lt. Governor

 

Since the enactment of transportation reform legislation one year ago that creates a single, unified Transportation Department (MassDOT), MassDOT established the following four new divisions: Highway, Rail and Transit, Aeronautics and the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). In addition an Office of Planning and Programming provides shared services in the areas of finance, human resources, finance, legal, procurement, real estate management, information technology and planning.  Under the reform act, the MBTA remains a separate legal entity, but is subject to greater levels of oversight by and coordination with MassDOT.

An organization chart showing the hierarchy of MassDOT.  The department is organized into the following five divisions, Highway, Mass Transit, Aeronautics, and Motor Vehicles.

Transportation Reform Year One Successes

Over the past year employees from former state transportation agencies, quasi-independent authorities and other state agencies continue to implement the activities necessary to effect this historic reform act.  The Commonwealth has already realized the following savings, efficiencies and established programs dedicated to improving the system:

Capital Investments in our Transportation Infrastructure

The Patrick-Murray Administration significantly increased investments to improve our roads, bridges, transit and other transportation system assets by allocating a larger portion of the capital budget to transportation investments, initiating the Accelerated Bridge Program, and securing additional revenue dedicated to transportation.  Capital Infrastructure spending on transportation projects, including federal reimbursements for the statewide road and bridge program, and the “Chapter 90” aid for municipally owned roads and bridges will show an 89% increase in fiscal year 2012 when compared to fiscal year 2007.

The following chart shows capital infrastructure spending through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation between fiscal year 2007 and projected levels for fiscal year 2012

Transportation capital spending has increased from $1 billion in fiscal year 2007 to its highest level of $2.2 billion projected for fiscal year 2012.  Of this investment in fiscal year 2012, about $500 million will be used to finance projects in the accelerated bridge program.

Transportation Reform – Year 2

In fiscal year 2012, MassDOT will continue to focus on delivering excellent customer service and becoming the nation’s safest and most reliable transportation system.

The MassDOT website, www.mass.gov/massdot, is routinely updated with progress reports demonstrating the department’s commitment to safety, becoming the national leader in transportation and regaining the public’s trust.


Prepared by Kelly Driscoll, Executive Office for Administration and Finance ·
www.mass.gov/budget/governor
For more information contact: contactanf@massmail.state.ma.us (617) 727-2040