The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is responsible for the management and oversight of the statewide transportation network of roads, bridges, tunnels and airports. The Department is organized into four divisions - Registry, Aeronautics, Transit and Highway. Investing in our transportation infrastructure creates thousands of jobs now and improves the environment for economic growth in the future. Over the past five years, the Patrick-Murray Administration has significantly increased investments in our roads, bridges, transit and other transportation system assets by allocating a larger portion of the capital budget and federal transportation funding to transportation investments, such as initiating the Accelerated Bridge Program and pursuing cost savings and reforms.
The following graph reflects the Administration's estimated capital investment in transportation projects and programs over the next five years, as compared to fiscal years 2007 and 2012 transportation related spending. With the winding down of the Accelerated Bridge Program, overall transportation investment is projected to peak in FY14 then decline in the out years.
Ensure Safety. MassDOT actively manages the transportation system to minimize risks and injuries through design, construction and oversight and empower employees to be responsible for their and the public's safety.
Promote Innovation. The Administration is developing and deploying new, better approaches and create an environment where people can use their talents to create better ways of doing business and delivering services.
Customer Service. MassDOT treats the public valued customers and provide superb service that anticipates and responds to customer needs and constantly strives to improve their experience.
Fiscal Responsibility. MassDOT obtains, invests and manages funds wisely and in a manner that fosters economic development.
The Patrick-Murray Administration continues its historic level of investment in infrastructure. Over the past five years, the Administration has doubled the capital investment in our road and bridge program and created the $3 billion Accelerated Bridge Program (ABP), the largest statewide infrastructure investment program ever.
With the additional investment provided by the ABP, the number of structurally deficient bridges in the Commonwealth is being reduced, from 534 to 437 - a nearly 20% decline.
Through the ABP, MassDOT has become a national leader in accelerated bridge construction. In July 2012, MassDOT hosted the Federal Highway Association's Northeast Peer-to-Peer Exchange on Prefabricated Bridge Elements. The attendees visited the River Street Heavy Lift project in Boston, as well as the Holloway Street and Bay Street prefabricated bridge element projects in Taunton, to learn how MassDOT has successfully implemented innovative technologies.
MassDOT's overall construction program creates or sustains more than 30,000 direct construction jobs across the Commonwealth.
The Administration has strategically invested close to $1 billion in the state's rail system through competitive grants, public funds and private sector capital. These investments, some ongoing through this capital investment plan, represent the most significant improvements in the Commonwealth's rail system as a whole in decades.
Bonds issued for ABP were rated AAA by Moody's and Standard & Poor's, reflecting the strength of the financing behind the program. The program also received the 'Deal of the Year' award from Bond Buyer magazine.
With $51 million in FY13 funding, DOT will continue work currently underway on the Green Line Extension in Somerville.
The capital investment plan funds continued design and permitting of the South Coast Rail project in FY13.
The capital investment plan continues to fund record levels of investment in rail programs, including the completion of the Knowledge Corridor in Western Massachusetts, the continued development of the Industrial Rail Access Program and the completion of the CSX rail purchase. The purchase of the Boston Main Line from CSX Transportation, Inc. and investments to improve the line will allow the MBTA to own and operate a 44 mile long rail line that will transport passengers between Boston and Worcester to ensure the safety and efficiency of public transportation.
$106 million will be dedicated to federally-assisted statewide road and bridge projects, providing a state match to $415 million in federal funds for road and bridge projects.
The Commonwealth will invest $121 million in non federally-assisted statewide road and bridge maintenance.
As the Administration continues to pursue additional investments, sav¬ings and examine new ways of doing business, it is clear that these steps alone will not achieve the level of funding necessary to maintain the Commonwealth's transportation system at today's level - let alone enhanced or expanded services. The needs statewide are too great. In 2007, the Transportation Finance Commission (TFC) estimated that the level of investment at the time would fall between $15-19 billion short of the amount needed to properly maintain our existing transportation infrastructure. While programs such as the Accelerated Bridge Program have had a dramatic impact on improving the Commonwealth's transportation infrastructure and making a dent in the TFC's projected deficit, the current level of available resources constrains the Patrick-Murray Administration's ability to address all of the needs. Despite these constraints, this capital investment plan continues to make the best use of available funds in supporting the Commonwealth's transportation needs.
Over the next several months, MassDOT will hold a series of public workshops to determine what the Commonwealth's transportation investment needs are - both now and in the future - and how the Commonwealth can pay for those projects and services. These workshops will culminate in a plan, published in January of 2013, which will chart a generational and sustainable path to finance improvements, both big and small, to the Commonwealth's transportation system.