Largest federal award MBTA has won to date

Boston - The Healey-Driscoll Administration, the Massachusetts Congressional delegation and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu are celebrating that Massachusetts has been awarded nearly half a billion dollars from the U.S. Department of Transportation to replace the North Station Draw One Bridge. The project will allow for more train capacity, faster and more reliable rides, and increased safety on MBTA commuter rail and Amtrak trains. The $472,300,616 awarded to the MBTA came from the National Infrastructure Project Assistance program (MEGA) as part of the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant program. This is the largest federal award the MBTA has won to date. 

“We know that improving our transportation infrastructure is critical for improving quality of life and making sure Massachusetts remains the best place to live, work, raise a family and build a future,” said Governor Maura Healey. “That’s why our administration is competing so aggressively to win federal funding that can be put toward our roads, bridges and public transportation. Congratulations to General Manager Eng and the MBTA team for this award that will improve train service for millions of riders. We’re grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation for their continued investment in Massachusetts’ transportation infrastructure.” 

“As someone who often commutes from North of Boston, I know firsthand what a difference this bridge replacement will make,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration and the MBTA, riders will have faster, safer and more reliable rides to and from North Station. This project will support thousands of good-paying jobs and ensure our infrastructure remains strong and safe into the future.” 

“This $472 million investment is a game-changer for the thousands of passengers who pass through North Station every day — and will build a safer, more reliable public transit system for the Commonwealth,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “Massachusetts leaders worked together to secure the largest ever federal award for the T, and I won’t stop fighting to bring home even more investment to improve transit across the Commonwealth.” 

“With $472 million to replace the North Station drawbridge, we’re drawing up a new future for rail transit north of Boston,” said Senator Ed Markey. “I’m grateful to the Biden-Harris administration, Governor Healey, General Manager Eng, Senator Warren, and our whole federal delegation for securing this funding. Together, we are delivering critical federal dollars to the T and building a modern, safe, and reliable public transit system for all.” 

“I am pleased to join my colleagues in government to announce the State of Massachusetts was awarded over $472 million in federal funding that will help improve MBTA and Amtrak services,” said Congressman Stephen Lynch. “This funding is the result of our hard work and partnership with the Biden-Harris administration to ensure we invest into our nation’s transportation and infrastructure. People all over the Commonwealth rely on public transportation every day, and this DOT grant is critical to make the necessary repairs and replacements that will make train service more safe and reliable.” 

“Transit justice is a racial and economic justice issue, and a matter of public safety – and this massive federal investment help make the Commonwealth more connected and our transportation system safer and more reliable for commuters,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. “I’m glad that families in the Massachusetts 7th who depend on the commuter rail will be better able to access jobs, healthcare, education, and essential services in other parts of the state, and we won’t stop fighting to build the more just, equitable, and accessible transit system our communities deserve. I thank my delegation colleagues and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their partnership, and the Biden-Harris Administration for continuing to invest in Massachusetts.” 

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver unprecedented federal investments to make our transit systems safer and more efficient,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan. “This massive award is proof that, thanks to the strong partnership between our federal delegation and the Healey-Driscoll administration, Massachusetts continues to punch above our weight when competing for federal funding.” 

"This bridge is a critical connection point for the communities north of Boston. This federal investment will improve the quality of life for commuters, reduce traffic for everyone, and bring opportunity to the Commonwealth,” said Congresswoman Katherine Clark. We will have a faster, more modern, and more user-friendly public transportation system, and that's exactly the direction we need to move in." 

“Draw One is a critical piece of infrastructure for Massachusetts and New England -- one that my constituents rely on each day. This funding is a testament to the efforts of the Healey-Driscoll Administration when it comes to fighting for every federal dollar to bring fast and frequent transportation, a healthy climate, and economic opportunity to all Massachusetts’ residents,” said Congressman Seth Moulton. “Federal investments like this one also set the stage for more strategic investments that could transform our commuter rail system in one that better serves the region for generations to come.” 

“North Station Draw One is a connection point between Boston and Cambridge, and the many cities and towns north who rely on this train bridge to visit and work in our city,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. “Thanks to the leadership of our federal delegation and the Healey-Driscoll administration in securing this funding, the Greater Boston area will see benefits from updated infrastructure and more reliable transportation. This funding for a bridge replacement represents our region’s commitment to our local economy and green transit.”   

Draw One is a Depression-era drawbridge that spans the Charles River and connects the Cities of Boston and Cambridge. The bridge carries the MBTA Commuter Rail and Amtrak trains, serving approximately 11,250,000 passengers per year. The MBTA lines that utilize the bridge are the Haverhill, Lowell, Newburyport/Rockport, and Fitchburg Commuter Rail lines. Project features include the replacement and modernization of the existing drawbridge, replacement of a control tower, extension of the bridge platform, connection of tracks 11 and 12 to the existing network, station improvements, and upgrades to track, signal, communications, and infrastructure. The project will also support more than 14,500 jobs, make the bridge more climate resilient by brining it above project sea-level rise, and lower emissions. 

“This is a huge win for the Healey-Driscoll administration, General Manager Eng, and his team at the MBTA. We thank the Biden-Harris Administration, US Department of Transportation, and our federal delegation for their unwavering support for this transformational project,” said Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “This funding will help build greater connectivity for rail operations, create a better travel experience for users, and provide key upgrades that will benefit residents and visitors alike.” 

“I’m proud of the MBTA team that worked diligently to put this project in a strong position to win this highly competitive federal award. I thank the USDOT Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Deputy Secretary of Transportation Polly Trottenberg, and our partners at the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool, FTA Region 1 Administrator Pete Butler, and their entire team, for this incredible award allowing us to deliver the North Station Draw 1 project, freeing up state capital dollars for other essential needs,” said MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “This award continues to demonstrate our aggressive approach to pursuing all funding opportunities under the lead of the Healey-Driscoll Administration as we pursue every available federal grant. Our Grants and North Station Drawbridge teams deserve all the credit for their exceptional work to secure this funding which allows us to ensure the efficient and reliable movement of all North Station train lines while greatly improving our ability to provide more frequent, regional rail-style service across the entire northside corridor to serve future generations to come.” 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has prioritized aggressively competing for federal funding. Since Governor Healey took office, the state has pulled in almost $8 billion in federal funding, including over $4 billion allotted by formula and more than $3.5 billion in discretionary grant awards. The funds have successfully supported projects across the state related to transportation, climate resiliency, job creation, and economic development.  

“This is tremendous win demonstrates the continued success of this administration's aggressive strategy for securing federal dollars,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. "These Bipartisan Infrastructure Law dollars will help us modernize and improve this critical part of our public transit system, creating thousands of jobs and benefitting millions of riders in the process. We are deeply grateful to Secretary Buttigieg and all of the Biden-Harris administration for their continued support of Massachusetts.” 

This is the latest in a string of federal grants awarded to the MBTA, which has successfully secured an award from every grant program it has applied for since the beginning of the year, signaling a growth in confidence in its ability to efficiently deliver productive results. Recent awards include $67.6 million to advance accessibility at MBTA Green Line stations, nearly $40 million in support of the Battery-Electric Bus Transition Phase 1B Project to replace the diesel-fueled buses at the Quincy Bus Maintenance Facility with state-of-the-art battery-electric buses (BEBs), $22 million to construct hybrid center-running bus lanes and make bike and pedestrian improvements through the Lower Broadway Everett Transit Priority Corridor Project, $3.8 million in transit security funds, $2.1 million to pilot technology upgrades on 175 buses to assist with “blind spot” challenges, and $1.2 million to advance the Alewife Station and Garage Technical Assistance Program. 

Other recent major transportation awards for Massachusetts include a total of $1.2 billion to replace the Cape Cod Bridges, $335 million to reconnect communities and increase mobility through the Allston I-90 Multimodal Project, $108 million for West-East Rail, $75 million for schools to electrify their bus fleets, $60 million for transit agencies to acquire zero- and low-emission buses, and $24 million to rehabilitate Leonard’s Wharf in New Bedford.