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    1. Rail
    2. Infrastructure

    Massachusetts supplemental budget bill includes $18 million for MBTA

    Jan. 9, 2020
    The supplemental bill would provide additional funds for transportation, as well as other commonwealth priorities.
    MassDOT
    Tamping track on the MBTA's Red Line.
    Tamping track on the MBTA's Red Line.

    A $74.2-million supplemental budget bill for Fiscal Year 2020 in Massachusetts has been filed by the Baker-Polito Administration to address budget deficiencies. The bill includes $18 million to support Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) infrastructure and safety investments, as well as funds for education and clean drinking water.  

    “This legislation will provide additional resources to enhance the safety of MBTA infrastructure, improve local schools and support testing for PFAS contamination in drinking water supplies,” said Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker. “We look forward to working with the legislature to pass this bill into law and deliver these much-needed investments.”

    The additional $18 million provided to the MBTA in the supplemental bill when combined with the $32 million authorized in the FY19 final supplemental budget bill, would bring the authority’s authorized spending to $50 million and would support additional staff, contractors and other resources. The commonwealth explains that the resources are necessary to expedite the completion of critical capital projects, enable proactive inspections to detect and address safety and reliability issues before they impact service and implement enhanced maintenance procedures to ensure the reliable operation of MBTA vehicles and infrastructure.

    “Our administration is committed to supporting growth and development for our community partners throughout the commonwealth,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. “These meaningful investments support public transit, health care and education priorities in a responsible manner and provide needed funding for local municipalities across Massachusetts.”

    The supplemental budget bill will move to the House and Senate of the commonwealth for consideration.

    “The commonwealth is expected to have sufficient revenues to finance these appropriations and measures in Fiscal Year 2020,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael J. Heffernan. “This supplemental spending proposal continues the Baker-Polito Administration’s focus on improving public infrastructure, services and programs in a reliable and fiscally disciplined way.”

    About the Author

    Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

    Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

    Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content. 

    She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.  

    She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.

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