Stimulus funds help MBTA

February 14, 2001 The Patrick-Murray Administration said MBTA will hire of a diverse group of 15 employees with funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. The new jobs support the $9-million Fitchburg, Mass., Commuter Rail Line project, funded through the ARRA stimulus program and part of Governor Deval Patrick's Massachusetts Recovery Plan. The Massachusetts Congressional delegation worked with colleagues in Washington, D.C., to allocate a total of $319 million in recovery funds for transit projects at the Regional Transit Authorities and the MBTA.

The 15 track laborer jobs
involve work related to construction of track and right-of-way as part of the
larger Fitchburg project to modernize the existing commuter rail line along the
50-mile corridor from Fitchburg to Boston. MBCR operates and maintains the
commuter rail network under contract with the MBTA.

The project not only
creates new jobs, but also will benefit commuters through increased capacity
and faster travel times on the Fitchburg line.

The MBTA has applied for
additional stimulus funds to complete double tracking of the Fitchburg Commuter
Rail Line, allowing 80 mph travel speeds, up to 12 percent better on-time
performance and reduced operating and maintenance costs. The Fitchburg line is
the longest in the MBTA system in distance and travel time, serving a region
with limited commuter options.