MassDOT unveils first draft of new five-year capital plan

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) released the first draft five-year MassDOT Capital Investment Plan (CIP) for FY2014-FY2018, a $12.4-billion program that will create growth and opportunity for residents across the commonwealth.

“We invest in our transportation infrastructure because roads, rail and bridges create a foundation that supports private sector investment and expanded opportunity for all our residents,” said Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patricksaid. “This plan makes investments across the entire state, is flexible and spends wisely while creating thousands of jobs over the next several years.”

The five-year CIP includes $1.3 billion to complete the Green Line Extension, providing full service to Somerville and Medford by 2020; $835 million to begin the $1.3-billion replacement program of 43-year old Red Line vehicles and 31-year old Orange Line vehicles, as well as improvements to tracks, signals and systems; $254 million for South Coast Rail, including early action improvements to rail ties, signal systems and bridges, as well as beginning preliminary engineering for the project and $252 million for implementation of diesel multiple unit service on the Fairmount Line and expansion of the Silver Line to Chelsea.

MassDOT will host public meetings across the commonwealth to receive feedback on the draft CIP plan, which is expected to be delivered to the MassDOT Board of Directors for consideration in February.