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The Healey-Driscoll Administration is today celebrating news that it has won $335.4 million in federal funding for the Allston Multimodal Project in Boston.  

The project will replace the Allston Viaduct, which carries the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) from the Allston Interchange to the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and makes transportation infrastructure improvements to nearby roads and the railroad corridor. Additionally, the project will create new and improved access to expanded waterfront parks and open space in an Environmental Justice community. It includes construction of the MBTA’s West Station along the Worcester Commuter Rail Line, a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge, and four acres of new parkland. 

The award announced today follows the administration’s application in September 2023 to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant Program” (RCN) that provides funding to remove or mitigate highways and other transportation infrastructure that create barriers for community connectivity. The federal program includes $3.3 billion in funding for FY23 from both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.  

The successful application for RCN grant funding announced today was the result of close coordination with the City of Boston, Harvard University, and Boston University, in addition to other local partners.  

“This is another major win for Massachusetts. The Allston Multimodal Project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve transportation infrastructure in the Allston community and better connect residents across the state with housing and job opportunities,” said Governor Maura Healey. "We’re grateful for the partnership of the Biden-Harris administration, our Congressional delegation, the City of Boston and other partners to drive progress on this important project.” 

“Our administration continues to bring people together and drive progress on critical infrastructure projects that have long been stalled in our state. The Allston Multimodal Project is part of our commitment to making investments that are good for the economy and good for our residents, whether they want to travel on foot, on bike, on public transportation, or by automobile,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This federal grant will help build a project that will have widespread benefits in the decades ahead, improving access to the Charles River, between Boston and points west, and for everyone taking trips in the Allston area.” 

“The Allston neighborhood will no longer be cut off from the Charles River and other nearby destinations by an elevated highway when the multimodal project is built,” said Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt.  “The Allston Multimodal Project will be transformational for people who live, work, and travel in this area of Boston and the federal grant puts us on the way to getting the necessary funds to advance the project’s design and construction.” 

“The City of Boston is grateful to our federal delegation and to MassDOT for their support in moving this transformational project forward,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. “The Allston Multimodal Project will improve public transit, expand parkland, reconnect residents to beautiful open space along the Charles River, and create new opportunities for housing and jobs—and bring much-needed fixes for crumbling infrastructure. We will continue to work with the Allston community to refine a design that improves for our City for generations to come." 

The multimodal project will result in many benefits, including, reconnecting a neighborhood currently separated by an interstate highway and advancing environmental justice, increasing access to regional multimodal transportation, providing a unique opportunity for equitable economic and workforce development, and building on comprehensive community engagement for the future transportation network in this area.  

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has secured nearly $3 billion in federal funding grants since taking office and currently the administration has $2 billion in pending grant requests. The Allston Multimodal RCN application is among other federal funding awards for transportation projects: 

• a $108 million award towards West-East rail,  

• a $375 million award for the Sagamore Bridge project, 

• $249.4 million for the MBTA in discretionary grant funding, and,  

• A $116 million grant for the MBTA’s purchase of battery-electric buses.   

In addition to the RCN grant of $335.4 million announced today for the Allston Multimodal Project, other RCN grant awards have included:  

• $452,000 - Haverhill- Removing the Scars of Urban Renewal 

• $561,000- Lynn- Riverworks Reimagined  

• $1.2 million- Everett- Uniting Neighborhoods and Transit Opportunities 

• $2.4 million- Cambridge- Fitchburg Commuter Rail- Pedestrian crossing 

• $2.5 million- Boston- Chelsea Creek Waterfront 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration continues to wait for federal government review of other transportation grant applications, including an application for $1.06 billion in grant funding through the Bridge Investment Program (BIP) Large Bridge Project Program for replacement of the Sagamore Bridge. MassDOT is the lead applicant, applying jointly with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as the owner of the bridge.  

To learn more about the Allston Multimodal Project, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-the-allston-multimodal-project 

In 2023, the Healey-Driscoll Administration established, “The Federal Funds & Infrastructure Office,” (FFIO) to lead an ambitious inter-agency strategy for the Commonwealth to successfully compete for the historic levels of federal funding available from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the CHIPS and Science Act, and more. FFIO is responsible for tracking federal opportunities, facilitating the submission of successful applications for federal funding, and advocating on behalf of Massachusetts projects that advance key priorities including infrastructure, jobs, economic competitiveness, affordable housing, clean energy, decarbonization, resilience, equity, and workforce development. 

FFIO chairs the Advisory Council on Federal Funds and Infrastructure which includes designees from each executive office and serves as the government-wide coordinating body for the Commonwealth's federal funds strategy. 

FFIO also leads the monthly Massachusetts Federal Funds Partnership meeting which provides information on available federal funding opportunities and advises local government on which federal grant programs can best help them meet their needs.  To learn more, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/federal-funds-infrastructure-office 

“This successful award for the Allston multimodal project and the five other Reconnecting Communities awards are the result of our whole-of-government strategy to maximize the federal funding available to Massachusetts for improving infrastructure, providing increased access to multimodal transportation, and furthering our climate goals, all while creating good paying jobs and equitable economic growth.” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “Thank you to President Biden, Secretary Buttigieg and our partners in the Massachusetts congressional delegation for making possible this exciting award. We look forward to continuing these strong partnerships to secure funding for communities across Massachusetts.” 

To learn more about MassDOT’s process for allocating federal and state funding, please visit the webpage for the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).  The STIP is a list of projects prepared yearly by The Office of Transportation Planning. The list includes projects such as multi-use paths, bridges, roads, sidewalks and transit investments. The STIP is a combined effort between MassDOT and many state agencies that work together to design and build highways and transit projects:  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/state-transportation-improvement-program-stip.

“The $335 million we’ve secured for Allston will be transformational to the city and make the kind of changes to peoples’ lives that they can see and feel,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “Families in Boston, especially those who are disadvantaged, deserve this funding to connect their communities with public transit and new bike lanes, to open more public spaces for our kids to play outside, and to create thousands of good, new jobs.” 

“With this funding for the Allston Multimodal Project, we’re healing the scars of antiquated highway projects that ripped apart Black, brown, and low-income communities. We’re advancing an effort that centers environmental justice communities in Allston and Brighton, better connecting these neighborhoods with each other, with the rest of Greater Boston, and with our Commonwealth as a whole,” said Senator Ed Markey. “This monumental project will benefit environmental justice communities in Allston and Brighton, expand public transit access, enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists and improve travel for people traveling between Boston and places west of the city. I was proud to advocate to Secretary Buttigieg personally on behalf of this project, and I am grateful for the shared advocacy with Senator Warren and our entire congressional delegation.” 

“Transit justice is a matter of racial justice, economic justice, and public safety, and this critical federal investment will bring us closer to realizing our collective vision for transportation that works for every user,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley, founding Co-Chair of the Future of Transportation Caucus. “I am proud to have helped secure this federal funding, which will help address the dysfunction of the current lay-out and give us the opportunity to build equitable, accessible, and safe commuting options that Allston Brighton residents and folks across the Massachusetts 7th deserve. I am grateful to our community members and transit justice advocates for their years of organizing that has helped make a more sustainable and equitable future possible.”

The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced an investment of $50 million in initiatives to build out electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across Massachusetts. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will increase access to charging infrastructure for more residents, electrify the state fleet, improve operation of public charging stations, manage the impact of charging infrastructure on the electric grid, and provide charging solutions for difficult to electrify vehicle types.  

“State and rideshare vehicles contribute a disproportionate amount of transportation emissions, so by investing in the electrification of these vehicles, we can have a much more cost-effective impact on emissions,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration is committed to leading by example in addressing climate change, and we are pleased that these funds will also allow Massachusetts to more quickly electrify its fleet.” 

“Many Massachusetts drivers want to make the switch to electric vehicles, but worry about access to charging,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This investment will break down barriers to widespread electric vehicle adoption and help Massachusetts meet its ambitious greenhouse gas emissions targets.” 

The $50 million in ARPA funds will support innovative EV technology programs at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), charging infrastructure investments for the state fleet through Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) and the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), testing equipment and staff at the Division of Standards (DOS) to conduct inspections of public charging stations, and future analysis of EV charging needs by the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Coordinating Council (EVICC).    

“Vehicle emissions not only contribute significantly to climate change, but also impact public health, especially in environmental justice communities,” said **Secretary for Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper. **“With this funding, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is creating more equitable access to clean transportation and ensuring drivers in all communities across Massachusetts have the option to choose an electric vehicle.” 

“This funding will help make a bigger impact in the lives of our residents across the state as it relates to the future of transportation,” said **Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. **“Taking the steps to increase measures like fast-charging stations and decarbonization will position us to offer better choices to residents that will be good for the environment and for us as we all work to respond to climate change.” 

“Decarbonization and addressing climate change are core priorities of DCAMM’s operations,” said DCAMM Commissioner Adam Baacke. “We are excited to be a part of this important investment in EV charging infrastructure.”   

“This significant investment from the Healey-Driscoll Administration will help make the transition to electric vehicles a more accessible and affordable opportunity for the Commonwealth’s residents and business owners,” said MassCEC CEO Dr. Emily Reichert. “These ARPA funds will directly impact our work to increase curbside charging stations, expand mobile charging for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, speed up the electrification of taxi and rideshare fleets, and advance emerging technology that allows EV owners to use their car to power other sources." 

The following initiatives will receive funding: 

**Electric Vehicle Curbside Parking for Residents in Multi-Unit Dwellings - $12.5 million **

MassCEC will work to help municipalities expand access to EV charging for residents with limited access to home charging, particularly in environmental justice and urban communities. Pole-mounted and streetlight chargers represent a promising strategy to use existing assets to expand access to curbside charging, but this potential is limited by barriers such as regulatory hurdles, complex ownership structures and unclear business and financial models. 

The project aims to increase the number of overnight curbside charging stations, including accessible pole-mounted and streetlamp EV charging solutions. A technical consultant will deploy on-street charging near multi-unit dwelling neighborhoods and provide guidance to municipalities for future implementation. 

**Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electrification Mobile Charging Solutions - $9.5 million **

Medium and Heavy-Duty (MDHD) vehicles make up 3% of Massachusetts vehicles, yet produce 20% of on-road vehicle emissions, making their electrification critical to reaching the state’s climate goals and to improve air quality in environmental justice communities, especially those near warehouses and ports. One major challenge to achieving electrification in this sector is project delays due to limits in grid infrastructure. Mobile charging represents a promising technology that could help fleet operators avoid delays and resist the urge to overbuild through temporary mobile charging solutions. MassCEC will complete a market characterization study paired with deployment projects to demonstrate mobile charging financial models and use cases.  

**Ride-For-Hire Vehicle Electrification Charging Solutions - $8 million **

Uber, Lyft and taxi drivers drive a lot of miles, spend a lot of money on gasoline, and need a lot of charging. MassCEC will deploy EV charging to support the electrification of taxi and transportation network company (TNC) fleets. Electrification of this sector can help support the deployment of electric vehicles in urban areas and environmental justice communities. For example, studies in California show that while TNC drivers make up less than 3% of electric vehicle (EV) drivers, they account for over 40% of all public fast charger use. This project will fund level 2 and fast charging infrastructure projects with a focus on deploying charging resources in environmental justice communities, where a high percentage of TNC drivers reside.  

**Vehicle-To-Everything (V2X) Analysis and Demonstration Projects - $8 million **

The widespread deployment of bidirectional technology would allow EV owners to use their car battery as a resource to reduce home energy costs or sell electricity onto the grid. V2X systems both charge and discharge an EV’s battery, enabling EVs to act as a grid resource by sending energy stored in the onboard battery to the local utility grid or to a grid-connected asset such as a building. This would have the potential transform our relationship with the grid, providing EV drivers with a mobile source of storage and opening up potential revenue streams to support EV adoption for low-income drivers. MassCEC will complete a market characterization analysis and demonstration projects that support vehicle-to-grid and/or vehicle-to-building projects designed to reduce peak demand and provide grid services.  

**EV Charging at Priority State Facilities - $9.5 million **

DCAMM will seek to install fleet EV charging infrastructure in 60 or more high priority sites at state facilities. Each site would receive an average of 4 EV ports and 4 make-ready spots, making it easy to double the number of charging stations in the future. 

**EV Charging for Other State Vehicles - $1.5 million **

DOER will provide funding to other agencies to install fleet EV charging infrastructure at approximately 60 sites, focusing on those not on the high priority list, non-executive branch fleets, and leased facilities. 

**EV Charging Testing Equipment – $604,000 **

DOS will purchase EV charging infrastructure testing equipment and hire staff to conduct inspections of public charging stations to ensure that they remain in working order and adhere to a common set of standards. 

**EV Charging Needs Analysis - $396,000 **

This funding will support the analytical needs of the EVICC through the end of 2026 to help it continue to assess the current state of EV charging infrastructure and future needs of Massachusetts as it promotes the electrification of the transportation sector. 

**Background on Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Coordinating Council **

The EVICC was authorized by “An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind” in 2022. The Climate Law requires that the EVICC assess and report on strategies and plans necessary to deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure to establish an equitable, interconnected, accessible and reliable electric vehicle charging network. Since convening in May, the EVICC has held 10 public meetings on state EV infrastructure strategy. 

In August 2023, the EVICC submitted an Initial Assessment to the Legislature which found that approximately 10,000 publicly accessible fast charging ports will be necessary to support the light-duty vehicle fleet by 2030, in addition to 35,000 publicly accessible Level 2 stations and more than 700,000 residential and workplace charging stations. 

Earlier this year, the Administration expanded the Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles Program (MOR-EV Program), which provides rebates for the purchase or lease of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles (EVs). In addition to the existing $3,500 rebates for EVs, the new MOR-EV program includes the rebates at the point-of-sale with participating dealers, a $3,500 rebate for used EVs for income-qualifying residents, a $1,500 rebate adder for income-qualifying residents called MOR-EV+ that is in addition to the standard rebate for new or used electric vehicles; and increased rebates for certain light-duty pickup trucks. 

“These initiatives tackle huge issues, like the convenience of charging for condo and apartment dwellers, the greening of Uber and Lyft, the task of keeping chargers in good working order, and the electrification of heavy-duty trucks. Ambitious stuff,” said **State Senator Mike Barrett (D-Lexington), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. **

"Investing in EV infrastructure could not be more critical at this juncture to address the range and charging anxiety that makes drivers hesitate when deciding whether to purchase an electric vehicle," said State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. "I thank the Administration for building on the Legislature's work in creating the charging infrastructure fund by developing targeted investments in curbside charging, fleet charging, medium- and heavy-duty mobile charging, and other innovation solutions to help Massachusetts drivers get into EVs."

Today, at the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)’s Annual Meeting, Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll announced that they will be filing a significant package of municipal reforms to help cities and towns generate the resources they need to maintain and deliver vital services, streamline operations and attract talented workers to local government. 

The Municipal Empowerment Act will expand on tools available to municipal leaders to generate revenue by allowing them to increase local option taxes on meals and lodging. The bill would also create a new local Motor Vehicle Excise surcharge option – a provision that could benefit every city and town in the state. The bill would also make permanent a number of popular COVID-era allowances for hybrid public meetings, outdoor dining permits and to-go cocktail sales. 

“Massachusetts is home to 351 cities and towns that are the bedrock of our state. From day one, our administration has been committed to giving them the support and resources they need to build strong communities and grow their economies,” said Governor Healey. “The Municipal Empowerment Act proposes multiple reforms that municipal leaders have asked for to improve the services they can provide to their communities and make operations more efficient. We are also proud to be increasing funding for roads, bridges, schools, and municipal services to improve quality of life in all of our communities.” 

“I’ve spent the past year traveling the state and meeting with municipal leaders to hear directly from them about how the state can best support their needs. What we heard loud and clear was a desire for partnership to improve municipal finances and operations,” said** Lieutenant Governor Driscoll**. “The Municipal Empowerment Act is a direct result of these conversations. This package reduces red tape that municipal leaders far too often encounter and gives them more options to utilize tools that will make their communities stronger.” 

The bill is a product of the municipal listening tour led last year by Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and other members of the administration. They heard from over 130 managers and administrators from 112 different municipalities and solicited input from professional associations representing local leaders and employees – receiving feedback from more than 20 such groups. What emerged from these sessions were concrete suggestions for how the state can better partner with our cities and towns – from solutions to acute workforce challenges, to relief from specific administrative burdens, to new tools to make local management more efficient and effective. 

Governor Healey also detailed some of the Local Aid support cities and towns can expect to see when she files her annual budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025 next week. The administration’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget will recommend increasing Unrestricted General Government Aid by 3 percent to $1.31 billion. Consistent with Governor Healey’s State of the Commonwealth address on Wednesday night, the budget will also propose to fully fund the fourth year of the Student Opportunity Act, boosting Chapter 70 aid to local public schools to $6.86 billion, a $263 million or 4 percent increase over Fiscal Year 2024. Overall, Local Aid in the budget will total $8.7 billion, a 3 percent increase over the current fiscal year. 

“The budget we will file next week will reflect this administration’s commitment to Local Aid and desire to keep our partnership with cities and towns at the forefront of so much we hope to accomplish,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “The funding we have identified for unrestricted aid and Chapter 70 for schools will complement the reforms proposed today in the Municipal Empowerment Act to make sure our communities remain vibrant, attractive places to live and work.” 

The administration also plans to file a two-year, $400 million Chapter 90 bill alongside the Municipal Empowerment Act, proposing a multi-year authorization to help build in predictability for municipalities looking to plan longer-term projects. The annual Chapter 90 authorization would be supplemented by another $100 million for local road and bridge repairs through Fair Share surtax spending proposed in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, and an additional $24 million dedicated to rural communities. Additionally, Lt. Governor Driscoll has directed MassDOT and the Executive Office for Administration and Finance to assemble a working group of state and local officials to review Chapter 90 administration and recommend ways to reduce the complexity and burdens of applying for and receiving these vital transportation funds. 

“Whether you drive, bike, walk, or take public transit, transportation impacts every part of our lives. I want to thank Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, and the legislature for supporting Chapter 90 funding,” said Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “This funding will help us to repair roads and bridges and make key capital improvements and investments across the state. I look forward to working with the Healey-Driscoll administration as we continue to deliver equitable, reliable, and resilient transportation options for all 351 of our cities and towns.” 

The Municipal Empowerment Act is designed to arm local governments with greater tools and supports to chart their own course and make local management more efficient and effective.   

Like state government, businesses and households across the state, municipalities have budgetary challenges that impact their ability to deliver services that residents depend on and expect. To empower communities to generate more local revenue, the bill includes several local options:  

• **Increasing the maximum local option lodging tax on hotel, motel and other rentals **from 6 percent to 7 percent of the price of a room (6.5 percent to 7.5 percent for Boston) 

• Increasing the maximum local option meals tax from .75 percent to 1 percent of the sales price of a meal at a restaurant or local store 

• Adding a new 5 percent local option Motor Vehicle Excise surcharge, a fee charged by every city and town on vehicles registered in their communities based on the vehicle’s value 

Other highlights focused on fiscal and staffing stability include: 

• **Creating new property tax exemptions for seniors **to allow cities and towns to adopt a Senior Means Tested Property Tax Exemption for qualifying seniors and to increase existing senior property tax exemptions. 

• Addressing long-term benefit funding pressures by establishing a new OPEB Commission to take a fresh look at opportunities to address unfunded liabilities from non-pension employee benefits. 

• Allowing the creation of Regional Boards of Assessors to allow municipalities to create streamline duties and reduce significant staffing challenges.  

• **Creating additional flexibilities in post-retirement employment **by expanding the process for seeking exemptions to post-retirement employment rules. 

The flexibility for municipalities that began during the COVID-19 public health emergency to permit outdoor dining and takeaway liquor sales, as well as hosting hybrid public meetings to encourage remote participation, would also be made permanent by this legislation. 

Additional reforms proposed in the Municipal Empowerment Act include: 

• **Procurement law reform: ** 

1. Clarifying that groups of cities and towns can award multiple contracts through an RFP process under Chapter 30B and purchase both supplies and services from collectively bid contracts;  

2. Equalizing 30B thresholds for advertised procurements to $100 k for all municipal purchasing – not just schools; 

3. Eliminating the requirement to publish notice of invitations for competitive bids on COMMBUYS; 

4. Streamlining procurement for electric school buses and charging infrastructure by allowing single procurements for both under Chapter 30B. 

• **Enforcement of double pole removal **after 90 days by giving municipalities enforcement authority, with penalties for utilities that fail to comply.  

• Establishing central valuation of telecom and utility property through the Department of Revenue’s Division of Local Services (DLS) to relieve cities and towns of the cost of individually hiring experts and consultants.  

• Updating borrowing rules for school projects to increase from 30 years to 40 years the bond term to more closely reflects the life expectancy of the project. 

The Governor intends to file the Municipal Empower Act and Ch. 90 bill on Monday. The full bill texts will be available at that time. More details on the provisions of the Municipal Empowerment Act can be found in the policy briefs on **Fiscal & Staffing Stability, Local Flexibility and Operational Efficiency, Rural Supports and FY25 Local Aid. **

**Statements of Support **

**Adam Chapdelaine, Executive Director & CEO, Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) **

“The MMA is deeply grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for this robust proposal, which would benefit each and every one of our Commonwealth’s 351 cities and towns. The Municipal Empowerment Act includes strong recommendations based on input from local officials, with a focus on supporting our communities, modernizing practices, and improving efficiency in the delivery of essential services provided by our cities and towns.” 

**Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, incoming President of Massachusetts Mayors Association **

“Municipal government is entirely unique in that the work we do has a direct and immediate impact on the lives of our residents. We must be nimble and flexible, but most importantly, we must be efficient because municipal budgets are small and tight. The efforts here by the Healey-Driscoll Administration help us enhance and balance the needs of our residents and the changing financial landscape municipalities experience. I want to thank Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll for their commitment to supporting cities and towns in every corner of the Commonwealth.” 

**Michael Ward, Director of the Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management University of Massachusetts Boston   **

“This bill contains many great improvements and fixes to help municipalities operate more efficiently and effectively. In particular, the improvements to procurement and financial processes will reduce burdens on managers and finance officials, freeing up significant time and energy to focus on other critical issues. We are also thrilled to be able to assist the Administration with its new workforce development initiatives, given the overwhelming recruitment and retention problems facing local governments across the Commonwealth.”