{"id":881,"date":"2022-08-16T10:21:47","date_gmt":"2022-08-16T14:21:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/site.alliedbolt.com\/blog\/?p=881"},"modified":"2022-08-16T10:31:26","modified_gmt":"2022-08-16T14:31:26","slug":"massachusetts-construction-news-baker-signs-11-4-billion-infrastructure-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/site.alliedbolt.com\/blog\/massachusetts-construction-news-baker-signs-11-4-billion-infrastructure-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Massachusetts Construction News: Baker signs $11.4-billion infrastructure law"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reprinted from WWLP.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

BOSTON, Mass. (SHNS)\u2013 MBTA electrification and safety reporting requirements feature as the most prominent parts of an infrastructure bond bill Gov. Charlie Baker wants to change with an amendment he returned to the Legislature.<\/p>\n

Baker approved all of the bond authorizations in the nearly $11.4 billion bill (H 5151)\u00a0he signed Wednesday<\/a>, including $400 million for immediate safety improvements at the T and $275 million as a down payment toward a western Massachusetts passenger rail expansion, and several of the outside sections packed into the major legislation.<\/p>\n

He struck language from a few line items, vetoed four outside sections and sent back five proposed amendments, many focused on additional guardrails lawmakers sought to impose around the MBTA amid upheaval at the agency.<\/p>\n

One of Baker\u2019s amendments would rework a section of the bill in which lawmakers called on the T to outline short-, medium- and long-term plans to transform the commuter rail system.<\/p>\n

Instead of working to roll out \u201celectric locomotive\u201d service or pursue \u201celectrification\u201d on several lines in the near future, the MBTA would instead be ordered to implement \u201cbattery electric locomotive\u201d service and \u201cbattery electrification\u201d under Baker\u2019s amendment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI support this planning to make the commuter rail system more productive, equitable and decarbonized,\u201d Baker wrote in his amendment letter. \u201cI am proposing changes to ensure the plans incorporate the most up to date technology.\u201d<\/p>\n

The original bill also called for \u201cno agreement to purchase commuter rail trains\u201d to involve diesel locomotives after Dec. 31, 2030. Baker\u2019s amendment dropped that requirement.<\/p>\n

Two other amendments Baker returned would also reshape mandates on the MBTA linked to the ongoing, intertwined safety and staffing crises.<\/p>\n

Lawmakers added language to the bond bill requiring the T to file a monthly report with the state inspector general listing all recent \u201cincidents, accidents, casualties and hazards\u201d across the transit system. The MBTA would also need to make that information available publicly.<\/p>\n

Supporters said the bolstered reporting requirements would address the Transportation Committee\u2019s early findings as the panel probes failures at the T and as the Federal Transit Administration continues a nearly unprecedented safety investigation.<\/p>\n