BOSTON — Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury) announced that the Senate voted today to authorize up to $3.65 billion in bonds for repairs and improvements of capital facilities across the Commonwealth.
Spending authorizations in the bill include bonds for state university and community college campus improvements, public safety and security facilities, clean programs, and priorities for Central Massachusetts.
“This bill will allow the Commonwealth to maintain and improve capital facilities across the state ultimately benefitting local residents,” said Senator Moore. “The legislation authorizes investments in sectors that are critical for the continued success of our communities.”
The bill authorizes the issuance of bonds for the improvement of capital facilities and for general government operations, including:
- $6.1 million for public safety improvements in the Towns of Auburn, Millbury, Upton and Shrewsbury;
- $4.3 million for engineering, design and construction of commuter parking enhancements between Shrewsbury Street and Grafton Street in the City of Worcester;
- $1 million for repairs and improvements to the Route 146 pedestrian bridge at the Blackstone Heritage Corridor visitor center in the City of Worcester;
- $4 million to support increased capacity and expansion at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School;
- $2 million for renovations to the Rockdale Village Fire Station in the Town of Northbridge;
- $400 thousand for accessibility improvements at the Upton Town Beach and athletic complex;
- $825 thousand for renovations and accessibility improvements in the Town of Leicester;
- $1.6 million for upgrades to the wastewater pumping station in the Town of Grafton;
- $680 million for general state facility improvements;
- $675 million for trial court facility improvements;
- $500 million for public safety and security facilities;
- $475 million for state university and community college campus improvements;
- $475 million for the University of Massachusetts system campus improvements;
- $193.4 million for a municipal facility improvement grant program;
- $150 million for the Accelerated Energy and Resiliency program, which develops and implements energy and water savings projects statewide;
- $85 million for the Clean Energy Investment Program to improve the energy efficiency of state-owned facilities.
The bill also increases previous spending authorizations for University of Massachusetts, state universities and community colleges campus facilities.
In addition, the bill increases several project control and supervision, design and construction thresholds for the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, to keep pace with current costs of construction in Massachusetts.
The bill will now be reconciled with a version passed by the House of Representatives. To continue tracking the legislation, S.2279, please visit the Legislature’s website by clicking below.