MassDOT Board and MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board Approve Draft FY 2021 Capital Investment Plan

05/12/2020

The MassDOT Board of Directors and the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board today approved the draft one-year Capital Investment Plan (CIP). The draft Fiscal Year 2021 CIP continues investments already underway, moves forward those investments for Fiscal Year 2021which were previously planned, and puts most funds into the reliability of the transportation system. A one-year CIP has been drafted, rather than a five-year plan as is usually done, as it is unrealistic to plan several years out due to uncertainties of revenue because of the pandemic.

“This plan focuses on what we are calling ‘maintenance of effort,’ meaning the projects we already had going and had planned to start,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “A one-year plan is appropriate – it’s not necessarily where we want to be, but it is the right direction to take, as this approach allows for robust construction this year until there’s a greater degree of certainty about federal and state revenue streams, the cost of doing business with new health protocols, and the status of project timelines and costs.”

A “reset” of the CIP for a several year period will be done when there is a clearer understanding of the status of the economy, including when Federal reauthorization is confirmed. The future CIP will take into consideration the cost of new construction safety rules, new revenue realities and Commonwealth funding, including the status of the Administration’s proposed $18 billion Transportation Bond Bill.

MassDOT and the MBTA are now launching the public engagement process for the draft Fiscal Year 2021 CIP. In lieu of in-person public meetings, there will be six virtual regional public meetings that will be hosted by the respective Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs). The presentation for each of the meetings will provide a brief overview of the CIP and focus on the investments in that specific region. Public comment will be accepted as part of the virtual public meeting via the online public comment tool. Public comment will also be accepted by regular mail or email.

Monday, May 18, 6:00 p.m. – Cape Cod (Cape Cod Commission staff host)
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/93370545097
Dial In: +1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 933 7054 5097

Tuesday, May 19, 6:00 p.m. – Southeastern Mass (Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District staff host)
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7976187767
Dial In: +1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 797 618 7767

Wednesday, May 20, 5:30 p.m. – Central Mass (Central Mass Regional Planning Commission staff host)
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/96214938008
Dial In: +1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 962 1493 8008
Password: 245103

Thursday, May 21, 6:00 p.m. – Boston (Central Transportation Planning Staff host)
Zoom : https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86979809669
Dial In: +1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 869 7980 9669

Tuesday, May 26, 6:00 p.m. – Berkshire (Berkshire Regional Planning Commission staff host)
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84061667480?pwd=cHROZUpNUTg5SVZXcnhRMnhEYXA3UT09
Dial In: +1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 840 6166 7480
Password: 017302

Wednesday, May 27, at 6:00p.m. – Merrimack Valley (Haverhill) – (Merrimack Valley Planning Commission staff host)
GoTo Meeting: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/893636477
Dial In: +1 (872) 240-3412
Access Code: 893-636-477

Other Opportunities for Public Participation
CIP Comment Tool: Comments will be accepted directly on proposed projects through the CIP Online Comment Tool. This tool also includes a general comment form for comments that are not project-specific.
Email: MassCIP@state.ma.us.
Letters: please mail letters via U.S. mail to:
Capital Investment Plan
10 Park Plaza, Suite 4150
Boston, MA 02116