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Route 9 resurfacing money in latest federal stimulus plan

E-mail|Link|Comments () Posted October 28, 2009 08:27 AM

From staff and wire reports

Gov. Deval Patrick is unveiling a second round of 33 transportation projects to be funded with $166 million in federal stimulus money, including money for resurfacing of Route 9 between Framingham and the Natick-Wellesley line and funding for a treacherous stretch of Nonantum Road.

The projects are spread across the state. There is $12. 5 million for Route 9 resurfacing from Framingham east to the Natick-Wellesley line; $7.9 million for Nonantum Road safety reconstruction including a narrower roadway and median to reduce accidents; $3.6 million for a connector to the Minuteman Bike Path; $7.5 million in improvements to Worcester's Canal District; and $10 million for improvements in MBTA bus service.

Also, according to a release from the state Transportation Department, the plan allots $1 million to a project in Medford for Clippership Drive realignment and improvements to reduce speeds, create parking, and build new sidewalks and $1.7 million for reconstruction of Washington Street in Somerville from the Boston line to the McGrath Highway.

Other projects are located in Attleboro, Amherst, Chicopee, Ludlow, and Norwood.

Patrick, who is chairing an economic summit today, was criticized earlier this month by a Minnesota congressman for the slow pace in spending federal stimulus money.

"These projects put stimulus money and Massachusetts people to work," said Governor Patrick, who was one of several Massachusetts politicians quoted in a release from his administration. "This administration is all about investing in our future, and these funds help."

The projects must reviewed for final approval by the state's 13 regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations.

The new transportation projects are part of a total of $438 million in stimulus highway funds allocated to Massachusetts.