RAISE Program grants include $22 for MBTA’s Lower Broadway Everett Transit Priority Corridor Project, $2 million for South Salem Train Stop Project, $1.2 million for Gardner’s downtown.

BOSTON - The Healey-Driscoll Administration today celebrated over $25 million in competitive Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) federal grant funds for three critical transportation projects across the state. The RAISE grant program provides investments in surface transportation infrastructure that have a significant local or regional impact. 

Through the FFY2024 RAISE grant program, the MBTA received a major award of over $22 million to advance the Lower Broadway Everett Transit Priority Corridor Project, which aims to construct hybrid center-running bus lanes to support three routes serving over 8,000 daily riders. The project will also make high-quality bike and pedestrian improvements on Broadway in Everett and Alford Street in Boston. The City of Salem was awarded over $2 million to advance design to 100% of a second Salem Commuter Rail stop, and when complete, South Salem station will meet many critical needs for Salem and add more transportation options in the area. The MBTA wrote a letter of support for Salem’s application. The City of Gardner also received $1.2 million to enhance accessibility and mobility improvements in the city’s downtown area.  

“These grant awards will be a critical boost to our efforts to ensure our transportation system is reliable and accessible for all of our residents and support the vibrancy of our downtowns. Our administration is committed to competing for federal funding opportunities like this that will improve quality of life in Massachusetts communities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We thank the Biden-Harris administration, U.S. DOT and our Congressional delegation for making this funding available.”   

"As the former Mayor of Salem, I'm thrilled to see these federal funds come into our state to promote projects like South Salem's Train Stop Program. Investing in transportation infrastructure is key to supporting our cities and towns, and the impact of doing so goes beyond getting people from point A to point B," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "Not only will the Salem commuter rail connect the community's largest employers – Salem State and Salem Hospital – with public transit, but these funds will also provide opportunities for additional housing and transit related development. We're grateful to the Biden-Harris administration, U.S. DOT, our partners in Congress, as well as all of the local officials here in Massachusetts, that helped fight to this funding." 

“We are grateful to the Biden Administration and our congressional delegation for all their work to secure a major grant of $22 million for the Everett and Boston communities to advance critical bus, bike, and pedestrian improvements. We also thank federal officials and the delegation for securing funds to advance design of a second Salem Commuter Rail stop and to study accessibility upgrades for Gardner’s downtown area,” said Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “This federal funding for public transportation from the RAISE grant program will help us advance the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s goals for an equitable and accessible state transportation system. By expanding mobility options and improving access to public transportation, we can make improvements which increase the economic vitality of Environmental Justice Communities.” 

“The MBTA is grateful for this major federal award that prioritizes safety and will improve the commutes of thousands of our bus riders and the Everett community as a whole – we are deeply grateful to the cities of Everett and Boston for collaborating with us on this grant application. We are also pleased to see the City of Salem provided the necessary funds to advance design on a second Commuter Rail stop in the City,” said MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “RAISE grants are intended to support transportation projects that connect people and communities, which creates jobs and supports economic growth. With the collaboration of our partner municipalities, we will now deliver long-awaited service to transit-hungry neighborhoods. Under the leadership of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, we continue to be aggressive in seeking all available federal discretionary funds as they are a critical component in our wider efforts to deliver safe, reliable, and improved transit for everyone. We appreciate the support of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, congressional delegation, local officials, our partner cities and towns, and the many riders who will benefit from these upcoming projects.” 

These announcements are the most recent in a series of federal funding awards granted to Massachusetts since the Healey-Driscoll Administration launched a whole-of-government strategy to compete for federal dollars. The Administration has successfully won more than $2 billion in discretionary grants for transportation projects, including: $67 million to advance accessibility at Green Line stations, $335 million to reconnect communities and increase mobility through the Allston I-90 Multimodal Project, $372 million for the replacement of the Cape Cod Canal bridges, $108 million for West-East Rail, $75 million for schools to electrify their bus fleets, and $24 million to rehabilitate Leonard’s Wharf in New Bedford.

"These exciting awards are part of our whole-of-government strategy to secure federal funding for safe, effective, and climate-friendly public transit and multimodal infrastructure while supporting equitable economic development and creating good paying jobs here in Massachusetts." said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey, "We are grateful to President Biden, Secretary Buttigieg, and the Massachusetts congressional delegation for making these historic investments, and will continue to advocate for federal funding in communities across Massachusetts."

“Expanding bus transit along the Lower Broadway Corridor will be transformational for families in Everett and Boston,” said Senator Markey. “Reliable and efficient bus transit is the backbone of a functioning public transportation system. This investment will enhance bus service for the thousands of Everett and Boston riders, many of whom are Black, brown, and low-income and rely on buses to get to work, health care, groceries, and childcare. Just like dedicated lanes allow buses to operate efficiently, this funding is right on schedule.”   

“We’re building a transit system that works for communities,” said Senator Warren. “It was clear we needed improvements in our public transit and we secured the funding to get it done for families here in Massachusetts — that’s what government is all about.” 

“Transit justice is economic and racial justice, and this $22 million investment to improve Everett’s bus transit system will be transformational for our most vulnerable communities who rely on public transportation,” said Congresswoman Pressley (MA-07). “By expanding and improving this service along the Lower Broadway Corridor, families will have increased mobility and freedom to access the essential services they need to live and thrive.”   

More on the Lower Broadway Everett Transit Priority Corridor Project 

The MBTA received $22 million in RAISE funds to construct hybrid center-running bus lanes and make bike and pedestrian improvements along the Lower Broadway corridor in Everett through the Lower Broadway Everett Transit Priority Corridor Project. The Lower Broadway and Alford Street corridor is the primary connection between Everett and Boston, providing almost 250 bus trips every day through Everett, Chelsea, and Revere and connecting riders to Sullivan Square station on the Orange Line.  

The project is a collaboration between MassDOT, the MBTA, the City of Everett, and the City of Boston and aims to reduce harmful emissions while improving safety for these historically disadvantaged communities. When complete, the project will introduce a faster and more reliable connection to the Sullivan Square Orange Line station and lay the groundwork for the future expansion of Silver Line BRT service to the City of Everett.  

This project will construct new, fully separated bus-only lanes, fully separated bicycle facilities, improved pedestrian amenities, transit signal priority, new bus stops, and enhanced ADA amenities along the 1.2-mile Lower Broadway corridor. The new busway configuration reimagines how to move people to and from their destinations more efficiently, making better use of the limited deck space on the Alford Street Bridge. The project will also shift the busway and bikeways away from general purpose traffic. 

“I am grateful to our federal delegation for their support of the many years of hard work and collaboration between Everett, the MBTA, and many others that culminated in the awarding of this grant that will bring rapid transit to Everett,” said City of Everett Mayor Mayor Carlo DeMaria. “Bus Rapid Transit along the Broadway corridor will most importantly improve the daily commutes of thousands of Everett residents and provide greater access to education and employment options, while also helping to advance redevelopment opportunities that will uplift Everett and the region.” 

“We are thankful to our federal partners for this investment in a more sustainable, equitable transportation system,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. “Bus priority infrastructure helps us meet the needs of all T riders. This project strengthens our connections between neighborhoods, economic centers, and educational institutions by enhancing existing bus service and providing for a future Silver Line extension to Sullivan Square. We look forward to collaborating with our partners at the MBTA and City of Everett to provide high-quality public transit to all of our residents.” 

More on the South Salem Train Stop Project 

The City of Salem received over $2 million to advance design to 100% of the South Salem Train Stop Project, which aims to design and construct a second Commuter Rail station in the City. The MBTA submitted a letter of support for this important transit expansion project.  

The current Salem station on the Newburyport/Rockport Line is the busiest MBTA Commuter Rail station outside of Boston. The second proposed stop would connect the City’s

two largest employers to the MBTA Commuter Rail, meet many critical needs for the City, and expand transit options to and from the City. Increased transit options allow for mode shift from

cars, allowing for reduced congestions and traffic emissions. Mode shift is critical for the Commonwealth to meet its climate goals and allows the City to make sustainability advancements.  

The MBTA will collaborate with the City throughout the planning and design process of the project.  

Information about the project, including past and more current studies and presentations, can be found at www.salemma.gov/southsalemtrain. Those with questions or who wish to provide feedback about the project can send an email to [email protected] to do so. 

“I’m incredibly grateful to the Salem Partnership, USDOT and the Biden-Harris administration, MBTA, the Healey-Driscoll administration and its Federal Funds Office, and to our federal delegation – Senators Markey and Warren and Congressman Moulton – for all helping to make this grant possible,” said Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo. “The creation of a South Salem commuter rail stop adjacent to our two largest private employers, Salem Hospital and Salem State University, will substantially reduce traffic congestion on some of our busiest roadways and better help us meet our emissions reduction goals, especially when combined with the electrification of the commuter rail line. The award of this significant federal funding to the project represents the first major forward progress on this long-awaited transportation project since the idea of a station in this part of Salem was initially raised 35 years ago. We still have years of work ahead to move the design forward, with lots of opportunities for public input and engagement, but today is certainly a historic day for this signature project.” 

More on the Gardner Project 

The City of Gardner received $1.2 million to support upgraded accessibility features and parking enhancements in its downtown area. MassDOT submitted a letter of support for this important project that aims to make for safer mobility and transform Gardner’s downtown into a robust, multimodal transit hub with connections to the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority.  

Downtown Gardner has experienced incredible growth in recent years. This funding award will support a combination of transportation and parking solutions that ensure mobility options for both the existing Gardner community and upcoming new residential and commercial tenants. These options will expand Gardner residents’ connections to jobs, homes, support services, and more. Including Environmental Justice Census Blocks and those with lower median household income, Gardner benefits greatly from these expanded mobility options.

“I want to thank our federal partners, our state legislative delegation, and the Healey- Driscoll Administration for their steadfast support of the City of Gardner and our vision to bring additional businesses and consumers to downtown Gardner,” said Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson. “The $1.2 million in funding through the RAISE grant program will make a tremendous difference in funding key infrastructure projects to enhance the downtown area for the City of Gardner.  Gardner has made great strides in improving our downtown region over the last 4 years and this funding is crucial for us to take the next step. One of the main concerns people have had in the downtown lately is how do we deal with the issue of parking. By creating the possibility of us having a new parking garage downtown, it allows for continued business and housing growth in the area without further congestion concerns.”

“The RAISE grant for the City of Gardner resulting from a strong partnership between Mayor Nicholson’s administration, the Healy-Driscoll administration, and our federal delegation will transform the downtown district and provide an additional catalyst for the extensive redevelopment taking place in the city,” said Bruno Fisher, Administrator and CEO of the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority. “By redefining the downtown district, Gardner is significantly increasing access to employment opportunities, healthcare, and essential services, as well as enabling increased public transit to enhance mobility options supporting the growth of residential and commercial tenants in the downtown area and the city overall. We will be continuing our collaboration with Mayor Nicholson and his team to redefine public transit services to support the mobility needs of the citizens of Gardner.”