Massachusetts Transportation Secretary reveals 10-year, $1.02 billion plan

Interstate 90 in BostonInterstate 90 in Boston

Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Richard Davey has unveiled a 10-year plan to upkeep and update the state’s transportation system, which he will propose on January 16, MassLive.com reported.

The plan would give Massachusetts $1.02 billion over the next decade to pay old transportation bills and upgrade the transportation system.

Davey’s plan would more than double the state’s current $12 billion transportation budget, requiring $13 billion in additional revenue over the next 10 years. However, that additional revenue doesn’t cover the costs of proposed expansions, which will be funded over the next 25 years.

Plans to raise these revenues have not been established, though some—including an increased gas tax, a payroll tax, an increased sales or income tax and increased registry fees, transit fares or tolls—have been proposed.

The plan includes propositions for infrastructure improvements such as $5.2 billion for roads and bridges, $3.8 billion for subway and bus repairs and $275 million for the Registry of Motor Vehicles and airports. The road repair project would include a $350 million to $400 million multi- year large-scale repair or the Interstate 91 overpass.

Other propositions in the 10-year plan include a $100 million-a-year increase in state road funding, as well as six additional expansion projects.