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Open Classroom

Open Classroom. Policy Advice to the Governor: Transportation and Infrastructure. What advice would I give to the Governor & Secretary of MassDOT ?. What would I be focused on over the next 4 years?. Aeronautics. Worcester Airport

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Open Classroom

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  1. Open Classroom Policy Advice to the Governor: Transportation and Infrastructure

  2. What advice would I give to the Governor & Secretary of MassDOT? What would I be focused on over the next 4 years?

  3. Aeronautics • Worcester Airport • New MassPort/Logan Airport Executive Director? • MassPort Board appointments (Chairman is “hold-over” plus 2 seats vacant for over a year: 7 member board/7 year terms) • The Increasing Importance of the Port: Cruise Ships and Freight (Panama Canal - 2014) • Small Airport Security (on-going)

  4. Registry of Motor Vehicles • Cash Cow or Customer Service? Wait Times: In May 2010 the RMV quickly added 40 staff and engaged AAA offices to stem the tide of growing lines in an election year. Will they maintain it? Why is there an issue? • The 5-year photo option has been exercised. • Remnant of the conversion of the 4 to 5 year licenses. • The “ALARS” System

  5. Highway: Roads and Bridges • Accelerated Bridge Program ($3B over 8 Years) • Longfellow Bridge • River Bridges • Chelsea Street Bridge • Bridges! • AARA Funding is gone – the audit aftermath • Re-Authorization of Funding Bills: Washington DC & Beacon Hill (more on these in a few slides…) • Project and Budget Management

  6. Rail and Transit: Freight Freight rail will likely grow rapidly over the next five years – that’s a good thing – but, that has implications for the Port of Boston and passenger rail and also roadway congestion, if not managed correctly. • CSX moving to Central MA • Central and Western MA Bridge work to allow double stacked trains • Likely conflicts with passenger rail growth, particularly in Central and Western Massachusetts

  7. Rail and Transit: Commuter Rail,High Speed Rail & Amtrak There is a lot happening regionally: • Amtrak: Northeast Corridor, Acela & Maine Downeaster • Hartford to Springfield to Vermont: Funded High Speed Rail Projects • Worcester to Springfield? • New Hampshire – Plaistow Station & Lowell Commuter Rail Line to Nashua • MBTA Commuter Rail to T F Green Airport (Rhode Island) commencing on December 6, 2010; expansion to North Kingston, RI to follow

  8. Rail and Transit: MBTA • Fare Increase(s) (more in a slide or two…) • CharlieCards turn 5 • Commuter Rail Contract expires (over $1 B ) • Staffing at the T – the bench • GM? Police Chief? • Union Contract Negotiations (& new President of the Carmen’s Union) • State of Good Repair (SGR) Prioritization and Spending: Expansion Capital and Operating money!? • Project and Budget Management

  9. Rail and Transit: MBTA The Expansion Projects versus The System: Fix it First? The answer must be YES.

  10. The Expansion Projects versus the System: Fix it First? The answer must be YES. • "The so-called D'Alessandro report, prepared at the request and urging of Governor Patrick, provides a sobering update on the financial and physical state of the MBTA. It urges a high-level examination of safety and capital projects (a review that is now underway), a slowing of system expansion, and more oversight before any new MBTA debt obligations are undertaken. The conclusions of the report mandate that we focus on making significant progress on the MBTA's large backlog of "state of good repair" projects, estimated to cost nearly $3 billion, and on stabilizing the operating deficit at the MBTA. MassDOT is committed to doing so." -January 22, 2010 letter to Environmental Secretary Bowles from DOT Secretary Mullen suspending the Urban Ring Project

  11. Show me the money? What’s wrong with these MBTA figures? 2010 Capital Expenditures: $389.4 million 2010 Debt Service: $434.5 million Source: MassDOT 2010 Annual Report Top Priority: Putting the MBTA on solid financial footing for the long term.

  12. Show me the money? • MBTA Fare Increase(s)? • Toll Increase(s)? –airport tunnels, Tobin, Pike? • Privatization (PPP) of MBTA Parking? • PPP Initiatives? • Federal Re-Authorization & future of Federal financial participation & Republican House of Representatives • State Bond Bill (new Senate Chair?) We have the uses: what will be the sources?

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