Print
Sep 15, 2008 10:10 am US/Eastern
Pike, MBTA Get Help From Cost-Sharing Plan
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
The Patrick administration is initiating a
cost-sharing program among state agencies designed to help the debt-ridden
Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and
MBTA.
The proposal unveiled Monday provides help for the Turnpike and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority from the
Massachusetts Port Authority and the state
Highway Department.
The plan, in part, would shift responsibility for all bridge inspections in the state to MassHighway, saving the MBTA $3.5 million in its annual budget and the Turnpike Authority $2.5 million.
MassHighway would also cover about $1.2 million in costs for hiring flaggers at bridge construction projects over MBTA tracks.
The Turnpike will also save $3.7 million in long term maintenance of the tunnel that feeds traffic to and from the Tobin Bridge. MassPort will now fund that project.
Transportation Secretary
Bernard Cohen says the proposal is not a cure-all, but will help.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
