BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has been awarded a $67 million grant from the federal government to improve the accessibility for passengers with disabilities on the Green Line.
The grant was given by the Federal Transit Administration as part of the All Stations Accessibility Program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden in 2021.
"A critical part of modernizing and improving our historic transit system is ensuring that every rider is able to use the system with ease and comfort. These federal awards are critical to our efforts to make the upgrades necessary to deliver this for our residents,” said Gov. Maura Healey in a press release announcing the federal grant on Thursday.
“We’re grateful to President Biden, our partners at the Federal Transit Administration, and our Congressional delegation for supporting this work here in Massachusetts."
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The project will make 14 ground-level stops on the B and C branches of the Green Line fully accessible in the Boston neighborhoods of Allston and Brighton and in the town of Brookline.
“The Green Line’s street-level stops are some of the most challenging segments of the system for riders with disabilities to traverse,” said MBTA General Manager Phil Eng.
“This critical funding allows us to enhance safety for all with vital improvements and upgrades to five B Branch and nine C branch stops so they can be easily accessed by riders of all abilities.”
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The ASAP funding is the latest in federal money granted to Massachusetts as part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s strategy to compete for federal dollars.
The state has won over $1 billion in discretionary grants for transportation projects including $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, and $108 million for West-East Rail, among other projects.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said that the ASAP funds for Green Line accessibility “will greatly improve the daily experience of commuters with wheelchairs, scooters, and strollers who deserve accessible and comfortable public transportation.”
She added that “the City of Boston is grateful to our federal and state partners for needed upgrades to the oldest subway line in the country.”
Brookline Town Administrator Chas Carey expressed similar thoughts on the project.
“Ensuring meaningful accessibility to our residents and visitors is crucial to Brookline’s continued growth as a nationally renowned community for people of all backgrounds to live, work, explore, and enjoy.”
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