Release: Lt. Gov Murray Applauds Burlington on Completing Massworks Project Within Budget

The following is a press release from the office of Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray's office from July 14: 

Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray today recognized Burlington and 11 other communities around Massachusetts for their responsible and effective management of a total of $24 million in MassWorks Infrastructure Program grants the Patrick-Murray Administration awarded to support public infrastructure projects that expand economic and community development opportunities. Burlington used its $2 million award to make improvements, including a new traffic signal and pedestrian crossing, to Middlesex Turnpike and Third Avenue. By completing this project on schedule and within budget, Burlington is helping the administration support more projects and create more jobs in every corner of the Commonwealth.

“In difficult economic times like these, it is especially important that we spend resources carefully and efficiently. The Patrick-Murray Administration has made many efforts to do just that, including through the recently streamlined MassWorks Infrastructure Program,” wrote Lt. Governor Murray in a letter to Burlington officials. “But our management of the MassWorks Infrastructure Program is only half of the equation. In order to maximize impact and efficiencies, we need municipalities to keep these important capital projects on schedule and on budget so that we can fund more projects and get more people back to work. Your recent performance in Burlington is a shining example of the kind of partnership that is necessary to achieve our shared goals.”

The MassWorks Infrastructure Program was created by the Patrick-Murray Administration to provide a one-stop shop for municipalities seeking public infrastructure funding to support housing, economic and community development projects.   The program consolidates six previous infrastructure grant programs – PWED, STRAP, TOD, GDI, MORE, CDAG – and will help the Commonwealth provide municipalities with a higher level of service focused on maximizing the impact and efficiency of the Commonwealth’s infrastructure grant programs. Infrastructure investments by the Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development have created over 2,600 new jobs across the Commonwealth to since 2007.

“The town of Burlington has a record to be proud of during these hard economic times.  The competence and management of the town leaders to deliver these projects responsibly and on time is to be commended,” said Representative Charles Murphy, “This is a clear case of the state and municipal governments effectively working together.”

The Patrick-Murray Administration’s commitment to investing in the state’s public infrastructure is helping the Massachusetts economy recover from the recession and create jobs faster than most other states. By continuing to fund public infrastructure improvements, even during the worst of the downturn, the administration made it possible for private developers to break ground on more than 50 projects in 2010 that represent over $1 billion in private development and thousands of jobs. In addition, a whole host of benefits can be directly traced to MassDOT's unprecedented building programs. This year alone the administration is directing a record $1.3 billion in infrastructure funding to state and municipal road and bridge repair, transit and general aviation. This focus on infrastructure, communities and residents will strengthen Burlington and the state’s economy.