MA House Adopts Amendment To Reduce I-93 Pollution In Somerville

SOMERVILLE, MA – The Massachusetts House of Representatives recently adopted Somerville Rep. Mike Connolly's amendment to secure $500,000 in bond funds to address I-93 air pollution in the city. The amendment was filed by Connolly and co-sponsored by Reps. Denise Provost and Christine Barber, both of Somerville.

It was adopted as part of H.4018, which would provide for the immediate capital improvement needs of the Commonwealth, during the final session of 2017. The legislation will now move to the Senate for consideration.

"As the new State Representative for East Somerville, I am particularly focused on the need to mitigate the impact of air pollution from Interstate 93," Connolly said in a statement. "That's why I'm proud to announce the adoption of this amendment to create a funding opportunity to help address I-93 pollution, and I want to express my thanks to my Somerville House colleagues Rep. Provost and Rep. Barber, as well as the entire membership for supporting me with this district priority."

Connolly represents the 26th Middlesex District, which includes East Somerville, Assembly Square, part of Union Square and neighborhoods in Cambridge. He and his colleagues previously worked to help secure $65,000 in the FY18 state budget to address I-93 pollution, and he recently began working on a proposed Health Impact Assessment on roadway pollution.

Image via Shutterstock