The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDoT) has approved $16.7bn in planned transportation investments over the next five years.

This follows a 21-day public comment period for the draft capital investment plan (CIP). The CIP guides how the administration prioritises and funds local and statewide transportation projects and determines funding for infrastructure, including railroad and transit projects, accessibility upgrades, roadway and bridge improvements, municipal projects, and investments for regional transit authorities (RTAs).

The plan describes both projects and programmes for improving transportation throughout Massachusetts, including local aid grant programmes that support municipal transportation infrastructure needs.

Included in the CIP is more than $800m for the Massachusetts Bay Transport Authority (MBTA) over five years, including funding for Red and Orange Line vehicles, South Coast Rail, and bi-level commuter rail coaches.

“I want to commend our tireless team members who have been working on the five-year plan, crunching the numbers and ensuring funding is allocated for the essential projects our communities need,” said transportation secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt.“I also thank everyone who gave input during the public comment period, helping to ensure that we make effective, equitable investments.”

In addition to support for the MBTA, the CIP includes:

• $772m for the Cape Cod Bridges programme, as mentioned in a recent announcement (www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-wins-1-billion-for-cape-cod-bridges-replacement).
• $367m for the I-195 to Route 18 interchange rehabilitation in New Bedford.
• $295m for the ongoing I-90/I-495 interchange improvements in Hopkinton and Westborough.
• $256m to support the Rourke Bridge replacement in Lowell.
• $243m for I-90 Allston Multimodal project in Boston.
• $123mto advance West-East Rail, including track improvements between Springfield and Worcester; planning and design for a future Palmer Station; Pittsfield track capacity improvements; preliminary engineering and environmental work for the Springfield area track reconfiguration; and planning for additional train service connecting Boston and Albany, New York.
• $56m to reconstruct approximately 4.8km of Route 20 in Charlton and Oxford, for enhanced safety and multimodal accommodations and to rehabilitate bridges in the area.
• $53m to improve mobility, connectivity and safety along and across Route 79 and Davol Street in Fall River.

For more on MassDoT’s CIP, visit www.mass.gov/CIP.