Washington (October 31, 2023) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) celebrated the Department of Transportation awarding nearly $4 million – through the first round of the Fiscal Year 2023 Safe Streets and Roads for All grants – to make safe bike paths accessible by developing critical transportation infrastructure, including pavement markings, signs, and biker lanes, which will bolster roadway safety and connectivity in Somerville.
“The roads we use every day shouldn’t pose a threat to pedestrians or cyclists,” said Senator Markey, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. “The nearly $4 million in federal funding will ensure that our roadways are more accessible and safe for cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers alike – all while lowering carbon emissions. I will keep working with local leaders and my Massachusetts colleagues to fight for a safe, reliable, and accessible transit system that moves us closer to a future free from fossil fuels.”
“Incredible news for our Somerville community! Thanks to this federal funding, Somerville will build more protected bike lanes and make our roads safer for everyone: bikers, pedestrians, and drivers,” said Senator Warren. “This investment is key towards building greener, healthier, and more sustainable communities in Massachusetts and I will keep pushing for these grants to improve our transportation and transit systems across the Commonwealth.”
“Cycling is at the intersection of climate justice, transit justice, and health justice, which is why I’ve consistently advocated for multi-modal transit infrastructure that includes safe, reliable, connected bike lanes,” said Congresswoman Pressley, Co-Chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus. “This nearly $4 million in federal funds will help Somerville improve the safety of cyclists, reduce traffic and greenhouse gas emissions, and help connect more residents to major employment areas. I’m thrilled to partner with our Senate colleagues and the Biden Administration to help deliver these much-needed resources for Somerville and I look forward to working with Mayor Ballantyne and city officials to see the project implemented.”
Three other communities in Massachusetts also received funding in the current round:
The Department of Transportation will announce a second round of the Fiscal Year 2023 Safe Streets and Roads for All grants in the coming months.
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