Bay State communities are poised to see a multimodal facelift as the Healey-Driscoll Administration has awarded $6.6 million in grants through the Complete Streets Funding Program's latest round. According to an announcement on Mass.gov, the Fiscal Year 2026 Round 2 funds will bankroll infrastructure projects in 15 locales, honing in on enhancing the experience for pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit users alike.
Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng highlighted the initiative's aim: "Our Complete Streets program empowers municipalities across the Commonwealth to make upgrades to accessibility, quality of life, and safety for all road users." In a statement obtained by the Massachusetts government website, Eng reveals the administration’s efforts to "We are ready to partner with these communities and put critical resources to good use through the Complete Streets Funding Program" and put the newly allocated resources into action. Projects under this initiative include everything from new sidewalks and bike lanes to traffic signal upgrades and accessible pedestrian signals.
Undersecretary and State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver emphasized the tailored approach of the program, which is designed to meet the specific needs of each community. He expressed congratulations to the grant recipients, stating that these projects are set to substantially improve. "Congratulations to this round’s winners and thank you for your partnership in making transportation investments that improve safety, mobility, and economic activity." Among the highlights are a new sidewalk in Andover to facilitate access to the MBTA Ballardvale Commuter Rail Station, and improvements at a key intersection in Ashland to boost safety and accessibility for all traffic participants.
Athol, Bridgewater, and Clinton form part of the list, with their projects ranging from greening measures to sidewalk and bike network upgrades. Going beyond just aesthetics, they stand to directly better the pedestrian and cyclist navigational experience. In Somerville, a robust $500,000 injection is bound to overhaul Gilman Square, with a suite of improvements that marries function with form. The Fullerton Street project in Westport also aims to increase pedestrian safety with new sidewalks and signage, according to Mass.gov.
Of the brace of projects bolstered by this funding, a solid dozen will boost Environmental Justice communities, evidencing a stride towards equity in transportation accessibility. Each awarded locale in the Commonwealth has the opportunity to roll out critical enhancements — from modest curb ramps in Plainville to far-reaching intersection augmentations in Wilbraham. For additional details on the Complete Streets Funding Program and the full list of awardees, interested parties can visit the official website linked above.
