MassDOT today announced the opening of its online comment tool that enables members of the public to easily provide input and suggestions on potential transportation projects to be included in the agency’s upcoming five-year Capital Investment Plan (CIP).

Following last year’s successful public input process that also included the use of an online comment tool and helped develop the CIP for fiscal years 2017 – 2021, MassDOT is now in the process of updating the CIP for fiscal years 2018 – 2021 and adding on fiscal year 2022.

“We are committed to continuing to engage members of the public and learning more about their needs, priorities, concerns, and ideas as we update our Capital Investment Plan for the next five years,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “The comments and suggestions we received through this tool last year helped us develop the first comprehensive, data-driven CIP to include all MassDOT agencies and the MBTA, and we look forward to continuing to receive input and collaborate with members of the public throughout the Commonwealth.”

Last year, MassDOT received nearly 1,400 written comments throughout its public engagement process and every suggestion, comment, or e-mail was taken into consideration. MassDOT encourages members of the public to submit comments or suggestions on current or future projects and transportation programs and priorities by using the online comment tool.

MassDOT and the MBTA plan, fund, design, construct, and maintain transportation assets that enable the Commonwealth and its people and economy to flourish. For this to happen, the MBTA and each MassDOT agency must identify and prioritize the most beneficial investments, those that will most help to meet long-term goals for mobility, sustainability, and broad-based prosperity. These investments are funded through the CIP, which uses state and federal funding to pay for long-term improvements to the transportation system.

In the past, transportation capital plans consisted almost entirely of long lists of funded projects, with little strategic context and even less demonstrable evidence that the investments chosen out of thousands of possible projects would best accomplish the overall goals of the agency and of the Commonwealth.

The CIP is different in that it is informed by a strategic vision, influenced by public and stakeholder input sought from the beginning of the process, built around funding programs, and made up of projects selected on an objective and comparative evaluation.

For more information, please visit the CIP webpage.

Public comment may also be submitted by email to masscip@state.ma.us

Tags: Aeronautics, highway, MBTA