Advertisement

Stimulus Bill Could Jumpstart Mass. Rail Project

BOSTON (AP) — The Senate version of an $838 billion economic stimulus bill includes money for high-speed rail projects that could help jumpstart Gov. Deval Patrick's proposed $1.4 billion commuter rail link to New Bedford and Fall River.

Sen. John Kerry said he pushed to include $2 billion for investments in high-speed rail projects in the Senate version of the bill — money that could aid construction of the New Bedford project.

Kerry said the Senate version would deliver less education aid to Massachusetts — about $700 million compared with about $1.2 billion under the House version. Kerry said he opposed the lower Senate number.

The two versions head to a conference committee where a final version of the bill will be hammered out.

This program aired on February 10, 2009. The audio for this program is not available.

Advertisement

More from WBUR

Listen Live
Close