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Boston's Morning Newsletter
A toll on the future Cape Cod bridges? Mass. is not considering it 'at this point'
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I thought March was supposed to go “out like a lamb.” (Maybe it’s a gray, slightly damp lamb?) While we wait for blue skies to return this weekend, let’s get to the news.
The toll of getting to the Cape: Massachusetts has figured out the logistics of replacing the Bourne and Sagamore bridges. Paying for it? That part is still a bit TBD. Last week, the state committed $700 million to replace the two aging bridges, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (which owns and operates them) has agreed to put in $600 million. The state’s elected officials are also pushing for another billion in federal grants. But all that would add up to just about half of the total estimated cost of the project: $4.5 billion.
- What about putting bridge tolls up in the future to help pay for it? Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt said on WCVB over the weekend the state “is not ruling out anything, especially from a revenue standpoint.” But she also said “we are not looking at that at this point.”
- The big picture: Tibbits-Nutt says the state is focused on making sure there’s money for the project, regardless of the outcome of this fall’s presidential election. “We have funding plans and we are going to continue to put in contingencies,” she said. “We’re not just banking on Biden being reelected for that funding strategy.”
- Reminder: Gov. Maura Healey is prioritizing the replacement of the Sagamore Bridge before the Bourne Bridge in the hopes of securing funding and starting the project as soon as 2028.
Seeking shelter: Massachusetts is implementing new restrictions on the state’s overflow shelter system. According to the rules announced yesterday, families in those shelters — which were set up for those who couldn’t get into the larger emergency shelter system that Healey capped at 7,500 families last fall — will have to reapply each month, starting May 1. They’ll also have to prove each month they’re engaged with certain state services, like job training and English classes, in order to keep their spot.
- Why? Healey says it’s needed as her administration faces climbing shelter costs amid a rise in new immigrants to Massachusetts. “I think it is entirely necessary to impose requirements and to make sure that people are fulfilling those requirements if we’re going to continue to allow folks to stay in these safety net sites,” Healey said. However, some critics say the policy will create more work for shelter staff and new barriers for unhoused families.
- The change will affect families at overflow sites in Cambridge, Roxbury and a soon-to-be-opened shelter in Chelsea. As of last week, there were 781 families on the state’s shelter waitlist.
Back by popular demand: The MBTA’s East Boston ferry will return to the water this coming Monday, April 1. The ferry will run every half hour, seven days a week, between Lewis Mall Wharf and downtown Boston’s Long Wharf through the end of November. T officials say it will again be free during the two-month Sumner Tunnel closure this July and August. Otherwise, it costs $2.40 each way.
- That’s not all: The Lynn ferry is also coming back this spring, though not until April 29. It will run through Oct. 31 (with new weekend service starting May 25). The weekday Winthrop ferry will also begin its loop between Winthrop Landing, Quincy and Boston’s Central Wharf on April 29 and run through Nov. 30. Click here to see the full map of the T’s ferry routes.
Just peachy: After a spring freeze wiped out virtually all of New England’s peach crop last year, local farmers are feeling pretty optimistic about this season, New England Public Media reports.
- Fingers crossed: Despite the mild winter, western Massachusetts farmers say they didn’t see any peach buds open early. The only remaining danger is a frost between now and mid-May.
- Mark your calendars: Peach season in Massachusetts starts in July. Check out this map of every pick-your-own peach farm in the state. (And if you’re itching to start pickin’ sooner, strawberry season here starts in early June.)
P.S.— In case you missed it, Sen. Elizabeth Warren was on Radio Boston yesterday, during which she discussed her opposition to banning TikTok and the abortion pill case the Supreme Court is hearing today. Listen to the full interview here.
