BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) recently announced that $4.47 million has been awarded to 12 communities as part of the Fiscal Year 2021 Round 2 of grants for the Complete Streets Funding Program. As part of the announcement, the Town of Scituate was awarded $400,000 to complete Phase 2 of the Country Way Multi-Use Trail, connecting multiple neighborhoods to schools, businesses, senior centers, the public library, and other important buildings to allow safer and more accessible travel.
“This grant will allow Scituate to take the next steps in making the Town more friendly and accessible for pedestrians, bicyclists, and more,” said Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “It’s great to have the Town receive the maximum allowable grant through this program and I look forward to seeing the completion of the Country Way Multi-Use Trail in the months ahead.”
“The Town is thrilled to receive the $400,000 Complete Streets Grant to complete Phase 2 of the Country Way Multi-Use Trail. The completion of Phase 2 will finish the last section of the Trail on Country Way and provide a safe way to walk or bike from all the way from North Scituate to Scituate Harbor as well as connecting Country Way to the Greenbush Commuter Rail Station,” stated Scituate Town Administrator Jim Boudreau. “Congratulations go to the DPW Engineering Department for completing the grant application and Senator O’Connor and Representatives Kearney and Meschino for their advocacy on behalf of the Town.”
"Our residents and businesses look forward to the walkability, accessibility and safety this particular grant award will make happen along Country Way," said Representative Patrick Kearney (D-Scituate). "The Town has been working hard on its 'Complete Street' phases. These monies provide that vital support to complete what has long been a priority for residents. I am very appreciative that this came together because of this state program."
Approximately, 56 percent of the $4.47 million awarded throughout the state will fund projects located in Environmental Justice communities. Environmental Justice communities are determined using U.S. Census data and are defined by the Commonwealth as communities in which the median household income is equal to or less than 65 percent of the statewide median, 25 percent or more of the residents identify as a race other than white, or 25 percent or more of households have no one over the age of 14 who speaks English only or very well.
A “Complete Street” is one that enables safe, convenient, and comfortable travel for users of all ages and abilities regardless of their mode of transportation. Administered by MassDOT, the Complete Streets Funding Program aims to teach communities about Complete Streets and encourage the integration of Complete Streets into regular local planning practices. Since its launch in 2016, 231 municipalities have worked through the program to adopt a local Complete Streets Policy. 198 have advanced even further to develop an approved Complete Streets Prioritization Plan. A representative from each municipality registered with the program also attends a training course to learn about Complete Streets.
For more information about the Complete Streets Funding Program, visit www.masscompletestreets.com.