Today, Senator Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford) in conjunction with MassDOT, announced that several recreational projects in Mattapoisett have been awarded funds from the Shared Streets grant program. Mattapoisett will receive $237,849 to provide a new, safe connection to the Mattapoisett Rail Trail and create a new safe route to Old Hammondtown Elementary School and areas of employment in Fairhaven. Today’s grant investments build off a $500,000 bond authorization that Senator Montigny championed in 2018 for the South Coast Bikeway Alliance.
As a response to COVID-19, MassDOT’s Shared Streets and Spaces quick-launch and quick-build grant program provides grants for cities and towns to quickly implement or expand improvements to sidewalks, curbs, streets, on-street parking spaces, and off-street parking lots in support of public health, safe mobility, and renewed commerce in their communities.
“Our regional bike paths are not only an unbelievable recreational asset, but they serve as a critical connection for people to get to school, work, and back home,” said Senator Montigny. “This investment from MassDOT will allow for more local connection between our regional bike path systems and for greater social, economic, and environmental benefits.”