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The City of Boston and the State of Massachusetts Commit to Funding Healthier Streets

The city of Boston and the state of Massachusetts are investing in safer streets in big ways. Check out the details on their commitment to make streets safer for everyone! 

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Boston Commits $16.15 Million for Safer Streets

Recently, the Boston City Council voted unanimously to approve the fiscal year 2020 operating budget and the fiscal years 2020-2024 capital budget with over $16.15 million in appropriations to make streets safer for walking, biking, and rolling. Thanks to the leadership of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu, the city made a significant investment towards building streets and roads that are safe and accessible for all modes of transportation.

The Mayor made a commitment to address health equity in his budget, and included:

  • $1 million investment to accelerate the design and reconstruction of Boston’s major bike corridors, including extending bike lanes to connect the heart of the city to high areas of need
  • $2 million for bike infrastructure
  • $4 million to strengthen Boston’s Walkable Streets program, which equitably reconstructs sidewalks throughout Boston

The projects in this budget also include investments in communities like Roxbury, where 34.5% of residents live in poverty. In Roxbury, 28.6% of residents are obese and 30.5% have high blood pressure, compared to 21.8% and 24.4%, respectively, in Boston overall.

Congratulations to the American Heart Association Massachusetts and to all volunteers and advocates who are working to make streets safer for physical activity!

Help us share the news:

  • #Congrats #Boston! Thank you for making streets safer for walking, biking, and rolling! @AmericanHeartMA http://bit.ly/2XA7yAm

Massachusetts Funds Safer Streets for Physical Activity

Big news from Massachusetts! In 2016, the state created a Complete Streets Funding Program to support safer walking and biking throughout the state. Recently in the 2020-2024 Capital Investment Plan, Gov. Charlie Baker allocated $11.5 million annually for the next four years for the program.

This funding will help the state, with a population of nearly 7 million, make streets safer for physical activity and will assist in closing critical gaps in transportation networks. The significant investment aims to reduce the fatality rates of walkers and bikers, and increase safe, active transport throughout the state, especially in communities of greatest need.  

Congratulations to the American Heart Association Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Public Health Association, and all the advocates, volunteers and partners who are working to make streets safer for all!

Help us share the news:

  • #Congratulations #MA! Thanks for making streets safer for physical activity! @AmericanHeartMA http://bit.ly/2G7BoRE

 

Want to make progress in your community? Check out our Bike Pedestrian Funding Toolkit!