Rep. Trahan has submitted funding requests for community projects in Massachusetts’ Third Congressional District to the House Appropriations Committee.
Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request funding for up to 15 projects in fiscal year 2024. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. Additional information on the reforms governing Community Project Funding is available here.
In compliance with House rules and Appropriations Committee requirements, Rep. Trahan has certified that neither she nor her immediate family has any financial interest in any of the projects she has requested. The submissions are listed in alphabetical order by city/town of the proposed recipient.
[Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee]
West Main Street over Nonacoicus Brook Bridge Replacement
Amount Requested: $2,500,000
Recipient:
Town of Ayer, Massachusetts
1 Main Street, Ayer, Massachusetts, 01432
Project Description: The funding would be used to replace the existing stone bridge on West Main Street over the Nonacoicus Brook using phased lane construction to avoid detours.
Justification: The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will maintain connections in the region for commerce, emergency response, regional schools, and livability.
Federal Nexus: The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by 23 U.S.C. 133.
Signed Disclosure Agreement
[Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies]
Public Safety Radio Project Phase III
Amount Requested: $400,000
Recipient:
Town of Berlin, Massachusetts
23 Linden Street, Berlin MA 01503
Project Description: The funding would be used to improve public safety radio communications in the Town of Berlin.
Justification: The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the current public safety equipment is obsolete and failing. Because Berlin is a rural, heavily wooded community, lives depend on the reliability of the Town’s radio systems during emergencies rendering this project a critical use of taxpayer funds.
Federal Nexus: This project has a Federal nexus because it is for the purposes authorized in Section 306 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 U.S. Code section 1926(a).
Signed Disclosure Agreement
[Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee]
Billerica Town Center Project
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Recipient:
Town of Billerica, Massachusetts
365 Boston Rd, Billerica, MA 01821
Project Description: The funding would be used to make a two-way road and build sidewalks which will help ensure the revitalization of the center of their town.
Justification: The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it would eradicate current economic development deterrents, such as traffic congestion, to allow for the arrival of new businesses and more housing.
Federal Nexus: The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by 42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(2) and/or 5305(a)(4).
Signed Disclosure Agreement
[Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee]
Parkerville Road Sidewalk Construction
Amount Requested: $350,000
Recipient:
Town of Chelmsford, Massachusetts
50 Billerica Rd, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Project Description: The funding would be used for the installation of new sidewalks on Parkerville Road between the Town Line with Westford and Maple Road.
Justification: The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because this section of new sidewalk has been identified as critical pedestrian infrastructure necessary to provide safe pedestrian access to residents in the community and students and families at the Byam Elementary School. In addition to providing safe pedestrian access for the Byam Elementary School community, new sidewalk along Parkerville Road would improve pedestrian connectivity and access to the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, Heart Pond, and other local businesses near Rt 27 (Acton Road).
Federal Nexus: The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by 42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(2).
Signed Disclosure Agreement
[Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee]
WHEAT Community Connections New Housing
Amount Requested: $1,800,000
Recipient:
WHEAT Community Connections Via the United Way of Tri-County
46 Park Street, Framingham MA 01702
Project Description: The funding would be used to construct 8 new transitional/subsidized housing units on the 4th floor of a newly constructed facility for WHEAT Community Connections in Clinton, Massachusetts.
Justification: The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the facility will incur myriad public benefits including construction of a new 4-story facility on a blighted downtown parcel, contributing to a revitalized downtown corridor. It will also enable the capacity for increased wraparound support services for the general public, specifically Low to Moderate Income (LMI) individuals. Finally, the project will ensure the provision of 8 new affordable/subsidized housing units for LMI individuals in an area where housing is neither abundant nor affordable.
Federal Nexus: The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by 42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(2).
Signed Disclosure Agreement
[Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee]
Fitchburg Public Library Renovation
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Recipient:
City of Fitchburg
718 Main St, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Project Description: The funding would be used to complete the renovation of the Fitchburg Public Library at the heart of Downtown Fitchburg.
Justification: The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will create a state-of-the-art library that will continue to serve the residents of Fitchburg, draw people to downtown Fitchburg, and provide economic benefits that will substantially enrich and enhance the quality of life for all in the City.
Federal Nexus: The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by 42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(2) and/or 5305(a)(4).
Signed Disclosure Agreement
[Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies]
James Street Pump Station Upgrades
Amount Requested: $1,153,540
Recipient:
City of Gardner
96 Pleasant Street, Gardner, MA, 01440
Project Description: The funding would be used to renovate the James Street Pump Station.
Justification: The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will ensure safe and adequate drinking water supply for the community by reducing the frequency and duration of service interruptions and water quality issues caused by pump failures or malfunctions.
Federal Nexus: The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by Title VI of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C 1381 et seq.
Signed Disclosure Agreement
[Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies]
Locke Street Sewer Separation Project
Amount Requested: $3,500,00
Recipient:
City of Haverhill
40 South Porter Street, Haverhill, MA 01835
Project Description: The funding would be used for first of three phases of a combined sewer separation project, which will separate approximately 3,500 LF of combined sewers in the Locke Street area of Haverhill, Massachusetts by installing new storm drainage pipe, disconnecting catch basins from the sanitary sewer and connecting them to the separate storm sewer, and rehabilitating existing sewers and manholes.
Justification: The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because this project is critical to helping the City reduce the volume and frequency of combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges from the three CSO regulators within the Locke Street Area to the Little River and Merrimack River. EPA and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection understand the importance of improving the water quality of the Little River and Merrimack River by reducing CSO events and they included such in their Consent Decree with the City. The less stormwater that flows through the combined sewer system will result in less flow that needs to be treated at the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF). When the WWTF capacity is exceeded during rain events, the excess wastewater is bypassed after only receiving primary treatment and disinfection before it is discharged into the Merrimack River.
Federal Nexus: The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by Section 219(f)(337) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992.
Signed Disclosure Agreement
[Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee]
Mario Lucchesi Memorial Bridge Repair
Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Recipient:
City of Lawrence
200 Common Street, Lawrence, MA 01840
Project Description: The funding would be used to replace the repair of deck cracking, honeycombing concrete, scaling and repair of hallow spalls throughout the length of the bridge.
Justification: It would also ensure repair of deteriorated beams or girders through shotcrete application as well as repair of scaled, cracked and spalls of the bridge railings, back walls breast walls and wing walls. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the bridge plays a pivotal connecting role to interstate highways such as I-495, I-93 and Route 114. Its repair has a powerful impact on cash flow and economic activity.
Federal Nexus: The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by 23 U.S.C. 133.
Signed Disclosure Agreement
[Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee]
Upper Merrimack Corridor Improvement
Amount Requested: $1,500,000
Recipient:
City of Lowell
375 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852
Project Description: The funding would be used for the improvement of a stretch of the corridor with sidewalk repairs, ADA improvements, lighting, landscaping, seating, and wayfinding to make a safe and comfortable pedestrian-friendly corridor.
Justification: The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because this part of the City is in need of investment to provide the local residents and businesses with the dignity of basic functioning public realm features such as safe and comfortable sidewalks for people of all ages and economic conditions. Currently, there are several successful local small businesses in this area that need support that the City is willing to provide but unfortunately is unable to due to limited resources. This project, even though only a small part of the city, when successful will become the standard of how the City can plan, strategize, and fund improvements in other parts of Lowell with similar challenges. This area is in fact home to large affordable housing units property of the Lowell Housing Authority and would benefit with improved basic public amenities that reflect the City’s commitment to social equity and economic prosperity while fostering the sense of community and belonging.
Federal Nexus: The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by 42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(2) and/or 5305(a)(4).
Signed Disclosure Agreement
[Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee]
Rehabilitation of the Commuter/ADA Access Way at Gallagher Intermodal Transportation Center (GITC)
Amount Requested: $5,000,000
Recipient:
Lowell Regional Transit Authority
115 Thorndike St. Lowell, MA 01852
Project Description: The funding would be used for at GITC for replacing the pedestrian bridge; replacing the elevator car and equipment within the existing shaft and elevator equipment room; replacing the platform access stairs and ensuring it conforms to current code required riser and tread dimensions; replacing the platform canopy including structure, lighting and drainage; replacing the platform decking including tactile warning strips and extending the high-level platform to meet ADA requirements; providing a new ramp at the end of the platform to offer accessible access down to the at-grade platform; and signage to indicate the emergency egress route from the end of the at-grade platform, which is a heavily traversed route with local, commercial and commuter traffic.
Justification: The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the GITC serves as a transportation hub for the LRTA’s bus and van services and as the connection to the northern terminus of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail’s Lowell Line. Current temporary repairs have only one more year of useful life; without this project access to the Commuter Rail from GITC will have to be closed for safety reasons.
Federal Nexus: The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by chapter 53 of title 49 of the United States Code.
Signed Disclosure Agreement
[Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee]
Advanced Innovation Facility
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Recipient:
The University of Massachusetts Lowell
220 Pawtucket Street, Lowell, MA 01854
Project Description: The funding would be used to advance the East Campus development at UML. Specifically, it will enable the construction of the Advanced Innovation Facility, which will be the anchor project. It will house a combination of university computer technology uses alongside spaces leased by corporate and other partners with community resources on the ground floor, forming an ecosystem for job creation, educational opportunity, and innovative discovery.
Justification: The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it is a relatively modest investment of federal funding which will immediately leverage much greater levels of private and institutional resources for a project that injects much-needed economic development in a smaller post-industrial city. Once complete, this development will also yield multiple long-term returns for our students, local companies, and the City of Lowell. By connecting students to private employers this facility will help these companies expand and grow their workforces while simultaneously creating transformative career-connected opportunities for the students. This will also contribute to expanding the municipal tax base to help increase the City of Lowell’s ability to sustain itself with less ongoing dependency on subsidy from higher levels of government.
Federal Nexus: The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by 42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(2) and/or 5305(a)(4).
Signed Disclosure Agreement
[Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies]
Infrastructure and Drainage Improvements at Old Ferry Road Industrial Area
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Recipient:
City of Methuen, City of Methuen, Department of Public Works
10 Ditson Place, Methuen, MA 01844
Project Description: The funding would be used to install a stormwater management system, including gutters, catchbasins and filtration systems to protect Hawkes Brook and Bare Meadow Brook as well as replace a damaged culver at Bare Meadow Brook and Drew Road.
Justification: The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the installation of a municipal sewer system would allow for the elimination of several septic systems along the roadway providing for additional water quality improvement in the area. Additionally, this area includes a 70-acre Brownfields site that was the former location of a trucking operation that left a record of illegal dumping and environmental degradation. It is a priority for environmental cleanup and site reuse/redevelopment by the City, a goal which would be advanced by the planned infrastructure improvements.
Federal Nexus: The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by Title VI of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C 1381 et seq.
Signed Disclosure Agreement
[Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies]
Tyngsborough MA-Sewer Capacity Project
Amount Requested: $480,000
Recipient:
Tyngsborough Sewer Commission
25 Bryants Lane, Tyngsborough, MA 01879
Project Description: The funding would be used for sewer infrastructure rehabilitation.
Justification: The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will ensure the Tyngsborough maintains sewer capacity to support housing, economic development, and ensure environmental benefits by allowing parcels with failed septic systems to have the availability to connect to municipal sewer.
Federal Nexus: The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by Title VI of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C 1381 et seq.
Signed Disclosure Agreement
[Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee]
Route 2A/Depot Road Intersection Reconstruction
Amount Requested: $2,500,000
Recipient:
Town of Westminster
11 South St. Westminster MA 01473
Project Description: The funding would be used for the full upgrade of the intersection at Depot Road and Route 2A, which is a heavily traversed route with local, commercial and commuter traffic.
Justification: The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because this intersection is currently not signalized and is a two-way stop. This project would upgrade the intersection to full signalization, including proper multimodal accommodations and safety aspects to improve the traffic pattern. Not only will this increase safety, but it will also drive economic development.
Federal Nexus: The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by 23 U.S.C. 133.
Signed Disclosure Agreement
