Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) joined with state and local leaders for a roundtable briefing on federal investments recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives to support projects focused on upgrading the City of Haverhill’s infrastructure.

“For too long, our local communities have been forced to foot the bill for urgent infrastructure upgrades. The INVEST in America Act that we passed in the House last month finally changes that by ushering in a once-in-a-generation federal investment in rebuilding our hard infrastructure and getting folks back to work in quality, good-paying jobs,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “From riverbank stabilization to updated community transit, these critical infrastructure projects will benefit all those who call Haverhill home — and the support included in the INVEST Act will make these projects possible. I look forward to working with President Biden and my colleagues in the Senate to push these critical investments forward, so cities and towns across the Commonwealth and country can continue to build back better.”

“The Invest in America Act will help fix and improve infrastructure in Haverhill,” said Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini. “If you want to know why this act is needed, you need only drive across the Basiliere Bridge, a state-owned bridge, and see the deteriorating condition. It is expected to cost about $55 million to fix that bridge and the city certainly does not have that. The state tells us, incredibly, that there are 200 bridges in Massachusetts that are in worse condition than this bridge.”

“This infrastructure bill will allow us to help fix and improve the dangerous intersection of Route 108 and 110, it will allow us buy new vans to transport the elderly and physically disabled, and it will help us make site improvements to the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority’s bus garage and administration building on Railroad Avenue in Bradford,” Mayor Fiorentini added. “It is also our hope that this bill will help us tackle two major infrastructure projects on our agenda — building a new industrial park in Haverhill and continuing to improve and grow our downtown. We are very grateful to Congresswoman Trahan who has been a leader in fighting for this infrastructure bill and a leader in fighting for infrastructure money for our city.”

Last month, the House took up and passed the INVEST in America Act, an ambitious infrastructure package containing transformational investments in America’s highways, roads, bridges, transit, rail, and water infrastructure that will help create jobs and combat the climate crisis. During consideration of the legislation, Trahan successfully secured more than $19 million in federal funding for specific infrastructure projects in the Third District, including multiple initiatives in Haverhill.

The package includes $1 million to support intersection reconstruction on Route 108 (Newton Road) and Route 110 (Kenoza Avenue and Amesbury Road), $725,000 to support riverbank stabilization construction at the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) bus garage and administration building, and $375,000 for new MVRTA vans for elderly and those with disabilities in Haverhill.

Led by Haverhill Mayor James Fiorentini, Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority Administrator Noah Berger, and Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Executive Director Jerrard Whitten, the roundtable briefing provided insight on the scope of each project and background on how these federal transportation and infrastructure investments will benefit the region. Congresswoman Trahan was joined by State Senator Diana DiZoglio (D-1^st Essex), and State Representatives Andy Vargas (D-3^rd Essex), Linda Dean Campbell (D-15^th Essex), Christina Minicucci (D-14^th Essex), and Lenny Mirra (R-2^nd Essex), as well as Carrie Lavallee, Chief Engineer for MassDOT’s Highway Department, and Chris Kivoir with MassDOT’s Government Affairs Team.

“Representative Trahan has been a tireless champion of transit riders in the Merrimack Valley, calling attention to the fact that our buses literally connect our neighbors to jobs, education, and all of life’s activities,” said Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority Administrator Noah Berger. “While we are currently hearing a lot about the two infrastructure bills under debate in Washington, the INVEST Act is actually the third and perhaps most important leg of that stool, as it sets the funding and priorities driving annual transit appropriations for the next five years. Thanks to Representative Trahan’s leadership, the bill is boldly centered around the key principles of the environment, equity and inclusion, which are critically important to the Merrimack Valley.”

“Addressing the roadway alignment at the Route 108/Route 110 intersection in Haverhill is an important project that will improve multiple modes of travel,” said Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Executive Director Jerrard Whitten. “This location has been identified by MassDOT as a “Crash Cluster” and the proposed project will correct the alignment issues that contribute to the observed safety problems. This intersection is also used by large freight vehicles traveling to and from I-495 so the geometric adjustments that are planned will allow freight trucks to better traverse the intersection. As an additional benefit, with its close proximity to Winnekenni Park and Northern Essex Community College, the planned improvements will make bicycle and pedestrian crossings much safer. All of these factors were considered by the MVMPO in selecting this project for inclusion in the region’s FFYs 2021-2025 Transportation Improvement Program.”

In addition to the more than $19 million in federal funding to support infrastructure projects across the Third District, Trahan successfully secured portions of her bipartisan Stop Sewage Overflow Act in the INVEST package, including $2 billion in grants specifically addressing combined sewage overflows (CSOs), an issue that has plagued communities along the banks of the Merrimack River. The package also includes Trahan’s provision to lower local cost-share requirements for these grants, meaning participating communities will be able to opt-in with less than a dollar-for-dollar match. The package now moves to the Senate for consideration.

“Now more than ever, our communities need meaningful infrastructure upgrades that improve our roads, bridges and highways, support efforts to protect our environment and create good-paying jobs in the process,” said State Senator Diana DiZoglio. “Thank you to Congresswoman Trahan for her efforts to secure this critical federal funding, which will go a long way to bolstering infrastructure projects in the Merrimack Valley, including the City of Haverhill.”

"Upgrading our infrastructure is critical as we re-build from the effects of the pandemic, and work to create a more resilient and equitable economy,” said State Representative Andy X. Vargas. “I applaud Congresswoman Trahan for securing this important funding, and for continuing to address the devastating effects of CSO's on the Merrimack River. I look forward to working with our federal partners so that we are ready to use infrastructure funding to invest in affordable internet, improvements to Haverhill Commuter Rail Line service, and to begin swift renovation of the Basiliere bridge.”

“The Congresswoman continues to be a strong voice for the City of Haverhill and all the communities of the Merrimack Valley,” said State Representative Christina Minicucci. “Funding for projects such as the regional transit buses and riverbank reconstruction has district-wide impact that improves the health, safety, and quality of life of constituents across the region. I look forward to our continued partnership as we work to improve the cities and towns along the Merrimack River.”

“These specific projects are so needed and will bring with them local jobs,” said State Representative Linda Dean Campbell. “We are grateful to Congresswoman Trahan for the laser focus in assisting communities up and down the Merrimack River to reduce CSOs. This is a health priority and an economic priority for all cities and towns up and down the river.”

“We've worked collectively for several years to finally address serious concerns with the Merrimack River,” said State Representative Lenny Mirra. “It's great to see these efforts finally succeed with these much-needed funds which will benefit every community on the river.”

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