Columnists :: Political Notes
Chang-Díaz supports new Silver Line plans
by Brandon Simes
Managing Editor
Tuesday May 5, 2009
State Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz on May 4 joined Gov. Deval Patrick, Mayor Thomas Menino, and other state officials to announce more than $100 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds slated for Silver Line and bus expansion.
"Today’s announcement is a great boost for the residents of Boston," said Chang-Díaz. "I’m hopeful that this money will help stimulate small businesses and jobs access in our city. Additionally, these transportation improvements will help businesses and families for years to come, by making work and school commutes more efficient. I want to thank the Patrick-Murray administration for their commitment to public transportation and I am looking forward to working with them to stretch every dollar for the maximum impact in the district and to make sure that local residents have access to the construction jobs created."
The plan calls for the extension of Silver Line service from Dudley Square to Mattapan Square via Grove Hall on one end, with construction set to start in the summer of 2010, while the other piece of expansion will create a direct Silver Line route to South Station via Essex Street, starting in fall 2009.
The new services will reportedly not affect the final outcome of the $1.5 billion tunnel expansion project currently up in the air that would connect the Silver Line with South Station underground.
At-Large City Council candidate Ayanna Pressley starting strong
Ayanna Pressley, Sen. John Kerry’s political director, announced on May 4 that she has raised just over $12,000 in her first official week of campaigning for one of the four at-large city council seats up for election this fall. Pressley’s campaign has also recruited over 100 volunteers thus far, according to a news release from her campaign.
"I am so energized and humbled by the support our campaign has received in just the first week," said Pressley. "These are really tough economic times for families throughout our city, so I am incredibly grateful for the faith that people have in our campaign. I’m really looking forward to continuing to meet Boston voters and keeping this momentum going."
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