Politics
State Infrastructure and Jobs Bill Advances, Directing Funds to Liberty Village Transit and Road Projects
The legislation would allocate $85 million for local construction and maintenance work, affecting employment at city transit yards and daily travel on routes such as Harbor Drive.
How we reported this
The state legislature's Infrastructure and Jobs Bill cleared its second reading on July 7 and now heads to the appropriations committee. The measure would release $85 million in bond proceeds for road resurfacing, bus fleet expansion and bridge repairs inside Liberty Village city limits.
State budget documents released last month showed transportation accounts running a $210 million shortfall for the current fiscal year. Lawmakers introduced the bill in May to address that gap through new revenue bonds rather than general fund transfers.
Employment effects at city agencies
City public works crews would receive $32 million of the total for pavement work on Harbor Drive and two smaller arterials. The legislation states that at least 40 percent of contract hours must go to workers residing inside the city, a provision local advocates note could add roughly 180 seasonal positions at the municipal yard on Elm Street.
Service changes for riders and drivers
Another $28 million is earmarked for 12 new compressed-natural-gas buses to be housed at the Liberty Village Transit Center. The government projects these vehicles will enter service on routes 12 and 47 by the second quarter of 2027, cutting average headways on those lines from 22 minutes to 15 minutes during peak periods. The remaining funds would cover engineering studies for a pedestrian bridge over the rail line near the industrial park.
Policy analysts at the state capitol say the bill requires quarterly reporting on spending and job counts to the legislative budget office. The next scheduled step is a floor vote in the assembly during the week of August 11.