MassDOT Announces New Municipal Speed Feedback Signage Program

Program will provide municipalities with solar-powered, data-capable speed feedback signs

 
BOSTON- The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing the launch of the Municipal Speed Feedback Signage Program, a new $1 million initiative designed to help communities manage vehicle speeds and enhance roadway safety, particularly in speed transition zones where posted limits change. 

The program, administered cooperatively by MassDOT’s Office of Transportation Planning and Highway Division, will provide municipalities with solar-powered, data-capable, and Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) compliant speed feedback signs (either post-mounted or portable trailer-mounted) at no capital cost to local governments.  An application form is available online at the following link, with signs distributed on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis. 

Participating municipalities will be responsible for installation and maintenance of the signs and will share the speed data collected from the signs to help support statewide speed management research and decision-making. The initiative is supported with federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funding for Federal Fiscal Year 2026 and aligns with MassDOT’s broader Safe System approach and Vision Zero strategy to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. 

“The launch of this program strengthens our collaboration with cities and towns as we work together to increase driver awareness, reduce vehicle speeds, and make our roads safer for everyone,” said Undersecretary and State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.  “MassDOT’s top priority is and always will be safety so we are excited to partner with cities and towns to provide these signs to qualifying applications at no up front cost to municipalities.” 

Research shows that driver feedback signs are among the most effective tools for influencing driver behavior, reducing average speeds by 2–17% and lowering collision severity by 23–45% in urban environments. Driver feedback signs are particularly effective in speed transition zones where roadway design or context changes, such as moving from rural to suburban or urban areas. 

Details on the program overview, eligibility, application materials, FAQs, and contact information are available on MassDOT’s Municipal Planning & Support Team’s webpage: https://www.mass.gov/massdot-municipal-planning-and-support. 

Temporary lane closures scheduled on Wednesday, December 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

EVERETT – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing that a temporary right lane and right shoulder closure will be in place on Route 16 (Revere Beach Parkway) eastbound between Lewis Street and 2^nd Street in Everett on Wednesday, December 10, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

These closures are necessary to allow crews to safely and efficiently perform roadway repairs.  Due to prior water main break, there was significant pavement deterioration.  The repairs are needed in advance of winter (snow and ice removal) operations. 

This work is being conducted under a District-Wide Resurfacing contract, with D&R General Contracting serving as the prime contractor. 

Appropriate signage, law enforcement details, and advanced message boards will be in place to guide drivers through the work area. 

Drivers who are traveling through the area should reduce speed and use caution. 

The schedule for this work is weather dependent and is subject to change without notice. 

For more information on traffic conditions, travelers are encouraged to: 

• Download the Mass511 mobile app or visit www.mass511.com to view live cameras, travel times, real-time traffic conditions, and project information before setting out on the road. Users can subscribe to receive text and email alerts for traffic conditions. 

• Dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions. 

• Follow @MassDOT on X (formerly known as Twitter) to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions. 

A milestone day at the State House yesterday. After years of hearings, meetings and advocating, An Act Relative to Assault and Battery Upon a Transit Worker, was signed by Governor Maura Healey yesterday. The bill adds transit workers to the public service worker protection in state law, expanding their protections. This is a huge victory for transit workers who face violence everyday just for doing their jobs. I was so thrilled to see it finally cross the finish line and celebrate with the men and women who made it possible. Thanks to the lead sponsor in the Senate, Senator Nick Collins , Speaker Mariano, Senate President Spilka, Chairman Michael Day, State Senator Sal DiDomenico and many more who helped get this bill passed. And the biggest thank you of all to the men and women in our public transit industry who not only fought for this bill but provide an essential service everyday. I’d like to especially thank Billy Beradino and Boston Carmen's Union Local 589 who worked tirelessly on this issue. You got the job done. I’m honored you allowed me to sponsor this bill and fight along side you.

Please find information regarding MassDEP’s Eelgrass Restoration and Carbon Study Grant program. The grant will support eelgrass restoration and monitoring projects design to quantify carbon storage, sequestration rates and/or emissions, within natural and restored eelgrass meadows in Massachusetts.

Eligible applicants for this grant opportunity are any state or local governmental entities, quasi-governmental entities, non-profit entities, or academic institutions. Applications are due January 12, 2026.

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The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is pleased to announce a grant to support eelgrass restoration and carbon research for Commonwealth academic, Commonwealth state and municipal governmental, quasi-governmental, and non-profit entities. Applications are due by 5:00 PM EST on January 12, 2026.

The grant will support eelgrass (Zostera marina) restoration and monitoring projects that also include research to quantify carbon storage, sequestration rates and/or emissions within established and restored eelgrass meadows in Massachusetts.

The grant opportunity is funded through the Massachusetts Climate Protection and Mitigation Trust, which aims to support programs and projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

We expect to make one or two large awards and encourage collaborative teams.

Program Details:

• Maximum Award: $500,000 over two years
• Deadline: January 12, 2026, 5:00 PM EST
• Submission: email to Tay Evans, MassDEP Wetlands Program at [email protected]

To learn more and apply please see the Request for Response attached to this email and posted on the MassDEP website here: Water Resources Grants & Financial Assistance | Mass.gov as well as on COMMBUYS (BD-26-1045-BWR00-BWR01-123283).

On behalf of the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED), we are pleased to announce the opening of the FY26 grant round of the Regional Economic Development Organization (REDO) Grant Program. The REDO Grant Program has been made available in FY26 as the result of an FY26 Budget veto override. Applicant eligibility for this program is determined by Section 3K of Chapter 23A of the General Laws.

Applications are due via online submission no later than December 10, 2025 at 11:59PM. Full details on the round are available in the FY26 Notification of Funding Availability (NOFA), which is available here: Regional Economic Development Organization (REDO) Grant Program | Mass.gov.

MassDOT Announces Fourth Annual “Name A Snowplow” Contest for Massachusetts’ Elementary and Middle Schools

Students statewide are encouraged to submit contest applications. Application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 5

On the Green Line: 

The MBTA will perform work in December to remove outdated infrastructure related to the overhead wire system in the central tunnel areas of the Green Line. With unencumbered access to the underground Green Line track areas, a number of other projects will also perform work, including tunnel inspections, station brightening work, and more.  

To accomplish this work, the following service suspension will take place: 

• Green Line service will be suspended between North Station and Babcock Street on the B Branch, Kenmore on the C and D Branches, and Heath Street on the E Branch for 15 consecutive days, December 8 – 22.  

• B Branch: Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Babcock Street and Back Bay stations.  
• Riders can connect to the Orange Line at Back Bay for continued service through downtown toward North Station.  
• There will be free fares at Kenmore with the fare gates open. Riders can also utilize free Route 57 bus service for alternate travel between Kenmore and Packard’s Corner. 
• Fares will also be free at all surface-level stops west of Kenmore.  
• C Branch: Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Kenmore and Back Bay stations.  
• D Branch: Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Kenmore and Back Bay stations. 
• There will be free fares at Kenmore and Riverside with the fare gates open. Fares will also be free at all surface-level stops west of Kenmore. 

o   E Branch: The Route 39 will replace Green Line E Branch service between Heath Street and Back Bay stations. The route will be fare-free during this service change.   

o   Accessible van service will be available for Green Line stops between Copley/Back Bay and North Station.  

Worried about how a government shutdown might impact your food budget this November? You don’t have to face it alone. The @ProjectBread FoodSource Hotline is here to help families across Massachusetts find emergency food assistance, meal programs and more. 📞 Call or text: 1-800-645-8333 Free, confidential help in 180+ languages. Here’s how they can support you: Find local food pantries or community meal programs. Get tips on stretching your food budget, boosting access to fresh produce and more. Help to determine if you’re eligible for SNAP benefits — and get help applying. If you’re worried about delayed benefits or don’t know where to turn — reach out now. Save the number now and share it with a friend, family member, colleague or neighbor who might need a hand. You are not alone — help is just a phone call (or text) away. 💙

¿Te preocupa que tus beneficios de SNAP se retrasen por el cierre del gobierno? No estás solo(a), y la ayuda está aquí. Llama o envía un mensaje de texto a la Línea de Ayuda FoodSource de @ProjectBread: 1-800-645-8333 para recibir ayuda gratuita y confidencial para encontrar despensas, programas de comidas y más. projectbread.org/es/foodsourcehotline

Preocupado(a) com o atraso nos benefícios do SNAP por causa da paralisação do governo? Você não está sozinho(a) — e a ajuda está aqui. 💙 Ligue ou mande mensagem para a Linha Direta FoodSource da @ProjectBread: 1-800-645-8333 para ajuda gratuita e confidencial para encontrar despensas, programas de refeições e mais. 🌐 projectbread.org/pt/foodsourcehotline

The MBTA today announced service changes in November on the Orange, Green, Red, and Framingham/Worcester lines.  

Riders can find more information on service changes through in-station signage, in-station public announcements, and at mbta.com/PlannedWork. Transit Ambassadors and MBTA staff will be available on-site to offer information and assistance during these service changes. Riders are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts or to follow the MBTA on X @MBTA, @MBTA_CR, and @MBTA_CR_Alerts for up-to-date service information.