Sen. Eldridge, Rep. Sena, and Rep. Cataldo Announce Acton Bikeshare Program Awards
MassDOT Awards $187,450.00 to Acton for 7 Bikeshare Stations
ACTON — State Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough), Rep. Danillo Sena (D-Acton), and Rep. Simon Cataldo (D-Concord) announced that Acton, along with Concord, Lincoln, and Maynard, will receive $187,250 from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to create and fund three years of a regional bikeshare program.
This funding comes as part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s $6.5 million Shared Streets & Spaces Program Awards for 2024. The aim of the program is to make streets and sidewalks in Massachusetts better, safer, and more welcoming for people with disabilities, pedestrians, cyclists, bus riders, children, and seniors as well as for a range of outdoor place-making and civic activities.
This award comes at a good time for Acton. Last year, it was part of the Minuteman Bike Share program with Concord until its one-year pilot ended, leaving Acton without any bikeshare program. Now with this new program, Acton will be part of a regional network of 7 stations providing 42 bikes, 7 of them adaptive to people with disabilities and injuries.
“Acton and the rest of Massachusetts need more programs like these,” said Senator Eldridge. “Providing transport alternatives like rideshare bikes makes it easier for Acton residents to travel off roads for recreation and work in a more accessible and sustainable way. I would like to thank the Healey-Driscoll Administration, MassDOT, and advocates for these programs for putting diverse and accessible transportation into practice.”
“I'm so excited to see the Bikeshare Program take off in Acton,” said Representative Sena. “Ensuring our constituents can access sustainable and affordable transportation is vital to our community, whether it be for work, recreation, or anything in between. I'm thankful for the Healey-Driscoll administration and MassDOT for providing this opportunity in our district.”
“I am thrilled that the town of Acton was awarded this grant to continue and expand its bike share program with the towns of Concord, Lincoln, and Maynard,” said Representative Simon Cataldo. “As our state works towards an ambitious emissions reduction goal, it is essential that our communities continue to receive support towards innovative transportation alternatives, such as bike shares, that are accessible to all.”
The award for this project was one of two that Senator Eldridge’s district received, the other being $200,000 to install new ADA-compliant curb ramps, sidewalks, bike lanes, and pavement marking improvements on Sandy Pond Road.
The ride share program award funds the operation of these stations until 2027.
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