MassDOT District 5 gives project updates as RTA wins $7.6M VW grant for six electric buses

MassDOT District 5 and the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority provided updates during the MPO reports section.

Barbara Lachance of MassDOT District 5 listed project statuses: the Bourne rotary improvements project was advertised and bids opened Oct. 3 but has not been awarded; Route 6 pavement preservation and other projects have upcoming bid openings or design submissions. Public commenter John York asked about the design exception granted for the Bourne Rotary Improvements (project 610542) and whether MassDOT or the Army Corps is responsible for sidewalks versus travel lanes; Lachance said she had no further details to provide at this meeting and the district will follow up.

Deb of the Cape Cod RTA said the agency won a $7,600,000 grant from the Volkswagen Settlement Trust to purchase six Gillig electric buses and associated charging infrastructure. "We were awarded a $7,600,000 grant to get six new Gillig electric buses and the charging infrastructure for that as well," Deb said; staff expect vehicles by February and are finalizing bus selections.

Members asked for copies of the bid documents and PS&E plans for the Bourne Rotary project; MassDOT agreed to follow up with the highway administration and provide the requested materials.