BOSTON — The Senate today announced a plan to consolidate the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Massachusetts Highway Department under one agency as a way to reduce costs and simplify operations.
Lawmakers say the move could reap potential savings up to $6.5 billion over 20 years.
Senators made the announcement at a 1 p.m. news conference at the Statehouse.
"It is absolutely vital that we implement reforms and a restructuring plan," said Methuen Sen. Steven Baddour, senate chairman of the Transportation Committee. "Rather than simply throwing more toll and tax-payer money at a broken system, we need to ensure that we have the most efficient system possible."
The plan would create a quasi-public agency called the Massachusetts Surface Transportation Authority, or MassTrans, to assume the duties of the three current agencies.
MassTrans would absorb roadways and bridges currently managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. And it would take over operations of the Tobin Bridge, which is currently controlled by Massport.
The agency would be overseen by an 11-person board, chaired by the Secretary of Transportation. An appointed CEO would run day-to-day operations. Under the new agency, all transportation revenue would be pooled.
The organization would be split into two divisions: Roads and Bridges, and Public Transit.
The Senate will propose to phase in the transition to the new agency over time, with the Western Turnpike, MassHighway and DCR roadways and bridges by July 1, 2009; the Metropolitan Highway System, Tobin Bridge and RTAs by July 1, 2010; and the MBTA by July 1, 2011.
The Senate plans to file legislation by early February.
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