Infrastructure & Transportation
While frequently overlooked, transportation and infrastructure issues are major factors in both our economy and quality of life. Stephen knows that in order to strengthen our economy and help working families these issues must be addressed.
As the senior New England member of the Transportation Committee, Stephen has continuously pushed for funding to repair our crumbling roads and bridges to bring them up to date and safe for travel. Beyond our roads and bridges, Stephen knows that many people rely on a public transportation system that is outdated and inadequate. In Congress, he is working to invest in updates and modernizing our public transportation infrastructure to create a more reliable, environmentally friendly option people can count on.
A member of the Aviation Subcommittee, Stephen continues to be a vocal advocate for airline safety, for those working and travelling on airlines as well as those who live in the path of airline traffic. Sponsoring efforts such as the Air Traffic Noise Pollution Expert Consensus Act to study the health effects of airplane noise over residential areas, and the Health Safety in Skies Act to create federal COVID-19 protection guidelines for airline employees and travellers, Congressman Lynch is working to keep us safe in the skies and on the ground.
Our Infrastructure issues don’t end with our transportation system, most water and power systems are outdated and can be harmful to both people and our environment. Stephen believes that Congress must take the lead in fixing these antiquated systems to improve quality and ensure safety while promoting cleaner energy alternatives that have a positive impact on our environment.
Broadband access is another critical infrastructure need where we have fallen behind, particularly in our rural and underserved areas. As America shifts the way we learn and work in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, universal access to broadband is even more essential. In Congress, Stephen has consistently supported federal efforts to increase broadband access and knows that this, like other necessary infrastructure improvements, are essential to working families and our economic future.
As a member of the Transportation Committee, Stephen helped to craft the Moving Forward Act. The bill will invest billions of dollars in transportation and infrastructure needs including roads and bridges, transportation systems and broadband access – all while putting our country on a path toward zero carbon emission, making communities and roads safer and addressing long-standing disparities.
The bill passed the House in July 2020 and included three initiatives authored by Stephen: The Green Buses for Every Community Act which requires 10 percent of zero-emissions bus grants to go to low- income communities; The Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Act which requires the Department of Transportation to study dangerous intersections and roads every two years and make improvements to increase pedestrian and cyclist safety. Additionally it requires DOT to document any accidents or fatalities and maintain a database of high-risk intersections and roads; Ensuring Health Safety in Skys Act which requires the establishment of a joint task force to create federal safety guidelines for passengers and employees to help protect them against coronavirus as they travel.
As your Congressman, Stephen will continue to continue to fight for these necessary and critical transportation and infrastructure improvements.
Lynch: Commuter Rail Operator Will Hold Off On Furloughs
WBUR Dozens of commuter rail conductors will stay on the job after being told they'd be furloughed, according to U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch. The South Boston Democrat told WBUR's Radio Boston that Keolis, the company that runs the commuter rail for the MBTA, has had...
Fed money allows T to reverse transit cuts, insists Lynch
Dorchester Reporter/ State House News Service By Katie Lannan, State House News Service The state’s congressional delegation is “furious” about service reductions at the MBTA and plans to have “hard conversations” with transit officials and Gov. Baker about reversing...
Gov’s MBTA cuts draw fire from elected officials
Agency looks to cut service despite federal aid Bay State Banner By Morgan C Mullings n December, the MBTA announced planned cuts to service, and the cuts went into effect on Sunday, March 14. Though the changes to more than 35 bus lines, along with reduced frequency...
Mass. congressional delegation calls on MBTA to justify service cuts
By Matt Berg The Massachusetts congressional delegation on Wednesday called on MBTA officials to justify service cuts amid increased federal transit funding, saying the reductions disproportionately affect essential workers from low-income communities. In a letter,...
Lynch pledges ‘hard conversations’ with Baker over T cuts
WHDH Channel 7 By State House News Service The state’s Congressional delegation is “furious” about service reductions at the MBTA and plans to have “hard conversations” with transit officials and Gov. Charlie Baker about reversing them, U.S. Rep....
Lynch slams MBTA for cuts to jobs, service despite hefty federal aid “We’re going to have to have a come-to-Jesus meeting,” Rep. Stephen Lynch said.
Patriot Ledger By Mary Whitfil QUINCY – U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch bashed the MBTA on Monday for furloughing workers and continuing with service cuts despite receiving significant federal aid. "We didn't give a couple billion dollars to the MBTA...
Congressman slams state officials over MBTA cuts
‘They’re going in the opposite direction that we need to be going in,’ Representative Stephen Lynch says Boston Globe By Adam Vaccaro and Travis Andersen Days after President Biden signed a $1.9 trillion relief package, congressman Stephen Lynch denounced the MBTA for...
‘We’ve got to get on the same page,’ Rep. Lynch says about MBTA funding
WCVB-TV BOSTON- A member of Massachusetts' congressional delegation expressed opposition to some of the cost-cutting measures under consideration by the MBTA. Rep. Stephen Lynch appeared alongside Mayor Marty Walsh at Faneuil Hall on Monday morning and spoke at length...
Rep. Stephen Lynch talks vaccines, American Rescue Plan, MBTA at Monday event
Fox 25 News By Robert Goulston BOSTON — Representative Stephen Lynch was in Massachusetts Monday talking about how he believes the state will benefit from the American Rescue Plan. The congressman also gave an update on vaccine supplies from the federal government....
‘I Don’t Think So’: Massachusetts Congressional Delegation ‘Furious’ About MBTA Cuts
WBZ CBS Boston BOSTON (CBS) – Massachusetts Congressman Stephen Lynch said the state’s delegation is “furious” about cuts at the MBTA, saying it does make sense after the organization received $1 billion in federal funding. Amid plummeting ridership, the MBTA cut nine...