Massport Board Approves Billion Dollar Capital Program
Five Year Plan Funds 379 Projects, Supports 1,244 Construction Jobs

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today approved more than $1 billion to fund 379 projects as part of the Authority’s fiscal year 2010 – 2014 comprehensive financial plan of capital improvements.

The five year plan, amended annually, is expected to sustain the equivalent of 1,244 full time construction jobs. It will also fund such major initiatives as Boston Logan airfield improvements, including an expanded, decked safety area for runway 33L; repair and renovation of the Terminal B Parking Garage; centralization of the security checkpoint at Terminal C; construction of the Consolidated Rental Car Facility project; security enhancements throughout all of the Authority’s facilities; a major upgrade to the Conley Container Terminal in South Boston; and improvements to the Cruiseport Boston passenger terminal.

The capital program totals $737 million in Massport generated funds and FAA stimulus grants. Another $271 million from Customer Facility Charges will be used to partially finance the Consolidated Rental Car Facility. Another $46 million in private funds and special facility bond projects are also included in the capital program.

“I’m happy to be moving forward with our rolling five-year capital program that meets the transportation needs of businesses and the traveling public while also creating construction jobs that will lift our economy out of this difficult recession,” said Massport Executive Director and CEO Thomas J. Kinton, Jr.

The capital plan reflects Massport’s current financial constraints while at the same time addressing the Authority’s primary goals of safety, security, maintenance, sustainability, economic development, and customer service. Since fiscal year 2007, nearly 900 construction jobs have been created as a result of Massport-related development and maintenance activities. And in FY09 and FY10 Logan Airport had four new airlines start service bringing needed jobs to the region.

Massport’s capital plan also includes investments that promote sustainability and a cleaner environment. The Terminal B Garage project includes the installation of photovoltaic solar panels on the garage roof and the replacement of existing lighting with Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights in the garage, roadway and walkway. The Consolidated Rental Car Facility will be designed to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification standards by the Green Building Council. Improvements to the Civil Air Terminal building at L.G. Hanscom Field will also include a 57,000 kilowatt hour per year solar array.

In its capital projects, Massport actively evaluates renewable energy options in conformance with Governor Deval Patrick’s “Lead by Example” executive order that directs state agencies to purchase 15% of the energy they use from renewable resources, while also setting aggressive goals for greenhouse gas reduction.

Massport receives no state tax funding and is governed by a seven member Board. Six of the members are appointed to staggered seven-year terms by the Governor of Massachusetts, and the Secretary of Transportation serves as an ex officio member.

Boston Logan, 15 minutes from Routes 128/90 and five minutes from downtown Boston, serves as the gateway to the New England region and offers nonstop service to 70 domestic and 31 international destinations and in 2009 handled 25.5 million passengers. Boston Logan is the Air Line Pilot Association’s Airport of the Year for 2008 because of its commitment to safety. Over the past decade, the airport spent $4.5 billion on a modernization program that includes new terminals, parking facilities, roadways and airport concessions, and has been transformed into a world-class 21st Century facility. You can find us on facebook at facebook.com/bostonlogan and follow us on twitter at twitter.com/bostonlogan.

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