Politics & Government

Oversight Hearings on T and Commuter Rail Coming to State House

The hearings are expected to take place in April or May, said state Sen. Thomas McGee, D-Lynn.

This press release was submitted by the office of state Sen. Thomas McGee of Lynn. 

Rep. William Straus and Sen. Thomas McGee, Chairmen of the Joint Committee on Transportation, have announced a series of Transportation Oversight Hearings to be held in Boston beginning next month. 

Oversight hearings will address theand delays that occurred during the winter months and to also address the light fixtures in the Thomas P. “Tip’’ O’Neill Jr. Tunnel after the recent reports of one fixture falling into the northbound lanes in early February.

Find out what's happening in Swampscottwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“During this past winter, there were numerous delays due to service outages, weather-related issues and other problems that substantially impacted thousands of commuters over the last couple of months. 

As recently appointed, these hearings will give us an opportunity to hear from authorities at the T and the Commuter Rail about how improvements and adjustments are being made to prevent this from happening in the future” said Senator McGee.

Find out what's happening in Swampscottwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“We expect these hearings to be informational, but, more importantly, we expect these hearings to provide solutions” said Representative Straus.  “In addition, we expect to receive assurance that appropriate measures are being taken to secure overhead lighting in the tunnels so that it is safe for drivers to travel without fear of any falling fixtures”. 

Officials from Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), and Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR), are scheduled to testify, including State Department of Transportation Secretary Jeffrey Mullan and MBTA General Manager Richard Davey. 

Public input will help determine a set of additional witnesses that will be asked to testify at the second hearing.

The first oversight hearing will be held Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at 2 p.m.  in Hearing Room A-2 at the State House. 

A follow-up oversight hearing will be held Tuesday, May 3, 2011, at 2 p.m. in A-2. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here