WASHINGTON “  Congressman John W. Olver (1st District) announced today that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2000 Transportation Appropriations bill includes $1.25 million for the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority.  The funding will be used to expand MRPC°s bus facility in Fitchburg and expansion of commuter rail parking in Leominster.

Congressman Olver is a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and included the earmark in the FY Š00 bill.

œI am pleased to be able to deliver over a million dollars in transportation funding to the cities of Fitchburg and Leominster,” Olver said.  œIn my position on the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee I have been able to advocate successfully for the transportation needs of north central Massachusetts - all of which focus on the unique economic concerns of these communities,” Olver said.

"These funds will play a vital role in strengthening our transportation infrastructure which is incredibly valuable to the economic health and prosperity in the region,” Olver commented.

MART will use $830,000 of the funds to expand the MART maintenance facility at R1427 Water Street in Fitchburg.  The remaining $420,000 will be used to purchase land in Leominster to expand commuter rail parking.  A combination of state and local funding will cover the remaining costs.

œI look forward to continuing to work with the mayors of the Twin Cities and the staff at MART to complete these projects, and with the state legislative delegation to secure the match required to access these federal funds,” Olver added

Since 1995 Olver has secured over $10 million in transportation projects for North Central Massachusetts. A partial list includes: $1 million/Fitchburg Intermodal Center; $3 million/Route 2 improvements; $1.5 million/Fitchburg Rte. 2 Connector; $1.25 million/MART bus facilities and parking expansion; $2 million/Fitchburg Intermodal Center Platform; $750,000/North Street Improvements; $500,000/ITS for MART°s vehicles; and, $875,000/Route 2 Traveler Kiosks System.