Associated Press – November 29, 2007 3:04 PM ET Boston (AP) – Governor Patrick unveils a plan to pump $4.8 billion into the state’s crumbling transportation infrastructure. The bill requires the state to borrow $2.9 billion. The rest of the money will come from federal funds. The measure includes $500 million for road and bridge repairs and $100 million for rail projects, including the early planning for a commuter rail line to Fall River and New Bedford. It also includes about $700 million to pay for a series of projects the state agreed to build as part of the Big Dig, including an extension of the MBTA Green Line to Somerville. Patrick says the state can afford the investment, which he says will help reduce an estimated $15 to $19 billion transportation funding gap over the next 20 years. Lawmakers plan to hold public hearings on the bill next year.
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