Did you know that the average on-street parking spot costs $1750 to build and $400 annually to maintain? That means it's safe to assume that even if you aren't paying for a parking spot, someone else is. For more transportation-related stories, comments and general gripes, check out our  blog and  follow us on Twitter @MerrimackVlyTMA.

Greetings! 

I hope you are having an enjoyable summer and getting a chance to soak up the warm sun and the longer days.

We've been busy at work at the Merrimack Valley TMA - attending the construction groundbreaking event at the Methuen Rotary, helping our members set up vanpools, and working with our partners at MassCommute, MassRides and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to get the word out about a vanpool subsidy, an electric vehicles subsidy, an MBTA fare increase, and the change to electronic tolling on the Tobin Bridge. Needless to say, it's been a busy summer for us! We're also hosting some vanpool formation meetings at TMA member worksites later this month and again in August. Please read on for more details.

Enjoy summertime in New England! It's the perfect time to try a shared commute! 

Andrea

On July 1st, the Department of Transportation announced a vanpool subsidy program that offsets the cost associated with a monthly vanpool lease. It is limited to $600/month (not to exceed 50% of the monthly lease cost) for those qualifying vanpools that lease their vans directly from a participating vanpool vendor. More information... 

To promote this initiative, the MVTMA has partnered with VRide to help with the formation of new vanpools at our member companies. We will be hosting summer vanpool events in Andover next week and again in August. We hope you'll join us to learn how you can save money on your commute and enter to win great raffle prizes. Cool Off Your Commute...Jump into a pool - a VANPOOL!

MassDOT Secretary & CEO Richard Davey and other officials attend the Methuen Rotary groundbreaking

Construction on the Methuen Rotary on I-93 is underway! Beginning on July 28th, travel in the breakdown lanes from Exit 46 to Exit 47 on I-93 will be prohibited. On I-93 southbound, travel will be shifted from just south of the Pelham Street on-ramp to just south of the Merrimack River Bridge. On I-93 northbound, travel will be shifted from just south of the Pelham Street off-ramp to just south of the Route 110/113 off-ramp.

The Merrimack Valley TMA will post construction updates regularly on our  website.

Click here to sign up for construction updates from MassDOT.

Last month, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) announced two incentive programs for those interested in alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs).

 

DOER Rebate Program for EV Drivers - Drivers can apply for a rebate up to $2,500 for the purchase or lease of a new electric vehicle.     

MassDEP Grant Program - Provides incentives to employers who install EV charging equipment at their worksite. MassDEP will provide 50% of the funding (up to $25,000) for hardware costs to employers who install Level 1 and Level 2 charging stations.