Rep. Hynes' State House Report October, 2003 DNA TESTING: The House, meeting formally this week, enacted legislation to require that DNA samples be taken of all convicted felons and be incorporated into the criminal justice database. Like fingerprinting, this new technology can be used to accurately track and prosecute perpetrators of crime and is expected to be an effective tool in the efforts to apprehend criminals and provide citizens with a greater sense of safety. This measure is expected to grow the state's present DNA database from 20,000 to 90,000, since heretofore only those convicted of a violent felony were included. ROAD DOLLARS: The Romney Administration this week released state monies to local municipalities for improvements and repairs to local roads. This financial partnership between the state and local government has existed for several years and is financed from taxes paid by motor vehicle drivers when they purchase gasoline. Two years ago the Executive and Legislature agreed to provide $100 million annually from the state's Capital Budget for this purpose. Although the release of these monies was delayed while the Administration reviewed and made adjustments to the Capital Plan, local officials are pleased that the aid pledge is being kept. Scituate will receive $285,215 and Marshfield $376,005. The monies are distributed based on a formula which takes into account the size of the community and the totality of road miles within it. MAJOR HIGHWAY PROJECTS: Several area road and bridge projects, affecting South Shore residents, are underway or in the planning stages - totaling over $300 million dollars. Rte. 3 (1) The $6 million, two year old, resurfacing of Rte. 3 between Hingham and Duxbury is winding down, having, this fall, completed the bridge deck resurfacing and now constructing 14 emergency turnouts to allow commuters use of the breakdown lane between Exits 12 (Pembroke - Marshfield) and 13 (Hanover). (2) Roadway improvements at the Sagamore Rotary are expected to cost $35 Million. Present plans call for Rte. 3 to be extended directly onto the Sagamore Bridge; Rte. 6, East/West, will travel under Rte. 3 through a shallow -cut tunnel. Work is expected to be complete in 2006. (3) The $1.2 Million Rte. 3A Bridge, over Rte. 3 in Kingston, involves superstructure and substructure reconstruction and rehabilitation. (4) The relocation of Rte. 44, connecting directly between Rte. 3 and Rte. 58 in Carver/Middleboro, has been constructed in several phases. The $23 Million Phase 2 between the Kingston town line to Rte, 3 is substantially complete. The $35 Million Phase 3 constructs a new connector road between Kingston and interchange of Rte. 58./ Rte. 44 in Carver/ Middleboro. (5) The $120 Million Rte. 3 Add- A -Lane Project between Weymouth and Duxbury is on hold and under review by the Romney Administration while they evaluate the need and desirability of an Add -A- Lane north, Weymouth to the Braintree merge, and the need for improvement to the Braintree merge itself. Bridges: (1) The $3.2 Million Captain Frederick Stanley (Sea St) Bridge over the South River in Humarock completed the public hearing 25% design this Summer. This project will be a full bridge replacement, including improvements to the approach roadways, sidewalks, and drainage system. (2) The Julian Street Bridge, South River, Humarock - project includes replacing the existing bridge with a five span concrete box beam structure. It is estimated to cost $1.2 Million and is at the 25% design stage. (3) The Union Street Bridge over the North River, Marshfield/Norwell is less than 25% designed. The bridge will be completely reconstructed with construction expected to begin in FY' 2006. Preliminary estimates are at >Bacp; $1 Million. Rte. 3A: (1) The $96 Million temporary Fore River Bridge, Weymouth, opened to South bound traffic two weeks ago. North bound traffic is expected to be using this span within 6 weeks. The bridge has a design life of 15 years. The structure and placement of a permanent new bridge is still under study. (2) The Rte. 3A Bridge deck replacement over the Back River in Weymouth - Hingham is being delayed while an extra work order is processed for the relocation of an existing gas main. The $3.6 Million project is being constructed in stages and consists of complete replacement of the existing bridge superstructure and reconstruction of the roadway approaches. An additional project, worth $500,000 involves resurfacing of the Rte. 3A roadway between the Back River and Fore River Bridges. Other: (1) Rte. 53 and Rte.228: Queen Anne's Corner, Hingham: this congested intersection, as well as the Grove Street intersection to the South, will be widened to five lanes, with three lanes available on the roadway between them - the third lane designed as a turning lane.This $3 Million project has completed the 100% design stage and is awaiting construction advertising. (2) The 1.7 mile reconstruction of Rte. 123 in Norwell, between Dover Street and the Scituate town line had its 25% design hearing in February and is awaiting design completion. (3) A consultant has been selected to design intersection improvements on Rte. 53 and Winter St. in Duxbury. A review of the need for signals is now underway. (4) The Rte. 139/Plain Street sidewalk improvements/construction is underway and is expected to be completed this Fall. State and Marshfield town monies are used, with the Town of Marshfield's DPW bidding and administering the project. Reflection: "Travel: one way of lengthening life, at least in appearance." Benjamin Franklin Back to top of page |