Massachusetts Governor Deval L. Patrick (D) signed into law the first week of August three bills allocating over $5 billion for construction. One bill would earmark $3-billion for accelerated bridge repair and replacement targeting about 250-to-300 of the state's 543 structurally deficient bridges. By accelerating the work the state hopes to save $1.5 billion in cost inflation and deferred maintenance.
Another $2.2-billion was allocated for new college building or renovation projects, including $1-billion to the five University of Massachusetts campuses and $1.2-billion to state and community colleges.