 |
| 麻州大學羅爾分校教授游子揚2年前就已經指出隧道結構有問題。 (臉書截圖) |
麻州交通廳(MassDOT)官員在事件發生後表示，混凝土掉落不是結構性問題，他們檢查了隧道系統內150多個接縫位置，沒有發現需要立即修復的地方。
然而2023年麻州交通廳自己的檢查報告卻顯示隧道結構元素有問題。
游子揚教授指出，人類肉眼應該看不到用於加固混凝土的鋼筋，一旦可以看到，就是隧道體的結構已腐蝕了，鋼筋也將以非常快的速度加速腐蝕。那也意味著鋼筋將難以繼續發揮保護作用。
游子揚還表示，檢查員的檢查重點是隧道的結構元件，而不是導致上週事件伸縮縫。
麻州交通廳是一個監管35英里隧道，3492條州有橋梁，以及1615條市鎮所擁有橋樑的機關，每兩年或者更頻繁地做檢查。
麻州交通廳表示，由於天氣狀況導致的結構老化，或者是橋樑撞擊等外部因素，將來仍然可能出現隧道、橋樑故障情況。
Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $1 Million in Innovation Career Pathway Grants to 29 School Districts
Administration has invested over $10 million to-date to expand educational opportunities for students in fields like information technology, clean energy, health care assistance
ATHOL — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today $1 million in Innovation Career Pathway grants to 29 school districts. This funding enables districts to plan and implement pathway programs that provide students with coursework and experiences in high-demand STEM industries before they graduate high school, including in health care, technology, manufacturing, life sciences, and environmental sustainability.
Blackstone-Millville, Milford, Old Rochester (regional district serving Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester) and Wilmington school districts are receiving funding to design Innovation Career Pathways programs for the first time.
Governor Maura Healey and Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler made this announcement today at Athol High School, where they saw the impact of the manufacturing pathway firsthand from students.
“In Massachusetts, we want to ensure that what students learn in school helps them get to where they want to go, while also meeting our workforce needs. That’s why we are invested in Innovation Career Pathways. Today’s funding will help expand these critical opportunities - from Northampton to Barnstable - that inspire students to plan career paths for today’s innovation economy,” said Governor Maura Healey.
“Our administration has invested in Innovation Career Pathways, Early College programs and career technical education opportunities because we know they allow students to explore careers and make critical connections with local businesses and mentors,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I am grateful to the administrators, educators, employers and community partners who make these programs possible.”
As part of the Executive Office of Education’s “Reimagining High School” initiative, students participate in internships, college-level courses, and hands-on learning experiences that align with their career interests through Innovation Career Pathways. Today’s announcement builds on the $387,000 in Innovation Career Pathway Planning Grants awarded to 26 school districts in October, with $10 million in funding dedicated to these programs under the administration to-date. Further, the administration last year awarded pathways to 36 new programs with over 8,000 students participating across all pathways. Governor Maura Healey’s 2025 State of the Commonwealth address lifted up the importance of Innovation Career Pathways.
“We want to support our public schools to enable students to see the connection between what they are learning and what they will need to know in the future. Today’s Innovation Career Pathways investment promotes engaging STEM experiences for students, while deepening local connections with employers and future career opportunities,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.
“In our Educational Vision, we say we want learning to be relevant, real-world and interactive, and that’s exactly what Innovation Career Pathways bring to students,” said DESE Acting Commissioner Russell D. Johnston. “I look forward to learning what students explore and achieve as a result of these offerings.”
“As a graduate of Athol High School and co-owner of a local manufacturing company, I am so pleased to see Innovation Pathways programs available to our students,” said Representative Susannah Whipps. “This program offers needed opportunities to our students. I’m very grateful to have Governor Healey making her announcement here today.”
“The L.S. Starrett Company is proud of its continued support to the future manufacturers of America, partnering with Athol High School since 2017. With this collaboration, Starrett brings co-op students who have passed the PMI class to work during their second semester as they have achieved all the credits needed for graduation," said Tim Cucchi of L.S. Starrett Company. “As a result, Starrett gains some assistance in the factory, AHS secures employment for students, and most importantly the students get real-life work experience in a manufacturing environment. Not only are the hard skills put to the test, but the soft skills as well, i.e. showing up on time, demonstrating their work ethic, and the value of such when payday arrives. Students are the future!”
Implementation grants awardees:
School District | Award Amount |
Athol-Royalston | $50,000 |
Barnstable | $50,000 |
Dennis-Yarmouth | $50,000 |
Fairhaven | $11,620 |
Fitchburg | $50,000 |
Lawrence | $42,000 |
Map Academy Charter School (in Plymouth) | $50,000 |
Mendon-Upton | $50,000 |
Millbury | $50,000 |
Northampton | $50,000 |
Norton | $37,255 |
Pioneer Valley | $75,000 |
Revere | $50,000 |
Southwick-Tolland-Granville | $50,000 |
Walpole | $75,000 |
Wareham | $75,000 |
West Springfield | $50,000 |
Planning grant awardees:
School District | Award Amount |
Athol-Royalston | $15,000 |
Blackstone-Millville | $15,000 |
Franklin | $15,000 |
Freetown-Lakeville | $15,000 |
Hatfield | $15,000 |
King Philip | $15,000 |
Milford | $15,000 |
Nashoba Regional | $15,000 |
North Adams | $15,000 |
Old Rochester | $15,000 |
Veritas Preparatory Charter School (in Springfield) | $15,000 |
Wilmington | $15,000 |
Governor Healey Continues ‘Transforming Transportation’ Road Show in Conway
Governor’s $8 billion transportation plan and Chapter 90
bill will improve roads, bridges, culverts and regional transit across Western
Mass, small and rural communities
CONWAY – Today, Governor Maura Healey and
Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt continued the administration's
Transforming Transportation Road Show in Conway to highlight how the Governor’s
proposed $8 billion transportation plan and Chapter 90 bill will improve roads,
bridges, culverts and regional transit in Western Massachusetts and for small
and rural communities.
“Every dollar we invest in our transportation infrastructure
is an investment in improving the quality of life for all our residents,
including Western Mass. Our transportation bills make sure that no community is
left behind and propose significant funding to improve roads, pavement,
bridges, culverts and regional transit,” said Governor Healey. “Under
our plan, communities like Conway and others in Franklin County will see the
largest percentage funding increases in the state. We’re going to make
sure that the distribution of this funding is equitable and takes into account
the unique challenges that our small and rural communities face.”
"As a former Mayor, I know how much our municipalities
need these dollars to fill potholes, fix bridges and culverts, make sure the
buses run on time, and clear ice and snow from our roads. When we’re get this
work done, we make life easier for our residents and our businesses alike,”
said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These resources will directly
help all our constituents – including in Western Mass and our rural and small
communities.”
“Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll have
emphasized that a thriving economy requires a transportation system that serves
everyone, and their proposed budget reflects this commitment,” said Transportation
Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “The administration’s proposed
Fiscal Year 2026 budget builds on last year’s historic investments in
transportation infrastructure and promotes the goals of creating a reliable,
accessible, and resilient transportation system for all. We are excited to work
alongside officials in Conway and all municipalities as we collaborate to
invest in critical infrastructure, expand public transit, and increase travel
options.”
“The Healey-Driscoll administration’s focus on small and
rural towns has increased both funding and administrative help for small towns
like Conway. The addition of the Rural Affairs Office, led by Anne Gobi, is
incredibly important in having our issues both heard and addressed,” said
Conway Town Administrator Veronique Blanchard. “Adjustments to
programs such as Chapter 90, which take into account the struggle towns with
small populations but large numbers of road miles face in trying to maintain
the structure, integrity and safety of our roads, are essential for small and
rural towns.”
The Governor’s transportation plan proposes an $8 billion
investment over the next 10 years to improve the state’s roads, bridges and
public transportation. It would allocate $2.5 billion for road and bridge
repairs across the state through MassDOT, including $1.5 billion to modernize
state-owned bridges and pavements across the state and $200 million to upgrade
aging culvert infrastructure and improve the resiliency of small bridges.
Additionally, the bill would create a Winter Resilience Assistance Program,
making $25 million available to help municipalities cover the cost of winter
operations, distributed based on each community’s share of locally-owned road
mileage. The proposal also includes $110 million for regional transit
authorities, including Franklin Regional Transit Authority, to support
fare-free service, transit improvements and better interconnectivity.
Governor Healey also recently proposed legislation to reform
the Chapter 90 roadways program to substantially increase funding for municipal
roads and bridges. Her bill proposes $1.5 billion over five years to increase
Chapter 90 funding to $300 million annually, a 50 percent increase over the
traditional $200 million. The proposal also introduces a revised distribution
formula, allocating the additional $100 million based solely on road mileage to
better support smaller and rural communities. The multi-year Chapter 90
authorization will allow municipalities to plan long-term road and bridge
projects more effectively, providing stability and predictability for local
infrastructure investments.
Earlier this month, Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor
Driscoll kicked off the Transforming Transportation Road Show at the Brockton Area Transportation’s Intermodal Transportation
Centre to promote the ways in which the plan will support the state’s 15
Regional Transit Authorities. They also visited the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 4 in Medway
to highlight the 140,000 jobs these investments will create in Massachusetts.
(Boston Orange 編譯) 麻省理工學院實驗物理學研究生阮明詩（Minh-Thi Nguyen）去年騎自行車經過劍橋市Kendall廣場時，不幸被卡車撞死。其父阮孝（Hieu Nguyen）月26日遞交8頁訴狀，稱這悲劇完全可以避免，追究卡車司機誤殺 (wrongful death)責任。
時年24歲的阮明詩在2024年6月21日早上8點左右，騎車經過Kendall廣場的Hampshire
街和Portland
街交界處時，被一輛廂型卡車撞死。她父親，住在阿拉巴馬州的阮孝，提出誤殺訴訟。
阮家聘請的波士頓律師事務所 Sweeney Merrigan 律師 J. Tucker Merrigan 在一份聲明中表示，“阮明詩的不幸離世對她的家人、科學界乃至全世界來說都是無法估量的損失”，”她完全沒有責任。她遵守交通法規，待在自己的車道內，還戴著自行車頭盔。這輛重達
10 噸的箱型卡車卻不讓道，從這世界奪走了一位有聰明才智和寬廣胸懷的女孩，它的責任必須被追究”。他們要求陪審團判賠收入及精神損失及喪葬費用。
米斗塞郡地方檢察官辦公室發言人Meghan Kelly表示，還未能聯繫上肇事司機，調查仍在進行中。律師Matthieu
Parenteau 則經由發言人表示，他們已透過資源確認了卡車司機及其公司的身份，但未公開該資訊。
這是劍橋市最近這數周來發生的第2起自行車騎手遇撞身亡事故，許多人因此感到憤怒，尤其騎自行車的人紛紛呼籲要採取按全措施。
Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Over $3 Million in Grants to Help Local Communities Tackle Climate Change
Thirty-three municipalities receive funding to enhance
climate resilience planning while prioritizing equity
BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today
announced it’s awarding over $3 million through the Municipal Vulnerability
Preparedness Planning 2.0 (MVP 2.0) grant program to assist local communities in
preparing for climate change. A total of 23 municipalities and three regional
groups, representing another 10 municipalities, will benefit from these funds.
The goal is to provide financial support and resources so that communities can
create actionable strategies to address climate challenges.
Nearly every municipality in Massachusetts – about 99
percent, or 349 communities – are currently enrolled in this grant program
after completing the original MVP Planning Grant process. Additionally, 32
cities and towns and one Tribe are already updating their resilience plans in a
pilot project awarded in 2023.
"These grants are crucial because they empower
communities to include voices that have often been overlooked in discussions
about climate resilience,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This funding
will help ensure that everyone can contribute to and benefit from climate
action, making our response to climate change more equitable and
effective.”
“As a former mayor, I have seen firsthand how important the
MVP program is for local efforts to climate change,” said Lieutenant
Governor Kim Driscoll. “By collaborating, these cities and towns can share
valuable insights and develop stronger strategies. This approach not only
enhances their climate resilience but also fosters a sense of community and
belonging for everyone involved.”
MVP Planning 2.0 guides communities to prioritize the needs
of those most affected by climate change, ensuring their voices are heard in
the planning process. Cities and towns will also receive training on best
practices in climate resilience and equity, allowing them to rethink their
current plans based on what they learn from community input. Each of the
selected communities will also get $50,000 in guaranteed funding to support
projects that enhance their resilience against climate impacts.
Communities will have access to a new online resource called
Guides for
Equitable and Actionable Resilience (GEAR). This tool provides important
information on how local climate issues relate to everyday concerns like
housing and health.
The municipalities receiving grants will work with experts
in climate resilience and will have an Equity Partner to help keep equity at
the forefront of their plans. They will form a team of community liaisons who
have strong ties to populations most affected by climate change.
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
(EEA) has been collecting feedback from the 33 MVP 2.0 pilot communities to
improve the program. This feedback has led to updates that enhance training on
climate justice and bring more support for addressing community needs.
Communities with older MVP plans had to apply for this round MVP Planning 2.0
to continue qualifying for future funding.
“I am excited to award this round of MVP Planning 2.0, which
will connect six seasoned Equity Partners with municipalities to ensure they
receive focused support for effective, inclusive and community-driven
resilience planning,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “MVP
Planning 2.0 reinforces our commitment to environmental justice and drives
meaningful impact through our grant initiatives.”
“Climate change will bring extreme heat, severe storms, and
increased flooding risk, and the Commonwealth and its communities need to be
prepared,” said Senate Majority Leader Cindy Creem (D-Newton).
“Brookline has been carefully planning to build resilience against those
impacts, particularly for its most vulnerable residents. This MVP 2.0 grant
will bolster the town's efforts to translate its plans into action.”
“Lexington has continued to lead the way in climate
planning, and thanks to the funds provided in the Municipal Vulnerability
Preparedness 2.0 grant program, Lexington will be able to develop concrete
action steps to respond and address the climate crisis with an emphasis on
equity,” said State Representative Michelle Ciccolo (D-15th Middlesex).
The following communities will receive funding to complete
MVP Planning 2.0 in 2025-2027:
|
Applicant |
MVP Program Region |
Total Award |
|
Boston |
Greater Boston |
$75,000.00 |
|
Brookline |
Greater Boston |
$100,000.00 |
|
Cambridge |
Greater Boston |
$100,000.00 |
|
Canton |
Greater Boston |
$100,000.00 |
|
Colrain & Charlemont |
Berkshires & Hilltowns |
$175,000.00 |
|
Conway & Ashfield |
Berkshires & Hilltowns |
$175,000.00 |
|
Devens Enterprise Commission |
Central |
$ 100,000.00 |
|
Duxbury |
Southeast |
$100,000.00 |
|
Holyoke |
Greater Connecticut River Valley |
$102,420.00 |
|
Lexington |
Greater Boston |
$100,000.00 |
|
Martha's Vineyard Commission (on behalf of Aquinnah,
Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, & West Tisbury) |
Southeast |
$408,000.00 |
|
Melrose |
Greater Boston |
$100,000.00 |
|
Natick |
Greater Boston |
$100,000.00 |
|
New Bedford |
Southeast |
$105,000.00 |
|
Newburyport |
Northeast |
$100,000.00 |
|
Pelham |
Greater Connecticut River Valley |
$100,000.00 |
|
Princeton |
Central |
$100,000.00 |
|
Salem |
Northeast |
$105,000.00 |
|
Scituate |
Greater Boston |
$100,000.00 |
|
Sherborn |
Greater Boston |
$100,000.00 |
|
Spencer |
Central |
$100,000.00 |
|
Springfield |
Greater Connecticut River Valley |
$103,780.00 |
|
Swampscott |
Northeast |
$100,000.00 |
|
Swansea |
Southeast |
$100,000.00 |
|
Ware |
Greater Connecticut River Valley |
$100,000.00 |
|
Wrentham |
Greater Boston |
$ 100,000.00 |
|
Total (26) |
|
Total: $3,049,200 |
MVP supports the implementation of the statewide
ResilientMass Plan released in 2023, which provides a national model of
integrating hazard mitigation priorities with forward-looking climate change
data and solutions. The plan is implemented within state government by the
ResilientMass Action Team (RMAT), an inter-agency team led by the Executive
Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Massachusetts Emergency
Management Agency and staffed by designated Climate Change Coordinators from
each Executive Office. The ResilientMass Action Team provides guidance and
decision-making for Plan implementation, further refines priority actions, and
ensures actions are integrated into agency practice and policy.
Governor Healey and Attorney General Campbell Issue Joint Guidance Affirming Commitment to Equal Access to Education in Massachusetts
BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey and Attorney General Andrea
Joy Campbell released updated joint guidance to support higher education and
K-12 institutions in Massachusetts in ensuring equal access and representation
in education, following recent Executive Orders by President Trump and a U.S.
Department of Education “Dear Colleague” letter dated February 14, 2025.
The guidance emphasizes that Massachusetts educational
institutions should continue fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and
accessibility. The legal precedent allows steps to build student bodies diverse
across geography, socioeconomic status, race, sexual orientation, and gender
identity.
Governor Healey and AG Campbell affirm that federal
executive orders or letters cannot change this precedent and stress the
historical and systemic racism's impact on educational access.
“Attorney General Campbell and I are issuing this guidance
to affirm Massachusetts' values,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Diversity is our
strength, especially in education. We will support our schools, colleges, and
universities to ensure all students are included.”
A copy of today’s guidance is available here.
 |
| 波克萊臺灣商會燭光創想講座合影。(商會提供) |
 |
| 波士頓僑教中心主任高家富(右三)和波克萊臺灣商會幹部，右起王嬿淑， 會長陳奕如，夏承賢、郭書妤、李孟潔。(周菊子攝) |
波克萊台灣商會會精心策畫的這工作坊，有20多名商會幹部和臺籍年輕人參加，在寬敞、美麗空間中，先學做手工蠟燭，再聽創業經歷。會長陳奕如指出，2名講者所創事業雖然都是從美學出發，但操作營運方式卻很不一樣，一人只用口頭宣傳，一人強調標準操作流程，啟發人看事情從不同角度思考。
 |
| 2名講者，Akvile Bartaseviciute和焦同。(周菊子攝) |
 | ||
| 波克萊台灣商會會長陳奕如(右)說明二為碼(QR code)， 有2為講者和商會的更詳細訊息。(周菊子攝)
|
Pencil
One創辦人焦同畢業於羅徹斯特科技學院
(RIT)，專業就是攝影，目前在產品攝影這行業已工作15年。他說自己這行，從業者還真不多，目前他在研究一套標準作業程序
(SOP)，藉以做為拓展基礎。他建議有心創業者藉由消費者持有產品的開銷和可獲得價值相除的係數來看，大於3，應該就可以賺錢。
波士頓僑教中心主任高家富這天從郊區另一活動趕來，代表僑委會向商會致意，強調僑委會重視年輕人的未來發展，積極支持臺籍年輕人在生活、工作上互動、交流，學習新知，拓展見聞。
(Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey）和麻州地鐵（MBTA）宣佈，為慶祝南岸鐵路客運服務上路，在3月24日至4月31日之間的週末，民眾可免費搭乘秋河 (Fall River) 和新貝德福 (New Bedford) 路線車輛，並在南岸鐵路六個車站免費停車。
這是65年來，麻州地鐵第一次能夠把鐵路服務帶進麻州東南社區，為地方居民及遊客帶來更多新機會。
在南岸鐵路車站上下車的乘客，將可在 3月29日至4月27日之間的每個週六和週日，以及愛國者日（4月21日）享受這免費週末鐵路服務。
平日搭乘這段第8區通勤鐵路的單程票價為12.25美元（全票）或6美元（優惠票）。其他選擇包括10美元的週末/假日通票，以及8區月票，價格為388美元（全票）或190美元（優惠票）。
包括中堡（Middleborough）和新貝德福等車站的免費停車，可能因車位滿額而提前結束；正常停車費為平日4美元/天，週末/假日2美元/天。
麻州州長奚莉和副州長 Kim Driscoll等州府官員表示，南岸鐵路客運服務上路後，將可改善地方交通擁擠現象，並促進地方經濟發展。MBTA希望藉由提供優惠，鼓勵民眾使用這段鐵路服務。
南岸鐵路客運服務詳細時間表將於下週發布。
BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey and the
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) have announced free weekend
service and parking to celebrate the beginning of South Coast Rail service. The
MBTA is on schedule to begin South Coast Rail passenger service the morning of
March 24, 2025, pending final FRA approval. This will be the first time the
region has had passenger rail service in 65 years. A schedule will be released
next week.
"We are so excited to be less than a month away from
the launch of South Coast Rail service. This will make it easier for South
Coast residents and visitors to move around the state, reduce congestion,
support local businesses and spur new housing and economic development,"
said Governor Maura Healey. "To celebrate the launch and
encourage people to try out this new service, we are proud to be offering free weekend travel and free parking throughout March and
April."
"South Coast Rail is a gamechanger for the South Coast
and our entire state. Our administration is all about making it easier, quicker
and more affordable for folks to get where they need to go," said Lieutenant
Governor Kim Driscoll. "We're grateful to General Manager Eng and his
team at the T for delivering this major project, and we encourage everyone to
check it out and take advantage of free weekend travel and parking."
“The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to
expanding access to public transportation, investing in infrastructure
improvements, and furthering the mission of MassDOT to provide safe, reliable
and resilient transportation in every corner of the state,” said Transportation
Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We are excited about the
beginning of passenger rail service between Fall River, New Bedford, and Boston
on March 24 and know that several weeks of free parking and weekend free fares
at select properties are just the incentive needed to boost ridership.
The new train service and discounts will transform how people travel into the
city from communities on the South Coast.”
"The MBTA is proud to bring rail service to the Southeastern communities after 65 years, offering new and exciting opportunities for residents and visitors in this region," said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. "Providing free weekend service and parking through April is something we are pleased to offer riders to encourage more people to experience the convenience of this valuable transportation expansion. We will continue to invest in the Commonwealth’s communities and provide mass transportation service that the public deserves and expects.”
Free Weekend Service
Fare-free service will be available on South Coast Rail’s
Fall River and New Bedford lines for all weekends (Saturdays and Sundays)
between March 29 and April 27, and on April 21 (Patriots’ Day). Passengers can
ride for free if they are boarding or ending their ride at one of the six South
Coast Rail stations.
Riders should share their origin and destination stations with conductors in order to receive free travel. This offer is only valid on the Fall River and New Bedford lines and does not apply to trains on other Commuter Rail lines.
Weekday Fare Information: Regular Commuter Rail Fares Apply
On weekdays, regular Commuter Rail fares are in effect for
South Coast Rail. All South Coast Rail stations will be priced in Zone 8. This
means that passengers will pay a full fare of $12.25 and a reduced fare of $6
for a one-way ride between Zone 1A to 8.
Other Fare Options:
Free Parking
Commuter Rail parking at the six South Coast rail station
lots – Middleborough, East Taunton, Freetown, Church Street, Fall River Depot,
and New Bedford – will be free March 24 through the end of day April 31,
2025.
This free parking promotion may end early if South Coast Rail parking lots fill up and spaces become unavailable. Standard parking rates for South Coast Rail stations are $4 per day on weekdays and $2 per day on weekends/holidays.
