Podcasts about massdot

There's more interest in train travel these days, thanks to higher gas prices, but the efforts to expand access to passenger rail around the Commonwealth have been going on for many years now. Several improvement and expansion projects are already underway through MassDOT's "Compass Rail" initiative, with a significant focus on Central and Western Massachusetts. Meredith Slesinger, MassDOT's Rail and Transit Administrator, joins Nichole to talk about their expansion efforts and the benefits of access to passenger rail services.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MassDOT employees have been scamming the system and The Young Jurks' Mike Crawford breaks down the latest.  Visit the Howie Carr Radio Network website to access columns, podcasts, and other exclusive content.

Boston 25's Ted Daniel brings bombshell receipts on an egregious and brazen DOT overtime scandal.  Visit the Howie Carr Radio Network website to access columns, podcasts, and other exclusive content.

This summer, the MBTA begins a push to make more of its Green Line stations accessible to people with disabilities, and MassDOT hopes to complete a round of repairs to the Storrow Drive tunnel.

8:05PM: What you need to know about MassDOT’s statewide “Kick the Drive” campaign to reduce traffic and keep people moving safely during the seven FIFA World Cup matches that will be held in Massachusetts this summer. Guest: Jonathan Gulliver – MassDOT Undersecretary of Transportation and Highway Administrator 8:15PM: MA retailers get rounding guidance as the penny is phased out… Guest: Colin Young – Deputy Editor for the State House News Service 8:30PM: Mother's Day: Stay-at-home moms should be paid over $160,000 a year to care for their kids, according to a Salary.com study. How did they calculate that? Guest: Natalie King – Mother of 5, with Family Circle (a women’s magazine established in 1932) 8:45PM: New poll shows Americans trust parents not government to oversee kids’ social media… Guest: Angela Erickson – FIRE’s Vice President of ResearchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8:05PM: Loud piledriving expected at Sagamore Bridge next few months as MassDOT load testing begins. What residents & drivers should know. Guest: Luisa Paiewonsky, Executive Director of MassDOT's Mega Projects Delivery Office 8:15PM: AAA Study Finds Street Racing on Public Roads Is a Growing Concern. Nearly a third of respondents said they regularly see racing drivers weaving through traffic. Guest: Mark Schieldrop – Senior Spokesperson for AAA Northeast 8:30PM: May is National Burger Month! Americans consume an average of 2.4 burgers per day according to the USDA, which is about 50 billion burgers per year! We’ll discuss some facts about hamburgers you might not know! Guest: Christopher Carosa – Hamburger historian & author of Hamburger Dreams: How Classic Crime Solving Techniques Helped Crack The Case Of America’s Greatest Culinary Mystery 8:45PM: Nearly 4 in 10 job candidates have bailed on a hiring round because it required an AI interview… Guest: Matt Rosen - the CEO & Founder of Allata. It's a technology consulting firm that's helping automate companies through AI.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MassDOT is warning soccer fans and commuters to be ready for a huge spike in traffic during the World Cup. The trial of former Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs has begun. The Supreme Court restores access to the abortion pill, for now. Stay in "The Loop" with WBZ NewsRadio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We began the program with four interesting guests on topics we think you should know more about! Have you ever heard of the gas tax refund for Mass Pike drivers? You may be eligible for some cash back! 8:05PM: The latest on the Cape Cod Bridges Project. Guest: Luisa Paiewonsky, Executive Director of MassDOT's Mega Projects Delivery Office 8:15PM: Dave McGillivray is running the 54th Boston Marathon, alongside his three children, Astronaut Sunita Williams, and the Finish Strong Foundation Charity Team. Guest: Dave McGillivray, long-time director of the B.A.A. Boston Marathon / athlete, author, and motivational speaker 8:30PM: Have you ever heard of the gas tax refund for Mass Pike drivers? Find out how you might be able to get some money back this tax season! Guest: Mary Connaughton, Director of Government Transparency at the Pioneer Institute in Boston 8:45PM: We’ve had a few asteroids/meteorites hitting Earth lately, but thankfully there are folks out there monitoring it all! A team of MIT researchers are on the “space-case” and have developed a new way to mitigate threats posed by smaller asteroids.Guest: Julien de Wit, Associate Professor of Planetary Science at MITSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brosnan DOTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a massive blizzard bears down on New England, Jim and Margery keep talking on the airwaves. They take calls from listeners on how they're faring during the storm and help Jim answer questions about his pellet stove. Plus:MassDems chair Steve Kerrigan and MassGOP chair Amy Carnevale join us for our regular political check-in.Princeton University professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad discusses the state of Black voter support for the Trump administration, and corporate DEI efforts.Ali Noorani, the Barr Foundation's new president, joins to share his hopes and goals for the philanthropic organization under his leadership.We dedicate hour three of the show to special snow coverage, talking with Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Boston mayor Michelle Wu, meteorologist David Epstein, NBC 10 Boston's Sue O'Connell, GBH's Jeremy Siegel, CAI's John Basile, MassDOT's Jonathan Gulliver, the MBTA's COO Ryan Coholan, and Providence Mayor Brett Smiley. 

The Patriots are headed to the Super Bowl, winter weather drops more than a foot of snow in most parts of Massachusetts, and MassDOT plows get new names from students. Stay in "The Loop" with WBZ NewsRadio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We kicked off the program with four news stories and different guests on the stories we think you need to know about! Update on the Cape Cod Bridges Project – What’s the latest with funding, etc?Guest: Luisa Paiewonsky - Executive Director of MassDOT's Mega Projects Delivery Office Can the Patriots still make the playoffs with 3 games to go?Guest: Chris Price – Boston Globe sports reporter Aggressive new flu variant sweeps globe as doctors warn of severe symptomsGuest: Dr. Anahita Dua - Vascular Surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard University & chair and founder of Healthcare for Action (a coalition of healthcare workers fed up with inaction in gov’t – supporting healthcare workers running for Congress) To show appreciation for our military during the holidays, Miles For Military and the 1928 Rowe’s Wharf restaurant are hosting a free lunch for active-duty military and veterans on Monday afternoon 12/22 - from 11 am to 2 pm.Guest: Jacob Cool - Miles for Military COOSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sue and Kendra talked with Marshall Hook, the Director of Communications for MassDOT about their ‘Name a Snowplow' contest, which encourages local schools to help name the plows that will be servicing our roads this upcoming winter.

We test our knowledge with real or fake headlines! Marshall Hook from MassDOT joins u to talk about an amazing initiative. We have a breaking news update about the Brain Walshe trail! Listen to Billy & Lisa weekdays from 6-10AM on Kiss 108! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Rojas reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas reports.

After Applegreen, the company originally awarded the contract to redevelop and operate 18 Massachusetts highway service plazas, backed out, MassDOT decided to start the bidding process all over again instead of awarding the contract to Global Partners, the second runner up. In addition, Thursday MassDOT Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt resigned. President and CEO of Global Partners, Eric Slifka commented on the latest and Boston Globe business reporter Jon Chesto checked in to discuss.

The head of MassDOT is Monica G. Tibbits-Nutt is pushing some crazy stuff and she's going after everyone with money.  Visit the Howie Carr Radio Network website to access columns, podcasts, and other exclusive content.

After much drama and legal challenges over winning the 35-year multimillion dollar contract with the MassDOT to redevelop and operate 18 Massachusetts highway service plazas, Applegreen, has backed out of the deal. Will rival contract bidder Global Partners be awarded the contract or will the whole project get rebid? How will this shake out as MassDOT originally had a goal of beginning redevelopment this coming January…Jon Chesto, business reporter from the Boston Globe joined us to kick off the topic.

Chris Fama reports. 

James Rojas reports. 

There is an ongoing spat over the bidding procedure for a multimillion-dollar contract to renovate 18 service plazas along Massachusetts roadways. Waltham-based Global Partners LP, a fuel delivery company that currently runs the convenience stores at many of the plazas, lost the bid to Applegreen, a company founded in Ireland with an extensive presence along the Eastern Seaboard. Global Partners legally challenged MassDOT's procurement, evaluation, and operator selection process. President and CEO of Global Partners, Eric Slifka joined us to discuss the latest in this spat.*Applegreen will join us on NightSide, this Friday evening to share their side of the feud*

Vancouver bike activist Lucy Maloney won a seat on the anti- bike city council she fought for years. She gave Taylor a tour of the city and talks about her journey https://vancouver.ca/your-government/lucy-maloney.aspx (2:24). Speed cameras will go up this year in Los Angeles, San Jose, Oakland, Glendale, Long Beach, and the City and County of San Francisco, courtesy of California's AB 645. California bike lawyer (and Bike Talk sponsor) Jim Pocrass says slower speeds will make cyclists safer, but enforcement may be in question because the cams won't recognize faces due to privacy concerns https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB645 (16:57). Paint and political will are all you need, says Micromobilitynyc Reddit moderator Miser of Queens, NY. Miser talks on Ave 31, the protected bike lane he fought for and won https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/05/30/eyes-on-the-street-astorias-big-beautiful-31st-avenue-bike-boulevard (25:25). Queens bike lane opponents are suing Miser along with the DOT for traffic calming https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/08/08/dot-stands-by-astoria-safety-project-despite-foes-anti-bike-lawsuit (38:35). The USDOT wants to hear from Americans what their priorities for transportation are. It's part of the Transportation Reauthorization process, which will set priorities and spending for US transportation for the next 5 years. USDOT secretary Sean Duffy (former Fox host, now also head of NASA) says bike lanes cause traffic, and shouldn't take money from real “vehicles.“ The League of American Bicyclists Deputy Director Caron Whitaker urges supporters of biking and walking infrastructure to comment here: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/DOT-OST-2025-0468-0001 (39:13). MassDOT's under-the-radar redesign spits cyclists from a bike lane onto a busy road, Strong Towns Northampton member Alex Bowman discovers (41:43).

This week on The Horse Race, Steve sits down with Rich Parr VP of the MassINC Polling Group to talk about a new poll they conducted for MassDOT. This highly detailed report, entitled "People and Transportation Project Report," shows how transportation can burden low income residents of Massachusetts. https://www.mass.gov/the-people-and-transportation-project

WBZ NewsRadio's Emma Friedman reports.

We kicked off the program with four news stories and different guests on the stories we think you need to know about!Update on the Cape Cod Bridges Project – What's the latest? Guest: Luisa Paiewonsky - Executive Director of MassDOT's Mega Projects Delivery Office Though we shouldn't be nervous every time we go for a walk or a hike, we should certainly be aware and prepared to meet wildlife. How can you survive, or more importantly avoid, an animal attack? Guest: John Griffin, Senior Director of Urban Wildlife Programs at Humane World for Animals (formerly known as The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International) Those pesky mosquitoes go beyond just delivering itchy bites! They can carry potentially deadly diseases, and many people have misconceptions about this pest that could put them at risk! Fredericks shares common myths and actualities about mosquitoes. Guest: Jim Fredericks, Board-Certified Entomologist and Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the National Pest Management Association We're in the heart of Hurricane Season, and we already saw the devastation of flooding in Texas…It's a good reminder that we all need to be prepared for ANY kind of weather disaster. MEMA shares some tips! Guest: Dawn Brantley – MEMA Director

Residents of the heavily Italian American Nonantum neighborhood in Newton are still not satisfied over the Italian flag lane lines on Adams Street. Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller told Newton residents and listeners on NightSide that the lines were painted over yellow due to safety concerns but said the festival volunteers and residents are welcome to repaint the lines contiguous to the yellow lines before the start of the St. Mary of Carmen Society Festival that begins this week. For many residents, that isn't good enough with more than 2,200 residents taking up a petition to bring back the originally placed Italian lines before the festival. Gina Fiandaca, former Secretary & CEO for MassDOT & former Commissioner of Transportation for the city of Boston, wrote an open letter calling on the city of Newton and the Newton Mayor to replace the lines in full, not as a side feature. Gina joined us to discuss!*Mayor Ruthanne Fuller denied our invitation to join the conversation*

Residents of the heavily Italian American Nonantum neighborhood in Newton are still not satisfied over the Italian flag lane lines on Adams Street. Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller told Newton residents and listeners on NightSide that the lines were painted over yellow due to safety concerns but said the festival volunteers and residents are welcome to repaint the lines contiguous to the yellow lines before the start of the St. Mary of Carmen Society Festival that begins this week. For many residents, that isn't good enough with more than 2,200 residents taking up a petition to bring back the originally placed Italian lines before the festival. Gina Fiandaca, former Secretary & CEO for MassDOT & former Commissioner of Transportation for the city of Boston, wrote an open letter calling on the city of Newton and the Newton Mayor to replace the lines in full, not as a side feature. We discussed.*Mayor Ruthanne Fuller denied our invitation to join the conversation*

MassDOT encourages Memorial Day travelers to plan ahead. The Trump administration blocks Harvard from enrolling foreign students. President Trump hosts crypto investors tonight. Stay in "The Loop" with #iHeartRadio.

MassDOT shuts down all lanes on I-90 WB in Framingham, President Trump meets with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, and residents of downtown Boston calling for more safety measures. Stay in "The Loop" with #iHeartRadio.

MassDOT hopes to have all lanes open on the Mass Pike westbound in Framingham this evening. Fireworks at the White House between President Trump and Ukraine's leader. Governor Healey signs the shelter funding bill. Stay in "The Loop" with #iHeartRadio.

People in the northeast, including Connecticut, are getting fake text messages claiming they owe money for tolls via E-ZPass. The fraudulent texts appear to be from MassDOT but the department has confirmed the messages are part of a "smishing" scam using text-based messaging. Crime prevention expert, Jim Perez, explains what a smishing scam is and how to avoid being duped by them. Image Credit: Getty Images

MassDOT issues a warning of a text messaging scam impersonating a toll agency, EZDriveMA. For more, ask Alexa to play WBZ NewsRadio on #iHeartRadio.

Local residents in Chelmsford are fundraising to install a clock tower to preserve the town's historical charm as part of MassDOT's city improvement project. For more, ask Alexa to play WBZ NewsRadio on #iHeartRadio.

We talked with Marshall Hook, Communications Project Manager for MassDOT about the super fun "Name a Snowplow" Contest they have annually. Students in K -8th grade have a chance to show off their creativity and wit by proposing names for a snowplow in their school's Highway District. Each winning classroom will receive a $100 gift card for school supplies!

We talked with Marshall Hook, Communications Project Manager for MassDOT about the super fun "Name a Snowplow" Contest they have annually. Students in K -8th grade have a chance to show off their creativity and wit by proposing names for a snowplow in their school's Highway District. Each winning classroom will receive a $100 gift card for school supplies!

WBZ NewsRadio's Madison Rogers reports. 

On this episode of Spilling the T, we speak with McKinley Theobald, Deputy Director of Emergency Management at MassDOT. McKinley shares her strategy for emergency management at MassDOT and the collaborative effort to help the MBTA keep people safe in emergency situations. McKinley also speaks about how weather can impact how MassDOT and MBTA resources are utilized during snow, ice, extreme cold or extreme heat. If you're curious about something at the MBTA, please reach out with questions, comments and show suggestions at social@mbta.com. Your feedback might end up in an episode of the show. Follow the MBTA on social media to keep up with news and updates about the system!

WBZ NewsRadio's Brooke McCarthy reports. 

MassDOT is selecting random households to participate in the Massachusetts Travel Study, compensating participants with gift cards. 

Is our country in a civics education crisis? We got your thoughts. Fabiola Mendez & Elsa Mosquera are our guests for Live Music Friday this week, ahead of the free Fiesta en la Plaza taking place throughout Latinx Heritage Month in Boston. Ela is the co-founder of Agora Cultural Architects, who organized the festival. Fabiola is an award-winning cuatro player.Boston Globe reporters Jessica Bartlett & Mark Arsenault talk about their latest Spotlight reporting on Ralph de la Torre and the collapse of Steward Health Care.Transportation secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt joins for her first-ever interview on BPR. She talks about ongoing projects for MassDOT like the East-West Coast Rail, Cape Cod Bridges, the Allston Multimodal project and more. Then we read your texts on the court case between an estranged couple fighting over who gets to keep the $70,000 diamond engagement ring. Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner joins us from her "she-shed" in the woods and reacts to new GOP efforts to block mail-in ballots in swing states, a New York appeals court rejecting two new attempts by Trump to lift his gag order in his hush money case. And, she has thoughts on the engagement ring case. Then we opened the phone lines to debate the merits and pitfalls of kids getting cut during sport tryouts. 

When we talk about the lottery, you usually expect a story on Megabucks, Mass Cash, or Powerball. This time, we're talking about license plates. WBZ's Nichole Davis explains.For more, ask Alexa to play WBZ NewsRadio on #iHeartRadio.

This week on the Codcast, CommonWealth Beacon's Jennifer Smith speaks with Andy Koziol, Director of West-East Rail, and Meredith Slesinger, MassDOT's Rail and Transit Division Administrator. They delve into the challenges and opportunities of expanding intercity passenger rail between Boston, New York, and western Massachusetts.

Investigation continues South of town as we learn the identity of the MassDOT worker who was killed on the job last night. A transformed Presidential race is taking shape this weekend with former President Trump and Vice President Harris trading jabs on the campaign trail. We've been following a local Attorney's efforts fighting a C-D-C ban that stops young puppies from entering the states. Stay in "The Loop" with #iHeartRadio.

Karen Read's lawyers file to have some of the charges against her thrown out. MassDOT says repair work in the now-closed Sumner Tunnel is on track. The thought process behind one dollar oyster days, explained. Stay in "The Loop" with #iHeartRadio.

The Sumner Tunnel restoration project has been going on for some time, and you might remember last summer's closure that lasted nearly two months, causing major delays around Logan Airport and East Boston. MassDOT says they have to shut it down again for a few weeks so crews can get back in there and complete a good chunk of road work without having to worry about traffic or lane closures. Once it's all done, Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver says we'll see the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the project. He joins Nichole this week to share the details for commuters.

Lots of Montague news in this episode! Montague has gotten funds totaling nearly $10 million to demolish the Strathmore Mill complex that lays between the canal and the Connecticut River. The Montague Selectboard saw a presentation from MassDOT on their plans to replace the bridges in the same vicinity in Turners, and the design phase is expected to last till 2027. Casella Waste Management is taking over trash collection in Montague starting in July. Subscribe to the paper: montaguereporter.org/subscribe Comments or Ask the Editor ideas? podcast@montaguereporter.org

Team Common is currently working on our transition to a weekly show. We'll be back this summer with new episodes. In the meantime, here's one from our archives. Earlier this month Governor Maura Healey appointed four new members to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation board of directors. One appointee is researcher, writer and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School Dr. Lisa Iezzoni, who will represent the "consumer voice" for MassDOT. Dr. Iezzoni is the first member of the disability community to serve on the department's board, despite the fact that that about one in four of American adults have some kind of disability. Dr. Iezzoni joins The Common to discuss accessibility across the state's transit systems, a well as her goals for this new position. Greater Boston's daily podcast where news and culture meet.

Howie plays part of the statement from Monica Tibbits-Nutt, the CEO and Secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. She has concocted very creative new ways to raise revenue in the Bay State...that means raising taxes on YOU. Then, Howie shares a sneak peek of his latest episode of Meet the Experts featuring new author Michael Walsh.