Good Riddance to the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority

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The infamous Pilgrim hat logo of the MTA Credit: Wikipedia user NE2

This Thursday will see the final meeting of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Board. The authority will wrap up operations on November 1, when it will merge with the MBTA and the State Highway Department to form a single Department of Transportation. The much-maligned Authority needed a state bailout this year, which gave the Patrick administration the political momentum to abolish the the organization.

In 1952, The Turnpike Authority began to construct a 123-mile expressway from Stockbridge (on the New York Line) to Weston (just outside of Boston).  The road was finished in 1956 and the tolls were to be removed by the early 1970’s. However, a variety of factors led to the continued existence of tolls, including a major widening of the highway as well as an extension into Boston.  Later in the early 1990’s the Authority would be given control of the Big Dig project.

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The old elevated Central Artery at mid day. The artery was gridlocked for most of the time. Credit Wikipedia User ArnoldReinhold

The Big Dig was a major project designed to improve traffic flows through downtown and reunite a city divided by an ugly, rusting green hulk of steel that separated downtown from the North end and the Waterfront.  This project was completed in 2003 and in the end cost double the original estimate.  However, as the project came to a close in the early 2000’s, evidence of severe mismanagement on the part of the Turnpike Authority and its subcontractors came to light. In an effort to restore public trust in the organization, several governors attempted to remove members of the board, only to find out that they had an uphill legal battle to contend with.

When, The Turnpike Authority comes to end on November 1st, a sad chapter of Massachusetts politics will go with it. The State will have to pay billions in interest payments over the coming years to cover the cost overruns incurred due to the failures of the Turnpike Authority.  The story of the turnpike is a prime example of Bay State politics, corruption, patronage, and excessive spending. It will not be missed.

About Chuck Giroux

Chuck Giroux (CAS '11) is a conservative political columnist for the Quad. Hailing from Marlborough, Massachusetts, he is one of Mrs. Thatcher's most loyal supporters.

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