MassDOT Announces Safe Streets Video Contest

08:24AM / Saturday, September 12, 2026Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON?— The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) launched its 13th annual Safe Streets Smart Trips High School Video Contest, inviting students across Massachusetts to use their creativity to help promote safer travel on the state's roads.

This year, students are being asked to create a 30- to 60-second video focused on safe riding behaviors for electric micromobility devices, including e-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards. Submissions are due by 11 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.

"Under the leadership of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, safety is a shared responsibility and engaging the next generation of drivers is one of the most important ways we can build a culture of safety on our roads," said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng. "This safety video contest gives young people an opportunity to use their creativity and their voices to remind all of us that the choices we make behind the wheel can have a lasting impact. We are proud to support efforts that empower young people to be leaders in roadway safety and help make state roads safer for everyone."

The contest is an initiative of the Massachusetts Strategic Highway Safety Plan and is open to all Massachusetts public high school students. Students will compete in two categories: Freshman/Sophomore and Junior/Senior.

A MassDOT panel will select a grand prize, runner-up and honorable mention in each category. Winning videos will be shown on Tuesday, OCt. 27, at MassDOT's annual Moving Together active transportation conference.

Grand prize winners will receive $500 Amazon gift cards, runners-up will receive $300 Amazon gift cards and honorable mention winners will receive $100 Amazon gift cards. Selected videos may also be featured in future MassDOT roadway safety campaigns.

More information about the Safe Streets Smart Trips High School Video Contest, including contest guidelines and submission information, is available at Mass.gov/roadway-safety-video.

Past winning videos are available on the Roadway Safety Video Contest Results page and MassDOT's YouTube channel:?Mass.gov/roadway-safety-video.?

Tags: MassDOT,

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

Save & Earn with Greylock

3.30% APY 6-month certificate. Click to learn more! Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

State Wins $130M to Advance West-East Rail

03:03PM / Saturday, October 17, 2026

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Some $130 million in federal monies is being invested into passenger rail along the so-called Knowledge Corridor and for laying the groundwork to establish West-East Rail from Albany, N.Y., to Boston.

The funding for the Springfield Hub Modernization Project was announced on Friday by Gov. Maura Healey, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Reps. Richard Neal and James McGovern.

The project is part of the state's Compass Rail vision, centered on Springfield Union Station and building on existing Amtrak Vermonter, Hartford Line and Valley Flyer service.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation was awarded the funding through the Federal Railroad Administration's Fiscal Years 2025-2026 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant program to support modernization of the rail infrastructure around Springfield Union Station.

"This is a major win for Western Massachusetts and a big step forward for West-East Rail," said Healey in a statement. "This $130 million investment in Springfield will help us improve transportation, reduce congestion and connect more communities to jobs, housing and economic opportunity. I'm grateful to Senators Markey and Warren, Congressmen Neal and McGovern, and all of our partners for helping us secure this critical funding and move us closer to expanded passenger rail service across Massachusetts."

The project will upgrade tracks, signals and other infrastructure to address a major rail bottleneck, reduce conflicts between freight and passenger trains, and allow more efficient operations and expanded rail service. This work is expected to improve on-time performance, reduce delays and provide more schedule flexibility for Amtrak Vermonter and Valley Flyer passengers. The project will also create capacity for future passenger rail service while reducing unnecessary train idling, emissions and operating costs.

"Building West-East rail is a once-in a-lifetime investment to connect Massachusetts' communities and our regional economies like never before. It will mean lower costs, less congestion, and access to opportunity for families across the state," said Markey. "I'm proud to have secured this $130 million in federal funding alongside Governor Healey, Senator Warren, Congressman Neal and Congressman McGovern, bringing our total federal investment to more than $280 million to date, which will build the track to this more affordable, cleaner, better connected future."

View Full Story