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NATICK – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced $5.3 million in funding for the fifth round of funding from the Baker-Polito Administration’s Shared Winter Streets and Spaces program.
The program, which was launched on November 10, provides technical and funding assistance to help Massachusetts cities and towns conceive, design, and implement tactical changes to curbs, streets, and parking areas in support of public health, safe mobility, and renewed commerce, with a special focus on the challenges of winter.
The awards made today, April 22, will provide funding to 36 municipalities and two public transit authorities for 40 projects.
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Natick received $78,750 to install street furniture, decorative lighting, and public art for permanent outdoor shared spaces on public roadways in Natick Center to make the area more welcoming for visitors traveling by foot, bike, and Commuter Rail.
Of the awarded municipalities, 50% are designated Environmental Justice communities and 18% are considered high-risk for COVID infections.
A total of 58% of today’s winners have never received a Shared Streets and Spaces award before.
The Shared Winter Streets and Spaces program provides grants as small as $5,000 and as large as $500,000 for municipalities and transit authorities quickly launch changes for safer walking, biking, public transit, recreation, commerce, and civic activities. These improvements can be intentionally temporary or can be pilots of potentially permanent changes. MassDOT is particularly focused on projects that respond to the current public health crisis and provide safe mobility for children, for elders, to public transportation, and to open space and parks.
Editor’s Note: Stock photo from Pixabay
MassBay Community College 
J And Company