BOSTON – The Massachusetts Senate passed legislation written by Senator Brian A. Joyce that authorizes the town to make much needed parking, traffic and aesthetic improvements to the overpass spawning Route 93 in East Milton, along with $1 million in state funds to pay for the improvements. The changes have been long sought by East Milton business owners and by the Milton Chamber of Commerce. Joyce’s legislation would require that the improvements to the deck, named for former Representative M. Joseph Manning, result in not less than 40 percent open, recreational, or green space.

Additional provisions of the bill that were authored by Senator Joyce that will benefit Milton include allowing the state to transfer all or some of the state highway yard on Granite Avenue to the town for possible development to generate commercial tax revenue for the town, along with $2.7 million for improvements to Blue Hills Parkway and Brush Hill Road.

The four measures were part of the larger Transportation Bond Bill which moved through the Senate Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets that Joyce chairs earlier this month.

“These projects will benefit both the business owners and residents of Milton,” said Joyce. “The traffic, parking and aesthetic improvements to East Milton Square will provide an economic boost for the area’s small businesses and greater convenience for residents. The state highway department yard on Granite Avenue is a prime and underutilized property that could provide commercial tax dollars to the town through development and the additional investment in Blue Hills Parkway will enable continued beautification, safety and structural improvements to that scenic parkway.”

The Senate Transportation Bond Bill will now be reconciled with the version passed by the House that did not contain these provisions by a conference committee comprised of three Representatives and three Senators, including Senator Joyce.