Trump administration cuts $327 million grant for Allston I-90 project

The Trump administration has cut a $327 million grant for the Allston Multimodal Project, which would straighten the Massachusetts Turnpike, create a new commuter rail station, and provide more space for development and outdoor recreation along the Charles River.

“It’s probably the best public construction project in New England because of benefits to the community for access to the river, protected bike lanes, and a whole new neighborhood,” Tom Ryan, Senior Advisor on Policy, Government and Community Affairs at the transportation non-profit A Better City, told Boston.com.

The funding was rescinded after President Donald Trump signed his One Big Beautiful Bill Act, in which Section 60019 eliminated the Neighborhood Access and Equity Program. 

The program was established under then president Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act in 2022 to fund projects that would improve connectivity in communities isolated by infrastructure. 

Massachusetts will retain $8 million of funding from the grant because it was already “obligated,” or scheduled to be used.

Transportation advocates like Ryan said the funding cut is “discouraging,” but hope isn’t lost. 

“You feel like you’re making such progress, and then having the money pulled away is a real discouraging moment. But there’s so much potential here,” he said. “There’s so many supporters of the project, and losing this grant does not take that away.”

The $327 million federal grant accounted for about 17% of the project’s total existing budget of $1.9 billion, according to Ryan. The project is also being funded by a federal TIFIA loan (totaling $470 million) and local sources, including: Boston University and Harvard ($100 million), the City of Boston ($100 million), state toll revenue ($200 million), and even the Millionaire’s Tax ($615 million).

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation received confirmation of the termination late on July 18, prompting ire from Gov. Maura Healey.

“Why would any President of the United States oppose a project that will improve transportation for residents and visitors alike, create thousands of construction jobs, support local businesses and create space for new housing? We all benefit from that,” Healey said in a statement.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will conduct a strategic review of the project, analyzing both project costs and consulting with an outside engineering firm to assess the project, Transportation Secretary & CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt said in the statement.

“There’s still time to do a new project finance plan for this project without jeopardizing the project. I’m very confident there are multiple options on how to create a new finance plan that works for everyone,” Ryan said.

Annie Jonas is a Community writer at Boston.com. She was previously a local editor at Patch and a freelancer at the Financial Times.