Massachusetts.

MASSACHUSETTS

Contractors are urging state senators to act swiftly on a $6 billion transportation bond bill for state infrastructure improvements.

The bill, which is under consideration and expected to be approved by the Senate, will allow the sale of state-hacked bonds for bridge, road, and tunnel repairs.

But contractors in Massachusetts said that unless the legislators move quickly, the repairs will not be completed this summer.

The bill, currently in the Ways and Means Committee, is expected to go through the full Senate by Aug. 1.

Differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill then will have to be resolved before the bill is sent to Gov. William F. Weld.

The completion of several large projects in the state depend on the passage of the legislation. Work has almost stopped on a $28 million project on Route 91 in Springfield, and repair work on the East Milton Square bridge will commence only after the bond bill is approved.

-- Patrick M. Fitzgibbons, Boston

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