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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2228 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2391
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Paul R. Feeney
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act to remediate and reopen the visitor information center on I-95 in Northern Bristol County
for traveler safety and convenience and to promote regional tourism and economic development.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Paul R. FeeneyBristol and Norfolk 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2228 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2391
By Mr. Feeney, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2391) of Paul R. Feeney for
legislation to remediate and reopen the visitor information center on I-95 in Northern Bristol
County for traveler safety and convenience and to promote regional tourism and economic
development. Transportation.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 2235 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act to remediate and reopen the visitor information center on I-95 in Northern Bristol County
for traveler safety and convenience and to promote regional tourism and economic development.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the highway
2division of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall, within 90 days of the passage
3of this act, convene a working group of appropriate departmental staff to analyze and make
4recommendations on the reopening of the tourist information center located on interstate
5highway route 95 north in the town of Mansfield and converting the rest area facility to a
6regional visitor information center for the purposes of promoting local and regional businesses
7and tourist destinations.
8 SECTION 2. The working group shall study, analyze and create recommendations
9regarding: (i) removal of surplus highway material, vehicles, signage and supplies impeding the 2 of 2
10full use of the facility and parking lot; (ii) removal of roadway debris and litter on the site; (iii)
11plans to redesign, rehabilitate and reconstruct the existing structure and associated funding needs
12to achieve a state of good repair; (iv) safety improvements; (v) accessibility upgrades; (vi)
13restroom reconstruction; (vii) a schedule of regular, routine landscaping; (viii) roadway paving;
14(ix) installation of electric vehicle charging stations; (x) regular staffing of the facility; (xi)
15allowable activities under 23 USC 111(a), such as commercial advertising and media displays,
16items designed to promote tourism, tickets for events or attractions, travel-related information
17and lottery machines; (xii) a system of measuring guests and car counts who enter and exit the
18facility; (xiii) additional allowable uses, activities or stipulations; (xiv) a draft memorandum of
19understanding for the purpose of contracting with the regional tourism council, chambers of
20commerce or other entities to reopen the facility as a working visitor information center; and (xv)
21projected costs associated with achieving a state of good repair at the facility.
22 SECTION 3. The working group’s findings shall be filed with the clerks of the house of
23representatives and the senate not later than June 1, 2026.