Updated (9 a.m. June 15) — This article has been updated to include comments from state Senator Mark Montigny.

BOSTON — The Baker-Polito Administration has unveiled a $2.65 billion capital plan for the next fiscal year that includes more than $36 million in funding for various SouthCoast projects alongside nearly $300 million for the SouthCoast railway connection.

The capital plan for Fiscal Year 2022 includes $298.7 million in funding for the first phase of the South Coast Rail project, which will provide regular commuter service between Boston and Taunton, Fall River, and New Bedford.

Tree clearing and construction have already started along some railroad right-of-ways ahead of the project.

A $24 million project to renovate the UMass Dartmouth Science and Engineering building is also funded in the plan. The project will repair and upgrade the building and its HVAC, fire alarm, and sprinkler systems as well as improve accessibility.

The final phase of a dredging project for New Bedford's harbor will also receive funding in FY22, to the tune of $9.7 million.

According to the plan, the project aims to remove contaminated material and increase access to waterfront businesses and properties.

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UMass Amherst's Wareham-based cranberry research station will also see $2.87 million in improvements, and the Bristol County Sheriff's Department in Dartmouth will be getting a $350,000 roof replacement.

State Senator for New Bedford Mark Montigny commented, “These state investments will further strengthen our robust working waterfront and provide local students with the classroom and lab space they need and deserve."

The state funding will add to the more than $100 billion in federal funding granted to Massachusetts during the coronavirus pandemic emergency, the Baker-Polito Administration noted in a press release.

According to the administration, the majority of federal funds have gone directly to businesses, people, non-profits, and unemployment insurance in the Commonwealth.

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