News Summary
Applegreen has been awarded a 35-year contract to rebuild and operate 18 highway service plazas in Massachusetts, part of a $750 million improvement project. The initiative will enhance traffic flow, add nearly 500 parking spaces, and is expected to generate substantial revenue for the state. However, the award has sparked a lawsuit from Global Partners LP, alleging lack of transparency in the selection process and potential conflicts of interest.
Boston, Massachusetts – Applegreen, an Irish convenience store company, has been awarded a 35-year contract to rebuild and operate 18 highway service plazas across Massachusetts as part of a $750 million improvement initiative. This decision comes after the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) Capital Programs Committee backed a staff recommendation to award the lease to Applegreen. The board is set to give final approval for the lease on June 18, 2024.
The project encompasses a total of 11 service plazas positioned along the Massachusetts Turnpike. Under the proposal, Applegreen plans to entirely replace buildings at nine service plaza locations while upgrading the remaining nine. Furthermore, the initiative aims to enhance traffic flow at these service stops, adding nearly 500 new parking spaces, which represents a 24% increase in capacity.
According to estimates, Applegreen expects to share an average of $28.4 million in annual revenue with the state, leading to a cumulative total of nearly $1 billion throughout the lease’s duration. MassDOT’s Chief Development Officer expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with Applegreen, highlighting the company’s experience in revitalizing facilities.
Assuming the lease receives final approval, it is set to commence in January 2026 for 14 of the plazas, which include locations on the Turnpike, as well as in Plymouth, Newton, and Lexington. The remaining four plazas located in Beverly, Bridgewater, and Barnstable will transition to Applegreen’s management by June 2027.
However, the award of the contract is not without controversy. Global Partners LP, a Massachusetts-based company, has initiated legal action against MassDOT. The lawsuit centers around allegations of a lack of transparency in the decision-making process that purportedly favored Applegreen. Global Partners had put forth its own renovation plan which included a proposed investment of $650 million, projecting potential revenue generation of $1 billion to $1.5 billion for the state.
The lawsuit raises significant concerns regarding possible conflicts of interest and improper communications involving Applegreen and its partners. As part of this legal challenge, Global Partners is seeking public records from MassDOT related to the selection process, emphasizing the necessity of public trust and transparency in the bidding process.
In response to the lawsuit, Applegreen maintains that its proposal was superior and regards the claims made by Global Partners as a misunderstanding. The lawsuit further contests that certain modifications to the proposal requirements were made to benefit Applegreen’s bid, casting doubt on the impartiality of MassDOT officials during the selection phase.
Despite the ongoing legal challenge, MassDOT has affirmed that it has adhered to all public records requests and insists that the bidding process was both competitive and fair throughout. If successfully implemented, construction of the new or renovated service plazas is anticipated to begin in early 2026, with designs that will reflect various regional aesthetics, including metropolitan, coastal, and western themes.
This ambitious improvement project could significantly alter the experience of travelers using Massachusetts highways, enhancing not only the quality of service plazas but also increasing operational efficiency and revenue potential for the state.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- CBS News: Massachusetts Service Plaza Lawsuit
- Wikipedia: Massachusetts Turnpike
- Boston.com: Rebuilding Highway Plazas
- Google Search: Massachusetts highway service plazas
- Patriot Ledger: Upgrades to Highway Service Plazas
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Massachusetts
- WCVB: New Service Plazas Sneak Peek
- Google News: Massachusetts highway plazas upgrades
- WWLP: Plans to Replace Highway Service Plazas
- Google Scholar: MassDOT service plaza improvements
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
