BOSTON — Millions of dollars for waterfront upgrades are in the works for coastal communities from Gloucester to Salisbury as part of a $1.7 billion plan for infrastructure improvements throughout the state.

Lawmakers representing Cape Ann and the rest of the North Shore and Merrimack Valley piled on nearly a dozen projects for shoreline protection, parks, harbors and watersheds to a capital spending plan approved by the House of Representatives this week.

The bill, however, must still be approved by the Senate and Gov. Deval Patrick. And Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr said he plans to add several projects including $10 million for a matching loan program that would help pay for redevelopment in designated ports such as Gloucester.

Rep. Ann Margaret Ferrante, D-Gloucester, added a similar amendment to the House bill, but the loan program there was whittled down to $7 million.

Read the full story at Gloucester Times>>