Massachusetts Legislature Approves Road and Bridge Funding for Cities and Towns

Annual Chapter 90 legislation delivers funding for paving roads, easing traffic, and culvert and bridge improvements

The Massachusetts Legislature passed a bill to distribute $1.2 billion among cities and towns to maintain and repair roads and bridges across the state. Within the grants, State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) was pleased to advocate for the bill which provides significant funding for Franklin and Medway. Franklin will receive a total of $1,784,137.23 while Medway was awarded $797,908.81. 

Massachusetts Legislature Approves Road and Bridge Funding for Cities and Towns

“This legislation provides critical funding that allows for the needed repairs on roadways and infrastructure to ensure safer travels for my constituents and across the state,” said Representative Roy. “I want to thank House Speaker Ron Mariano and Joint Committee on Transportation House Chair James Arciero for their leadership in supporting this important piece of legislation.”

The funding, derived from bonding, will expand the Chapter 90 program and help address transportation related improvements, road and bridge repairs, and the impacts of climate change on local infrastructure.

The bill enacted includes a one-year authorization of $300 million for the Chapter 90 Program, which provides funding to local municipalities for improvements on public roadways. This makes a 50 per cent increase over past funding levels. The bill also appropriates $885 million in additional funding that will help ensure the Commonwealth is able to achieve its long-term transportation goals.

“Providing funding for critical infrastructure projects through investments in the Commonwealth’s public transportation, roads, and bridges is one of the most important responsibilities that we have as members of the Legislature,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I’m proud of the support for local infrastructure repairs that this legislation provides, and of the funding that it allocates for projects that will address congestion hotspots across the Commonwealth. I want to thank Chairman Arciero, Chairman Finn, and all my colleagues in the House, as well as our partners in the Senate, for supporting this vital legislation.”

The one-year $300 million authorization in the Chapter 90 program funding represents a historic 50 per cent increase and includes:

• $200 million to be distributed to all municipalities based on the standard Chapter 90 program distribution formula;

• $100 million to be distributed to all municipalities based solely on road mileage.

Funding for three additional critical programs to support various transportation related projects include: 

• $500 million for the Lifecycle Asset Management Program (LAMP), which supports non-federally aided roads and targets the pavement and bridges that are in the worst condition in the Commonwealth.

• $200 million for a culvert and small bridge repair program for municipalities’ local culverts and small bridges under 20 feet that are in a state of disrepair or require replacement.

• $185 million for capital projects to reduce congestion hotspots, funding that will be available for projects such as shared use paths, intersection improvements, railroad grade crossings, and sidewalks.