(BOSTON – 7/27/2023) The Massachusetts Legislature on Thursday passed a bill that includes $375 million in bond authorizations for transportation needs across the state, including $200 million for the state’s Chapter 90 program, which provides municipalities with a reliable funding source for transportation-related improvements, including road and bridge repairs.
“Ensuring that people in every region of Massachusetts have safe and dependable transportation options is fundamental to creating a competitive and equitable Commonwealth,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This funding invests in our infrastructure and transit systems everywhere, allocating much-needed funds to local roads and bridges, regional transit, EV infrastructure, and parts of the MBTA.”
“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 regional infrastructure that this legislation provides, and of the funding that it allocates for the purchasing of electric vehicles by transit authorities.”
“Chapter 90 provides our communities with important resources to improve the local roads, bridges, and infrastructure that we all rely on,” said Senator John Velis (D-Westfield). “I am especially grateful that this legislation also includes additional transportation support based on road mileage and a $25 million fund to rural communities for road and culvert work. These additional measures build upon the Chapter 90 formula investments and will specifically benefit our communities here in Western Massachusetts.”
This legislation also authorizes $175 million in programs that will support various transportation-related projects. This includes $25 million for each of the following:
- the municipal small bridge program;
- the complete streets program;
- a bus transit infrastructure program;
- grants to increase access to mass transit and commuter rail stations;
- grants for municipalities and regional transit authorities to purchase electric vehicles and the infrastructure needed to support them;
- funding for pavement and surface improvements on state and municipal roadways; and
- new funding dedicated to additional transportation support based on road mileage, which is particularly helpful for rural communities.
The bill having passed both the Senate and the House of Representatives, it will now be sent to the Governor for her consideration.
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