Chapter 90 funding would support cities and towns with road and bridge construction, public transit improvement, and EV infrastructure
BOSTON (4/11/2024)—Today, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously approved $375 million in bond authorizations for statewide transportation projects, including the state’s Chapter 90 program, which would create a reliable funding source for local infrastructure investments like roads, bridges, regional transit equipment and infrastructure, bicycle infrastructure, and electric vehicle infrastructure, among other things.
Projects funded by the annual legislation often improve quality of life for residents in every region of the state, and many play a role in environmental mitigation.
Every city and town in the Commonwealth would receive a share of $200 million in funding to be used on maintenance and construction of roads and bridges. $150 million would be allocated equally to six programs targeting specific transportation infrastructure, and $25 million would be allocated to cities and towns through the rural roads program.
“Getting around our communities is a fundamental part of everyone’s day,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Whether the commute takes you on the sidewalk, through a bike lane, across a small bridge, onto your Regional Transit Authority, or to the T, your journey should be quick and safe. By passing today’s legislation, we are empowering our cities and towns with the funding to make improvements to the infrastructure our residents travel on, regardless of where they go and how.”
“Our transportation infrastructure is so vitally important to the state’s economy, and this Chapter 90 funding addresses many outstanding issues in keeping the Commonwealth’s roadways, bridges, and public transportation system in peak operating condition. I’m pleased that over $375 million has been allocated to municipal roadways, local streetscape improvements, and enhancements to our mass transit system,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
“Our local communities maintain 90% of the roads and bridges in the Commonwealth that we all rely on” said Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield). “Chapter 90 provides essential funding to our municipalities so that they can improve the local roads, bridges, and infrastructure. I am particularly grateful for the additional measures in this bill, such as funding for the Rural Road Program, which will benefit our communities here in Western Massachusetts.”
“The annual authorization of the Chapter 90 program provides cities and towns with the state funding they need to most effectively address their transportation infrastructure needs,” said Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. “This $375 million total investment in both Chapter 90 and additional grant opportunities funds tangible improvements across our entire transportation network—including roads, bridges, access to mass transit, and sidewalks.”
Of the $375 million in total authorizations, the legislation would allocate $25 million to each of the following programs that target specific infrastructure areas:
· Municipal Pavement Program, which focuses on the improvement of municipally owned state numbered routes.
· Municipal Small Bridge Program, which provides financial support to cities and towns for small bridge replacement, preservation, and rehabilitation projects.
· Complete Streets Funding Program, which provides funding to municipalities for streets that provide safe and accessible options for all travel modes such as walking, biking, transit, and vehicles.
· Municipal Bus Enhancement Program, which provides grant funding to build out infrastructure related to mass transit by bus.
· Mass Transit Access Grant Program, which provides grants for design and construction improvements to access commuter rail stations or other mass transit stations, such as parking lots, drop-off and pick-up zones, bike storage infrastructure, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
· Municipal/RTA EV Grant Program, which provides grants to Regional Transit Authorities and municipalities for the purchase of electric vehicles and related charging equipment.
A previous version having been passed by the House of Representatives, the legislation now awaits final enactment in each branch, before being sent to the Governor’s desk for her signature.
###