(BOSTON – 03/30/2023) The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday passed a bill that includes $350 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.
“This legislation will maintain and improve our state’s infrastructure, ensure that residents have safe and reliable transportation options, and support sustainable, regionally equitable economic development in communities across the Commonwealth,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland).
“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 $150 million in programs that will assist municipalities with 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;
- and new funding dedicated to additional transportation support based on road mileage, which is particularly helpful for rural communities.
A different version having previously been passed in the House of Representatives, the two chambers will now reconcile differences before sending the bill to the Governor’s desk.
###