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The Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) is applauding the House and Senate’s enactment of a comprehensive transportation bond bill that secures $300 million for the Chapter 90 road and bridge program for the upcoming fiscal year.
The bill, enacted yesterday in the House and today in the Senate, maintains last year’s historic funding level, which ensured that 85% of Massachusetts communities saw a boost of at least 45% in their baseline Chapter 90 funding. The bill would distribute the funding in two ways, with $200 million apportioned based on the historic Chapter 90 formula and $100 million apportioned based on strictly road miles.
“Municipal leaders in every region and corner of Massachusetts are incredibly thankful to the Legislature for advancing this critical bill so swiftly,” said MMA Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine. “Chapter 90 continues to serve as the foundational support for local infrastructure repair. Maintaining this elevated level of funding demonstrates a clear, direct investment by lawmakers in the safety and quality of our roads.
“The MMA extends its sincere thanks to Speaker Ron Mariano, Senate President Karen Spilka, Chairs Aaron Michlewitz, Michael Rodrigues, Michael Finn, John Cronin, James Arciero, Brendan Crighton, and the many partners who helped deliver this achievement,” Chapdelaine added.
Additional key authorizations in the transportation bond bill include: $200 million for transportation improvements that support expanded housing development; $200 million for a new Parkway Resilience Improvement and Safety Modernization investment program; and $500 million for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Bridge and Pavement Lifecycle Asset Management Programs.
The bond bill (H. 5375) now goes to Gov. Maura Healey for her consideration.“We are thrilled to see this bill on the governor’s desk,” Chapdelaine said, “and are grateful for the Healey-Driscoll administration’s leadership in its proposal and partnership on this great bill.”
