(BOSTON 4/12/2024) – Yesterday, 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.

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. Many projects funded by this annual legislation play a role in environmental mitigation.

“Good transportation infrastructure is going to be key to Massachusetts’ continued growth and success,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “This funding will go toward fixing sidewalks, building bridges, filling potholes, expanding public transit, and improving road safety for users of all transportation types. I’m pleased to have joined my colleagues in unanimous support for this bill and I look forward to seeing these dollars going toward infrastructure improvements in each of our communities.”

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 Governor Healey’s desk for her signature.

###