“This Chapter 90 bill will deliver funds straight to municipalities to support projects that we know are critical to their economic development, including bridge and road maintenance, public transit, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, and pedestrian, cyclist, and car safety,” Healey said. “We’re grateful to the Legislature for advancing this essential funding and to our friends in labor who will make sure this work gets done with the high level of quality and safety that they are known for.”
“As a former Mayor, I know firsthand how much cities and towns rely on Chapter 90 funding to ensure that residents and visitors can get around safely and to spur economic activity,” Driscoll said. “Our administration extends our heartfelt appreciation to the local officials who advocated for this funding and will make sure it goes to good use in their communities.”
“Chapter 90 funding is a crucial part of maintaining and expanding safe, reliable, and equitable roadways and infrastructure across our Commonwealth,” Fiandaca said. “Within this funding, we’re able to provide cities and towns with resources to keep their roads and bridges in good repair. We’re also able to invest in multi-modal transportation options through grant programs like MassDOT’s Complete Streets program, which helps communities design streets that are accessible to all, whether residents are walking, biking, or traveling by car. I want to thank Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, and the Legislature for supporting these key transportation investments.”
This funding includes the following:
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- $200 million in one-year funding for MassDOT’s Chapter 90 program, which reimburses cities and towns for construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of municipal roads and bridges
- $25 million to fund a new MassDOT program to reimburse cities and towns for maintenance of municipal roads and bridges, with a formula based on road mileage, population, and whether the municipality is considered rural
- $25 million for MassDOT grants for construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, repair, maintenance, and improvement of pavement and surface conditions on non-federally funded roadways
- $25 million for MassDOT’s Municipal Small Bridges program, which supports engineering, design, construction, reconstruction, and maintenance on non-federally aided bridges
- $25 million for MassDOT’s Complete Streets program, which supports municipalities seeking to design streets accessible to people of all ages, abilities, and modes of travel
- $25 million for MassDOT grants for municipalities to prioritize and enhance bus-focused transit initiatives
- $25 million for MassDOT grants for municipalities to study, design, construct, or improve access at mass transit and commuter rail stations
- $25 million for MassDOT grants supporting municipalities and regional transit authorities transitioning to electric and zero emission vehicles
Healey, Driscoll, and Fiandaca celebrated the bill at events in Lowell and Amesbury. Through this bill, Lowell will be awarded at least $1.87 million. Local elected officials highlighted the Lowell Beaver Street Bridge Project as an example of the kinds of projects that are supported by Chapter 90. MassDOT recently approved $1.6 million for this project, which funds the replacement of the superstructure of the bridge on Beaver Street over Beaver Brook. The bridge has been closed to vehicles since 2019, following an inspection by MassDOT.
In Amesbury, local elected officials highlighted Amesbury’s $437,967 in Chapter 90 funding, showcasing the Carriage Town Connector for the Amesbury Riverwalk as an example of the kinds of projects supported by Chapter 90. MassDOT recently approved $138,000 for this project, which will connect the Amesbury Riverwalk, a biking and walking trail, to trails in Salisbury and Newburyport. This effort is part of the Coastal Trail Network, which has also received funding support from the state’s Mass Trails grant program.
