BOSTON, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — From the office of Senator Jo Comerford:
Senate authorizes $200 million for maintenance and construction of roads and bridges: In addition to $25 million for rural roads program
(BOSTON, MA) – On Thursday, April 11, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously approved $375 million in bond authorizations for statewide transportation projects. These authorizations include $200 million in funding for the state’s Chapter 90 program and, for the second year in a row, $25 million for cities and towns through the rural roads program.
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 distributed according to the Chapter 90 formula. The $25 million for rural roads will only be available to rural municipalities.
“There is an age-old understanding that the Chapter 90 formula, based on population, road miles, and economic activity, has disproportionately shorted western and north central Massachusetts municipalities,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “I am proud to join rural legislators and municipal leaders to push hard and consistently for formulas based primarily on road mileage. I am grateful to Senator Brendan Crighton, Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, and Senate President Karen Spilka for hearing us.”
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.