Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
The Honorable James Arciero, House Chair
The Honorable Brendan Crighton, Senate Chair
Joint Committee on Transportation
State House, Boston
Delivered electronically
Dear Chair Arciero, Chair Crighton, and Distinguished Members of the Committee,
On behalf of all 351 cities and towns in our Commonwealth, we write to offer our strong support for H. 4987, An Act financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. During increasingly uncertain times, the resources and predictability proposed by this legislation would further empower cities and towns to serve as a beacon of stability for residents.
H. 4987 proposes maintaining last year’s 50% increase to base Chapter 90 funding, establishing a four-year authorization, and advancing several state-level transportation initiatives. This bill builds off of last year’s historic legislation, which helped cities and towns make meaningful progress in addressing road infrastructure needs. Continuing this increased investment would further equip municipalities with the resources to advance critical repair work in their communities.
The Chapter 90 program has long been a vital source of funding for maintaining the more than 30,000 miles of roads and bridges under municipal control. With property taxes tightly capped and limited options to raise local revenue, communities cannot, on their own, bring all local infrastructure into a state of good repair. The Chapter 90 program strategically spreads transportation revenues to every corner of the Commonwealth, and lets taxpayers know that their local needs are recognized. Further, cities and towns face such a backlog of need that additional investments are likely to result immediately in visible and necessary repair projects on local roads across Massachusetts.
At a time when shifting federal policies are creating uncertainty and unpredictable impacts at the local level, reaffirming and strengthening proven state programs like Chapter 90 is a strategic step that will help Massachusetts communities remain resilient and weather these challenges.
H. 4987 is needed now more than ever. Over the next four years of this proposed authorization, climate change and an expanded freeze-thaw cycle will place significant strain on local infrastructure. More frequent and severe weather events are shortening the infrastructure lifespans and increasing long-term maintenance costs. At the same time, efforts that are being taken to expand clean energy projects will increase activity within public rights of way. This will inevitably impact roadway construction and maintenance at the local level.
Simultaneously, public safety must remain a top priority. The Strategic Highway Safety Plan, which serves as our roadmap for improving roadway safety, calls for expanded resources for municipalities. We believe that increasing investment in the Chapter 90 program remains the most effective way to advance municipal roadway safety by enabling communities to move forward with work on urgently needed projects. Local officials are best positioned to identify and prioritize the infrastructure improvements that will deliver the most immediate benefits to their residents.
Massachusetts roads and bridges are integral to our statewide transportation system. They enable the safe movements of goods and people and connect residents to work, school, and more. Our roads, bridges, sidewalks, and culverts form the essential infrastructure that move forward every part of our daily lives.
We greatly appreciate your consideration and we respectfully encourage the Committee to favorably report out Governor Healey’s proposal to continue the expanded funding for the Chapter 90 program, provide stability to cities and towns through a multi-year authorization, and further invest in critical bridge and culvert infrastructure. If you have any questions or need more information, please do not hesitate to have your office contact me or MMA Legislative Analyst Violet Gehr at [email protected].
Thank you for your thoughtful attention to this important legislation and for your dedication and support for the cities and towns of Massachusetts.
Sincerely,
Adam Chapdelaine
MMA Executive Director and CEO