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Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
The Joint Committee on Transportation yesterday released a bond bill that would authorize $300 million for the Chapter 90 local road and bridge program for fiscal 2026, a 50% increase over previous years.
The bill (H. 4257) would distribute $200 million based on the traditional Chapter 90 formula and $100 million based on road miles only.
The committee’s proposal is a one-year authorization, whereas the governor had previously proposed $300 million per year for five years.
The committee’s nearly $1.2 billion borrowing bill would also authorize $200 million for a culvert and small bridge program overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, along with $500 million for a MassDOT bridge and pavement asset management program and $185 million for congestion and safety initiatives.
The MMA has long been advocating for increasing the base Chapter 90 funding level, as the program’s buying power has been eroded by inflation. The governor’s Chapter 90 Advisory Group reported that an annual appropriation of $404.6 million would be needed to offset the impact of inflation since 2012.
“The MMA and local leaders across the state are deeply grateful that the governor and legislators appreciate the importance of this program to quality of life and economic development in our communities,” said MMA Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine. “Chapter 90 is a program that benefits all 351 cities and towns in the state, and a 50% increase in funding would have a substantial and meaningful impact in all corners of the Commonwealth.”
With the Transportation Committee’s proposal, 85% of municipalities would receive at least a 45% increase over their annual apportionment in the past several years. This funding boost would provide meaningful support and stability to cities and towns, as communities continue to face unpredictable impacts from federal policy actions.
Many municipalities are also set to receive additional support for roads and bridges through the fiscal 2025 surplus surtax supplemental budget that was signed by the governor on June 24, which allocates Fair Share surtax revenues for a variety of transportation and education initiatives. Included is $7 million for a pilot grant program for unpaved roads, $80 million for the Chapter 90 program, and $16.5 million for culverts and small bridges.
The Legislature has provided supplemental funding for Chapter 90 using Fair Share surtax revenues in recent years, but H. 4257 would be an important boost to the foundational Chapter 90 authorization.
The governor’s proposed transportation bond bill was based on recommendations put forward by a Transportation Funding Task Force and the Chapter 90 Advisory Group. The governor proposed a total of $1.5 billion for the Chapter 90 reimbursement program ($300 million per year for five years).
The updated bond bill (H. 4257) now moves to the Joint Committee on Bonding and Capital Expenditures, which is scheduled to hold a hearing on July 21.