The House and Senate today approved a compromise Chapter 90 bond bill that includes a $200 million authorization for the local road and bridge program for fiscal 2024, as well as $175 million for seven transportation-related grant programs.

The bill features a $25 million authorization for a new supplemental municipal road program, the formula for which would be calculated based on road miles, population, and whether a municipality is considered rural (population below 10,000 and population density below 500 people per square mile).

The bill would also authorize $25 million for each the following multi-year transportation-related accounts:
Municipal Pavement Program
Municipal Small Bridge Program
Complete Streets Funding Program
• Municipal grants for infrastructure focused on the enhancement of mass transit by bus
• Funding for the study, design, construction or improvements that increase access to mass transit and commuter rail stations
• Grants to municipalities and regional transit authorities to support fleet electrification

The bill now awaits the governor’s signature. A bill outlining bond terms will also need to be enacted before the Massachusetts Department of Transportation can issue reimbursements.

An additional $100 million in supplemental municipal road and bridge funding is included in the Senate’s fiscal 2024 state budget bill, half of which would be allocated using the Chapter 90 formula, with the other half allocated using a formula focused on road miles. The House and Senate fiscal 2024 budget bills await reconciliation.

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