Gov. files 4-year Ch. 90 bill with $300M per year

Speaking to local leaders from across Massachusetts at the MMA’s Connect 351 conference on Jan. 23, Gov. Maura Healey announced that she was filing a four-year Chapter 90 bond bill that day that would provide a total of $1.2 billion for the municipal road and bridge maintenance program.

The proposed $300 million per year for base Chapter 90 funding would match last year’s level, which was a 50% increase over previous years.

The MMA has long advocated for a multi-year Chapter 90 authorization, paired with a substantial funding increase, to help municipalities budget more effectively and efficiently. A multi-year authorization enables communities to program longer-term projects and provides much-needed stability amid uncertain economic conditions.

Last year at Connect 351, the governor announced that she was filing a bond bill with $1.5 billion for Chapter 90 over five years. The Legislature ultimately authorized a one-year total of $300 million for Chapter 90 in fiscal 2026, with $200 million distributed through the traditional Chapter 90 formula and $100 million allocated based solely on road miles.

In addition, a supplemental budget provided a one-time allocation of $80 million for Chapter 90 in fiscal 2026.

Also at Connect 351, Healey announced the launch of the Funding for Accelerated Infrastructure Repair (FAIR) program to fund local transportation infrastructure projects. Supported by revenue from the Fair Share amendment (an income surtax on earnings above $1 million), the new program would allocate $75 million to help municipalities address a significant backlog of local bridges in urgent need of repair.

The governor’s commitment to Chapter 90 funding is part of her broader transportation funding plan, which is aimed at addressing long-standing infrastructure needs statewide. Healey said the goals are to improve roads, reduce traffic, make bridges safer, and ensure a transit system that works in every region.

The governor’s Chapter 90 bill is expected to be referred to the Joint Committee on Transportation, which would review the proposal and hold a public hearing in the weeks ahead.