Local Bottleneck Reduction Program announces funding opportunity

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is accepting applications for the Local Bottleneck Reduction Program through June 30 via the Massachusetts Project Intake Tool, known as MaPIT.

All cities and towns are eligible to apply for up to $500,000 in grant funding per fiscal year.

The competitive grant program assists with innovative solutions to improve traffic flow, ease congestion, and promote safety on local roadway intersections. Grant recipients receive scope-of-work and design services from MassDOT-led consultants, in addition to reimbursement for the accrued construction costs of the locally implemented projects, up to the grant award value.

Municipalities may propose a specific treatment, project type or location that would benefit from an eligible project type. Grant approvals are primarily based on congestion and delay metrics collected from INRIX for the MassDOT. Data from 2020 will not be used, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on traffic patterns.

Proposed locations where congestion has negative impacts on the state highway system will also receive priority. Locations in Environmental Justice Communities, within one mile of a school, or on fixed transit routes will also be given additional consideration.

Examples of eligible projects include signal equipment improvements and infrastructure or reconstruction projects, such as:
• Coordination of multiple traffic signals
• Pedestrian or bicyclist signal improvements
• Traffic signal retiming and controller and cabinet upgrades
• Traffic Signal Priority equipment (with endorsement from transit agency)
• Vehicle detection installation, repairs or replacement
• Access management at an intersection to reduce vehicular conflicts
• Auxiliary lanes or acceleration lanes where right-of-way is available
• Changing or adding signage to provide improved directional navigation to motorists
• Curb modifications to modify intersection geometry
• Dedicated bus-only or bus/bike-only lanes where transit/bicycle demand warrants
• Innovative at-grade intersection reconfigurations to improve traffic flow
• New or improved transit stop access
• Pedestrian crossing improvements such as curb extensions or refuge islands
• Restriping of traffic lanes to address poor lane balance including addition of dedicated bicycle lanes
• Turn and/or through lanes where right-of-way is available

Ineligible projects and costs include:
• Costs related to public notice, engagement, easements and other land takings
• Associated police details and traffic control
• Projects that negatively impact transit services, inhibit or remove pedestrian or bicycle facilities
• Roadway widening/lane configuration changes where right-of-way is not available

Click here for application information.

Questions about the program may be sent to Localbottleneckgrants@dot.state.ma.us.