MassDOT says it is accepting Ch. 90 project requests for FY26

In an effort to help communities complete road and bridge maintenance projects this construction season, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced on July 29 that it will begin to accept, review and approve project requests from municipalities in advance of the signing of a transportation bond bill.

The bond bill proposes an historic 50% increase to base Chapter 90 funding, elevating the program to $300 million for fiscal 2026. Of this funding, $200 million would be distributed based on the Chapter 90 traditional formula and $100 million based on road miles.

Communities will also receive an additional $80 million appropriation that was included in a recently signed fiscal 2025 surplus surtax supplement budget, which calls for half of that appropriation to be distributed based on the Chapter 90 formula and half based on road miles.

MassDOT’s Chapter 90 apportionments webpage has been updated to include community distributions for the entire $380 million.

Reimbursements for approved projects using fiscal 2026 funding will not be processed, however, until both the transportation bond bill and a forthcoming bond terms bill have been approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor, according to MassDOT.

The transportation bond bill also proposes authorizations for initiatives overseen by MassDOT, including $200 million for a culvert and small bridge program, $500 million for MassDOT bridge and pavement asset management, and $185 million for congestion and safety initiatives.