MMA focuses on Chapter 90 funding

With the Chapter 90 authorizations from the most recent state transportation bond nearly exhausted, the MMA is urging the governor and Legislature to make new authorizations an early priority in the new legislative session and to increase the authorization amount and the annual allocation.

Chapter 90 authorizations have been stagnant at about $150 million since the mid-1990s (although authorizations were just $100 million for the first five years of this decade). The MMA continues to make the case that the actual needs of cities and towns are much higher than the Chapter 90 authorizations.

On Oct. 1, the MMA sent a survey to all cities and towns asking about their road construction budgets, pavement management systems, local roadway appropriations, and future construction projects. The survey was sent to the chief municipal official as well as the public works director or highway superintendent in each community.

By mid-October, more than half of the state’s municipalities had returned their surveys. The results will help the MMA assess what communities need to maintain their roads and will be a useful tool in making the case for an increase in the authorization amount and the annual allocation.