MMA seeks responses to Chapter 90 survey

The MMA’s biennial Chapter 90 Local Road Funding Survey has been sent out to chief municipal officials and public works and highway department officials in all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns.

The survey asks communities what it would cost to keep their local roads in a state of good repair.

Securing adequate funding for the Chapter 90 local road and bridge program is a top priority for the MMA and municipal leaders across the Commonwealth. As the MMA looks to a new legislative session beginning in January, it is preparing a campaign to increase annual Chapter 90 authorizations in fiscal 2022 and beyond to help cities and towns maintain safe local roads and build strong local economies.

As the MMA makes its case to legislators and the public, accurate and up-to-date information is essential to demonstrate the resources needed to maintain local road infrastructure. Responses to previous Chapter 90 surveys have been crucial in highlighting the condition of local roads and how much funding is needed to properly maintain them. The survey has allowed the MMA and local officials to have a concrete figure to use when advocating for more funding.

More than 70% of communities responded to the 2018 survey, and the MMA hopes to hear back from even more municipalities this year.

Local officials are urged to return completed surveys as soon as possible. The MMA has emailed a link to the survey to chief municipal officials and public works and highway department officials.