Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
On July 14, the Senate passed an amended $10.84 billion version of an infrastructure bond bill known as MassTRAC.
In addition to an abundance of earmarks for specific municipalities, the Senate’s version of the bill would increase, to $275 million, the authorization to support the establishment of an east-west passenger rail line.
Two key proposals from the House bill remain in the Senate’s version:
• The creation of a “Mobility Pricing Commission” to study and recommend action related to equitable public transportation pricing, roadway pricing, and congestion pricing
• A reduction of reporting requirements for Transportation Infrastructure Enhancement Trust Fund distributions of less than $25,000
The Senate bill includes a proposal to require the MBTA and authorize regional transit authorities to create free and reduced-fare programs. The bill proposes a definition and classifications for electric bicycles, with basic regulations for their use while preserving municipal authority to regulate use on local paths.
The MMA has been supporting MassTRAC since the governor filed it on March 17. The bill, originally set at $9.7 billion, would support investments in the Commonwealth’s roads, bridges, railways, transit agencies and environmental infrastructure.
The MMA testified in support at hearings held by the Joint Committee on Transportation and the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures, and State Assets; and sent a letter of support to the Senate on July 14.
The MMA has expressed support for the focus of the MassTRAC legislation — to provide authorizations necessary to ensure that Massachusetts is well-positioned to receive formula and discretionary aid from the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — while also voicing support for funding to maintain non-federally funded roads, investments in key municipal grant programs, and targeted investments in municipal projects.
An Act Relative to Massachusetts’s Transportation Resources and Climate (MassTRAC) would invest in existing state programs and make authorizations for required state matches to compete for and capitalize on investment opportunities provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The BIL provides discretionary funding through formula-based allocations and more than $110 billion in competitive grants to be overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation and dispersed over five years.
The Baker-Polito administration states that MassTRAC’s spending would be used to modernize the state’s transportation system, with a focus on transportation network improvements and infrastructure geared toward climate change mitigation, resiliency, equity and safety for all users, particularly cyclists and pedestrians. Investments would include improvements to non-interstate highways; funding for several municipal grant programs, including Complete Streets, the Municipal Small Bridge Program, the Municipal Pavement Program, and Shared Streets and Spaces; modernization of the MBTA; support for regional transit authorities; and grants for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
A House-Senate conference committee has been appointed to reconcile differences between the bills approved in the Senate and the House. With a July 31 deadline, the committee is expected to reach agreement within the next two weeks.
Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the funding amount for an east-west passenger rail line.