Unexpended WRAP funding to be paid to communities

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced on June 2 that the Winter Recovery Assistance Program has been modified to accommodate cities and towns that have had difficulty spending their apportionments by the June 30 deadline.

The MassDOT said any unexpended WRAP allocations will be released to municipalities via a one-time up-front payment, which can be used on WRAP-eligible projects.

Cities and towns no longer need to submit reimbursement requests, but they still must complete a WRAP Project Report Form for each project that uses WRAP funds.

Payments will be made electronically by mid-July via the account already established for MassDOT reimbursements. No action is required to initiate payment.

Cities and towns may contact their district state aid engineer with any questions.

Last spring, the state appropriated $100 million in supplemental municipal road and bridge funding through the WRAP program to be spent during fiscal 2023, which ends on June 30. Intended to support communities with transportation infrastructure repairs caused by harsh winter weather, WRAP was established as a reimbursement program and apportioned based on road miles.

The MassDOT reports that many cities and towns have not been able to spend their apportionment by the end of the fiscal year due to material delays, labor shortages and a busy construction season.

WRAP funding may be used for the rehabilitation, reconstruction, resurfacing or preservation of local roads, sidewalks, bike lanes and other pathways, as well as road striping or painting, and repair or replacement of traffic control devices, signage, guardrails and storm grates.