The Massachusetts House of Representatives today passed a bill that includes $1.2 billion in bonding for an expanded Chapter 90 Program, and for transportation programs that will address regional needs and the impacts of climate change on local infrastructure. The Chapter 90 Program provides municipalities with a funding source for transportation-related improvements, including road and bridge repairs. The bill includes a one-year authorization of $300 million for the Chapter 90 Program, a 50 percent increase over past funding levels. The bill also appropriates $885 million in funding for three critical programs, funding that will help to ensure that the Commonwealth is able to achieve its long-term transportation goals

“Providing funding for critical infrastructure projects through investments in the Commonwealth’s public transportation, roads, and bridges is one of the most important responsibilities that we have as members of the Legislature,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I’m proud of the support for local infrastructure repairs that this legislation provides, and of the funding that it allocates for projects that will address congestion hotspots across the Commonwealth. I want to thank Chairman Arciero, Chairman Finn, and all my colleagues in the House for supporting this vital legislation.”

“The federal funding uncertainty from Washington, D.C is very real. The House is proceeding with caution while balancing the significant transportation needs of our cities and towns,” said Representative James Arciero (D-Westford), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. “I want to thank House Speaker Mariano and Chairman Aaron Michlewitz for their leadership. This bill leverages the Legislature’s increased appropriations to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund. These strategic appropriations expanded our borrowing capacity to allow for additional transportation funding for cities and towns.”

“This legislation strikes a balance between increasing funding for municipal roadways and transportation-related projects while maintaining outstanding fiscal responsibility,” said Representative Michael Finn (D-West Springfield), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. “Our decision to continue giving the Governor the authority to utilize either general or special obligation bonds enables us to capitalize on competitive interest rates, save money long term, and preserve general obligation bond capacity for the Commonwealth’s most pressing needs.”

The legislation authorizes $1.2 billion in bonding for the Chapter 90 Program, and for three additional programs as well.

The one-year authorization in Chapter 90 Program funding represents a historic 50 percent increase and includes:

• $200 million to be distributed to all municipalities based on the standard Chapter 90 Program distribution formula.
• $100 million will be distributed to all municipalities based solely on road mileage.

Additional programs to support various transportation-related projects include:

• $500 million for the Lifecycle Asset Management Program (LAMP), which supports non-federally aided roads and targets the pavement and bridges that are in the worst condition in the Commonwealth.
• $200 million for a culvert and small bridge repair program to aid municipalities for local culverts and small bridges under 20 feet that are in a state of disrepair or require replacement.
• $185 million for capital projects to reduce congestion hotspots, funding that will be available for a myriad of projects such as shared use paths, intersection improvements, railroad grade crossings, and sidewalks.

Having passed the House of Representatives 156-0, the bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

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