Mass. Gov. Healey signs $1.2B bill for roads and bridges. How did your town do?
Cities and towns across Massachusetts will see more state money for road, bridge and public infrastructure projects under a sprawling, $1.2 billion transportation funding bill that Gov. Maura Healey signed into law on Friday.
Part of that money, $300 million, is earmarked for the state's Chapter 90 program, which provides local support for transportation projects.
That includes, for instance, $6.3 million in funding for Springfield and $2.4 million for Chicopee in Western Massachusetts.
Boston's total share of state funding, including Millionaire Tax revenue, comes out to just shy of $21.8 million, while Worcester will see a total infusion of $7 million, state data show.
You can see your town's share of the cash here .
"These are not just numbers in a budget. They represent safer school bus routes, rebuilt bridges, and smoother roads for our communities," state Sen. Jacob Oliveira, D-Hampden/Hampshire/Worcester, who represents the region on Beacon Hill, said in a statement.
State lawmakers approved the legislation, which is also intended to ease traffic congestion on the state's crowded roads and highways in separate votes over the last three weeks .
The one-time expansion of the "Chapter 90″ program is a 50% increase over prior spending. And it includes $100 million in aid specifically for rural communities.
"Whether it's helping a city repave a key commuter route or giving a small town the resources to replace a flood-prone bridge, this bill is delivering the resources our communities need to deliver for their residents," Healey said in a statement.
The bill also sets aside $885 million in funding for a trio of infrastructure programs.
Here's how that breaks down:
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$200 million to replace culverts and small bridges, to build more climate-resilient infrastructure, and address long-deferred maintenance.
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$185 million to ease congestion and improve safety, targeting rail crossings, intersections, school zones, commercial districts, and other high-need areas.
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$100 million within the $300 million in "Chapter 90″ funding that will directly benefit rural communities statewide.
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, a former Salem mayor, called the influx of cash " transformational," as local officials plot out their road and bridge spending.
"This bill is a win for every city and town, as well as every person who travels across our state," Driscoll said.
Senate President Karen E. Spilka, D-Middlesex/Norfolk, offered a similar sentiment.
"This funding will fill potholes, ease traffic congestion, and make our roads safer and more accessible," the Ashland Democrat said, adding that she "[looks] forward to seeing these investments make a difference in communities across Massachusetts."
Adam Chapdelaine, of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, which represents local governments on Beacon Hill, stressed that the "essential" funding will benefit all 351 cities and towns statewide.
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Read the original article on MassLive .
