Senate Passes Bill to Authorize $300 Million in Funding for Transportation Infrastructure
The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday passed legislation to invest $300 million in municipal transportation projects and selected statewide transportation infrastructure projects.
The bill, An Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges, authorizes $200 million for municipal roads and bridges through the chapter 90 program and $100 million to support statewide projects to address congestion, support electric vehicle infrastructure, and improve public transit.
“As we emerge from the pandemic and travel across the Commonwealth picks up, we must invest in a transportation system that is reliable, sustainable, safe, accessible and equitable,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I am thrilled to see that the Senate’s chapter 90 proposal, which authorizes $200 million for roads and bridges for our cities and towns, also paves the way for additional investments in emerging electric vehicle infrastructure. I am grateful to Senators Rodrigues, Boncore, and Feeney for their hard work and collaboration on this legislation.”
“Chapter 90 funding is one of the most important ways that we can provide direct support to communities in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D -Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I applaud Senate President Spilka and Senator Boncore for their leadership on transportation in Massachusetts, and my colleagues for recognizing the importance of maintaining and strengthening our local infrastructure while we continue to build toward our new normal.”
“Safe roads, reliable bridges, and modernized transit infrastructure made possible through this bill exemplifies the Senate’s approach to public transportation,” said Joe Boncore (D-Winthrop), Chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation. “The economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has made the need for this funding more urgent. These investments will provide critical funding for shovel-ready transportation projects in our cities and towns, create jobs, and support local and regional economies.
“There is no question our local infrastructure is in dire need of repairs and upgrades. As we recover from the pandemic and businesses and offices re-open, more people are hitting the roads,” said Senator Paul R. Feeney (D-Foxborough), the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. “Today's vote in the Senate to secure $300 million in bond authorizations means that our city and town officials can move ahead with the critical work necessary to keep our communities structurally safe and secure. Investing in our local roads and bridges while putting people to work is a smart investment for the Commonwealth.”
“Chapter 90 funding is a critical resource to help our cities and towns build and maintain safe and efficient transportation infrastructure, and it is important for us quickly to provide it to them,” stated Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (D-Gloucester). “Doing so will help communities maximize their use of the construction season, boost the economy, and improve our quality of life as we move forward past the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The bill includes the following components:
$200 million in chapter 90 funding for cities and towns for projects to maintain, improve, and repair roadways, bridges, sidewalks, and bikeways.
$25 million for the Municipal Small Bridge Program to support replacement or preservation of structurally deficient local bridges critical to local communities and not eligible for existing federal aid programs.
$25 million for the Local Bottleneck Program to address localized traffic bottlenecks and invest in infrastructure to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, and reduce idling and greenhouse gas emissions.
$25 million for Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure to support municipalities and regional transit authorities in their efforts to install EV infrastructure and purchase EVs and zero-emission vehicles.
$25 million for Transit-Supportive Infrastructure to create dedicated bus lanes, enhance bus stops and train stations, support passenger safety, upgrade technology and modernize infrastructure to meet demand and increase frequency of public transit services, and improve access to public transit.
The legislation must now be reconciled with legislation passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives.