Mass. Legislature passes historic increase to local transportation infrastructure programs
Submitted Press Release
Published on August 6, 2025 by WestfordCAT
MASS. STATE HOUSE — State Representative James Arciero, House Chair for the Joint Committee on Transportation, helped guide his colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to pass a bill that will distribute $1.2 billion among cities and towns for the maintenance and repair of roads and bridges across the state. The funding, derived from bonding, will expand the Chapter 90 program and help address transportation related improvements, road and bridge repairs, and the impacts of climate change on local infrastructure.
The enacted bill includes a one-year authorization of $300 million for the Chapter 90 Program, a 50 per cent increase over past funding levels. The bill also appropriates $885 million in additional funding that will help ensure 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. “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, as well as our partners in the Senate, for supporting this vital legislation.
“I applaud the Massachusetts Legislature for passing this bill and recognizing the need to be responsive to our cities and towns while also proceeding with caution due to the federal funding uncertainty,” said Representative Arciero. “Thank you to Speaker Ronald Mariano and Chairman Aaron Michlewitz for their leadership in the House. This bill leverages the Legislature’s strategically increased appropriations to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund to expand our borrowing capacity and allow for additional transportation funding for our local infrastructure needs.”
The one-year $300 million authorization in the Chapter 90 program funding represents a historic 50 per cent increase and includes:
$200 million to be distributed to all municipalities based on the standard Chapter 90 program distribution formula
$100 million to be distributed to all municipalities based solely on road mileage
Funding for three additional critical 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 for municipalities’ 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 projects such as shared use paths, intersection improvements, railroad grade crossings, and sidewalks
Both chambers of the Legislature having voted to enact the legislation, the bill now goes to the Governor for her signature.