Legislature Passes Bill Authorizing $200 Million for Municipal Road and Bridge Maintenance

BOSTON, JULY 6, 2020 – Representative Bill Driscoll, Jr. (D - Milton) joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature in passing legislation last week to provide $200 Million in funding for local road and bridge repairs across the Commonwealth.

Amid a difficult fiscal climate, the bill maintains Chapter 90 funding at a $200 Million level for key repairs for the maintenance and upkeep of municipal roads and bridges in Massachusetts. It also extends the term of the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board, which was set to expire on June 30, 2020, for one additional year.

“These Chapter 90 funds will not only support road and bridge repair projects, which strengthen our transportation infrastructure, but keep work going, which helps the economy,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D – Winthrop). “I’m grateful to Chairs Straus and Michlewitz, Senate President Spilka, and my colleagues in the Legislature for their work on this bill.”

“Chapter 90 funding is critical to the road repair needs of our towns and cities, and I am pleased this program could at least be level funded at $200 million by the House and Senate during today's difficult financial circumstances,” said Representative William Straus (D-Mattapoisett), Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation.

“By passing this responsible piece of legislation we are addressing some of our most vital transportation needs now and giving some certainly to the future of the MBTA,” said Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means (D-Boston). “I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the Legislature on future legislation to improve the Commonwealth’s transportation needs.”

“The economic fallout from the COVID-19 global pandemic has created a significant financial strain on municipal budgets across Massachusetts,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading). “By authorizing a new round of Chapter 90 funding, the Legislature is fulfilling its ongoing commitment to maintaining strong state-municipal partnerships by providing our communities with the resources needed to carry out important transportation upgrades.”

The bill has been signed into law.

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