(BOSTON) – Chapter 90 funding is crucial to the transportation infrastructure relied on by Cohasset, Hingham, Hull, and communities across the South Shore and Commonwealth. This past week, the House of Representatives authorized $4.58 billion in bonding for an expanded Chapter 90 Program and transportation programs to address regional needs, as well as the impacts of climate change on local infrastructure. Hingham, Hull, and Cohasset will receive significant funding through the bill.

Similar to last year, the bill includes a one-year authorization of $300 million for the Chapter 90 Program. Within the $4.58 billion is the reauthorization of $3.18 billion in funding for several popular and well utilized programs included in the 2022 transportation bond bill, such as the Municipal Pavement Program and Shared Streets. The bill also provides $1.1 billion in funding for several important programs to better prepare the Commonwealth to achieve its long-term transportation goals.

The one-year authorization in Chapter 90 Program funding includes:

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

Cohasset will receive $326,715, Hingham $1,142,227, and Hull $441,475 under the bill. This funding is crucial to local roadway improvements including, but not limited to, road construction, pavement repair, bridge maintenance, sidewalk repair, and traffic management.

“This funding allows our communities to make necessary improvements and repairs,” said State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “This is about making Cohasset, Hingham, and Hull more livable and improving local transportation infrastructure.”

Additional programs included in the bill support various transportation-related projects, totaling $1.1 billion:

  • $500 million for the Lifecycle Asset Management Program (LAMP) which aids non-federally funded roads and targets the pavement and bridges that are in the worst condition in the Commonwealth.
  • $200 for capital projects to support housing development, including stormwater management, culverts, and bike and pedestrian improvements.
  • $200 million for a new accelerated deferred maintenance and modernization program for infrastructure under the care and control of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
  • $200 million for the MBTA for the procurement of electrically-powered locomotives.

The legislation also reauthorizes $3.18 billion in funding for several programs included in the 2022 Transportation Bond Bill such as:

  • $2.3 billion for projects on interstates and other federally aided highways.
  • $800 million for improvements to non-federally aided roadways and bridges.
  • $65 million for the Municipal Pavement Program for engineering, permitting, design, and climate change adaptation on municipal ways.
  • $12 million for grants for the Shared Streets Program for improvements and projects to municipal streets to create additional capacity for pedestrians and cyclists.

Having passed the House of Representatives 155-0, the bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.