(BOSTON) – Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined her colleagues in a vote to pass a $350 million spending bill that adds $200 million to the Chapter 90 program to fund local road and bridge repairs and calls for an additional $150 million to be spent on other municipal transportation efforts.
The Chapter 90 Program grants municipalities annual funding to improve and invest in local transportation networks. The $200 million allocation in the legislation will be added to the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund and subsequently distributed to each municipality.
The bill’s additional $150 million investment for municipal transportation projects includes $40 million for repairing non-federally aided roads and bridges, $30 million for the Municipal Small Bridge Program, $30 million for the Complete Streets Program, $25 million for municipal grants to increase access to mass transit and commuter rail stations, and $25 million for municipal grants to enhance bus transit.
“Ensuring that our roads and bridges are in good condition and that other key transportation needs are met are top priorities,” said Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “This annual funding is critical for our towns’ efforts to maintain and improve the safety and ease of transportation for all our residents.”
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.