Local officials urge fast action on Ch. 90

On March 9, municipal officials testified at the inaugural hearing of the Joint Committee on Transportation to urge swift passage of a Chapter 90 bond bill.

Gov. Deval Patrick has filed a $200 million bond bill to fund the local road and bridge program in fiscal 2012, which would be an increase of $45 million over fiscal 2011.

The Transportation Committee chairs – Sen. Thomas McGee of Lynn and Rep. William Straus of Mattapoisett – said they hoped to get a bill through the House and Senate before the end of March. McGee said he didn’t envision a bill with less than $200 million.

MMA Executive Director Geoff Beckwith urged lawmakers to act quickly in order to meet the April 1 statutory deadline for notifying cities and towns of how much funding they will receive.

“The urgency is really driven not just by the condition of local roads, but by the date on the calendar,” said Beckwith, explaining that municipalities need time to plan projects and take advantage of the full construction season.

Frank Tramontozzi, the chief engineer for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the acting highway commissioner, said MassDOT stands ready to begin dispensing the funds as soon as a bill is approved.

The MMA has asked for a $300 million Chapter 90 authorization. A recent MMA survey of municipalities showed that the need is almost $400 million.

“The $300 million request is not far-fetched, and one I think can be achieved,” Braintree Mayor Joseph Sullivan said at the State House hearing. “We believe we can take this money and supplement it with local money and really be aggressive on the infrastructure repairs we have to make.”