Transportation Committee to hold Chapter 90 hearing April 10

On Thursday, April 10, the Joint Committee on Transportation will hold a hearing on a transportation bond bill filed by Gov. Maura Healey that includes a historic $1.5 billion, five-year authorization for the Chapter 90 program.

H. 53, An Act Financing Long-Term Improvements to Municipal Roads and Bridges, proposes the following authorizations:

• $1.5 billion to support the Chapter 90 program
  • $300 million per year for a period of five years
    • $200 million to be apportioned with the Chapter 90 formula
    • $100 million to be apportioned based on road miles
• $200 million for a culvert and small bridge bridge program
• $185 million for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to address safety and congestion
• $500 million for MassDOT’s road and bridge lifecycle asset management program

Why H.53 is important
The governor’s bill is a key component of her comprehensive Transportation Funding Plan, which was informed by the work of the Transportation Funding Task Force and a Chapter 90 Advisory Group, whose recommendations call for additional funding for Chapter 90 as well as culverts and small bridges.

The governor’s bill would begin to address the impact of inflation on the Chapter 90 program. Chapter 90 has been generally level-funded at $200 million per year each year since 2012. Meanwhile, the cost of road construction and maintenance has increased considerably, with MassDOT estimating that $404.6 million is needed to catch Chapter 90 up to inflation since 2012.

Local needs
The MMA’s most recent member survey on Chapter 90 needs, in 2024, indicates that cities and towns across the Commonwealth need at least $859 million in fiscal 2026 alone to tackle their Chapter 90 projects.

Apportioning the governor’s proposed $100 million increase for Chapter 90 based on road mileage would help municipalities that do not rank high under the traditional formula. These are often rural communities with very limited ability to generate revenue to support road and bridge maintenance and repair.

A multi-year authorization would provide stability for communities during uncertain times, helping communities to better plan and program Chapter 90 funding while making full use of the construction season.

Call to action
The MMA is inviting local leaders to testify in person or remotely during the Joint Committee on Transportation’s hearing on April 10. (Remote participants must sign up at least one hour in advance.)

Written testimony may also be submitted, to Siobhan.Morrissey@mahouse.gov.

Related resources
• April 10 hearing details
• Healey-Driscoll administration’s Chapter 90 Funding and Reform memo, including proposed apportionments through the Chapter 90 bill (January 2025)
• Governor announces $8 billion Transportation Funding Plan (Jan. 14, 2025)
• Transportation Funding Task Force report (January 2025)
• Chapter 90 Program Advisory Group recommendations (January 2025)