HOUSE AND SENATE AGREE ON TRANSPORTATION BOND BILL

(BOSTON)– Today, the House and Senate enacted House Bill 3324 “An Act Providing for the Municipal Road and Bridge Maintenance Needs of the Commonwealth,” authorizing $200 million in Commonwealth bond proceeds to fund the Chapter 90 Local Road program, a $45 million increase from Fiscal Year 2011.  The funds will be distributed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to cities and towns for maintenance and improvements to road and bridge assets throughout the Commonwealth.

“This bill is imperative to maintaining roadways within our local communities,” said Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.  “We are coming off one of the most difficult winters we have had in years and this bill will help municipalities to make the repairs to some of the roads that have been affected.  I am thrilled with this much needed increase above last year’s authorization.”

Approximately every 3 years, the Legislature passes a bond bill allowing the Governor to sell bonds up to a set amount to fund the Chapter 90 Local Road program.  This legislation authorizes the Treasurer to borrow up to $200M for road construction and reconstruction.  The apportionment to each town is based on a formula that takes into account local road miles, population and employment levels within the town.  This is a set formula that was developed by the Legislative Rural Caucus of the Transportation Committee and is used each year to determine the appropriation to each town.

On March 23, 1973, the Chapter 90 Program was enacted to entitle municipalities to reimbursement of documented expenditures under the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 90, Section 34, Clause 2(a) on approved Projects.  Roadway projects eligible for allocation include resurfacing and related work, right-of-way acquisition, shoulders, side road approaches, landscaping and tree planting, roadside drainage, structures (including bridges), sidewalks, traffic control and service facilities and street lighting.

The bill will now go the Governor’s desk for his approbation.

Posted: Thu, Apr 7, 2011
Updated Thu, Apr 7, 2011