Reading will receive $900K in road and bridge assistance
BOSTON – With the support of House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading), State Representative Richard M. Haggerty (D-Woburn) and State Senator Jason M. Lewis (D-Winchester), the House and Senate have finalized a $1.185 billion transportation infrastructure bond bill that will provide Reading with $900,753.57 in state Chapter 90 funding assistance to help maintain its roads and bridges.
House Bill 4307, An Act financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges, was enacted in both legislative branches on July 31, with the House voting 156-0 and the Senate voting 39-0 to approve the funding. The bill is now on Governor Maura Healey’s desk for her review and signature.
While previous Chapter 90 bills have typically allocated a total of $200 million annually to cities and towns, House Bill 4307 increases that amount to $300 million for Fiscal Year 2026. When this funding is distributed, $200 million will be allocated to municipalities using the traditional three-prong formula that is based on the weighted average of each community’s local road mileage (58.33%), population (20.83%), and employment (20.83%), with the remaining $100 million allocated based strictly on local road mileage.
Reading’s legislative delegation noted that the Town will receive $594,011.80 using the traditional Chapter 90 funding formula and will receive an additional $306,741.77 in state funding based on road mileage alone.
“Cities and towns rely on their annual Chapter 90 allocations to help maintain their local transportation infrastructure and ensure that it remains in a state of good repair,” said Representative Jones. “I’m pleased the House and Senate agreed to expand the program’s funding this year so communities like Reading can prioritize additional projects to help make our roads and bridges safer for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.”
“This substantial increase of 50% in Chapter 90 funding provides Reading with the resources necessary to keep our local roads, sidewalks, and transportation systems in great shape, ensuring safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians,” said Representative Haggerty. “These funds enable Reading to tackle important infrastructure improvements throughout our streets and walkways. I’m pleased to have supported this investment that will make a real difference in residents’ daily travels while improving safety in our neighborhoods.”
“I’m very pleased that the state legislature is providing these critical funds to our local communities for transportation improvements,” said Senator Lewis. “I know that this money will be put to good use in Reading, improving roads, sidewalks, and other infrastructure.”
The Chapter 90 program was created by the Legislature in 1973 to help cities and towns offset the costs associated with the construction, repair, and maintenance of local roads and bridges. This funding, which is provided annually on a reimbursable basis, can also be used for related transportation infrastructure work such as sidewalks, traffic signalizatio,n and street lighting.
In addition to the $300 million in Chapter 90 funding, House Bill 4307 also authorizes $885 million in bond funding to support three non-Chapter 90 transportation-related initiatives, including:
- $500 million for the bridge and pavement lifecycle asset management program, which assists communities with non-federally aided roadway and bridge projects;
- $200 million for modernization and resilience upgrades to municipally owned culverts and small bridges; and
- $185 million for statewide capital projects aimed at easing congestion and improving safety through multimodal infrastructure improvements.
Governor Healey has until August 10 to sign House Bill 4307 into law.
