Road and bridge money part of $1.185B transportation infrastructure bill
BOSTON – Reading is scheduled to receive $900,753.57 in state Chapter 90 funding assistance for local transportation infrastructure as part of a $1.185 billion transportation bond bill supported by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and State Representative Richard M. Haggerty (D-Woburn).
House Bill 4307, An Act financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges, was given preliminary approval by the House of Representatives on July 23, when it was engrossed on a vote of 156-0. The bond bill still requires Senate approval and Governor Healey’s signature before the funding can be finalized.
The House bill calls for a $300 million statewide allocation for the Chapter 90 program for Fiscal Year 2026, with $200 million to be allocated to cities and towns 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%). The remaining $100 million will be allocated based strictly on local road mileage.
Under the House bill, Reading 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.
“Keeping our local roads and bridges properly maintained is critical to ensuring the public’s safety and traveling convenience, which is why the Chapter 90 program is so important to our cities and towns,” said Representative Jones. “This funding will allow Reading to address some of its most pressing transportation needs by providing the resources necessary to carry out infrastructure improvements that are deemed a priority.”
“This significant investment in our community’s transportation needs through the Chapter 90 funding increase is crucial for keeping our roads safe and reliable in our community for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike,” said Representative Haggerty. “Reading will be able to use these resources to tackle local road and sidewalk improvement projects. I’m proud to have supported this funding that will make a real difference for our residents’ daily commutes and neighborhood safety.”
Created by the Legislature in 1973, the Chapter 90 program is funded annually and provides reimbursement to cities and towns to help offset the costs associated with local transportation infrastructure projects. In addition to constructing, repairing and maintaining local roads and bridges, communities can use Chapter 90 funds for related transportation infrastructure work such as sidewalks, traffic signalization and street lighting.
House Bill 4307 also includes $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.
House Bill 4307 will now move to the Senate for its consideration.
