House and Senate finalize $300M Chapter 90 funding proposal for FY2027
BOSTON – The House and Senate have finalized a transportation infrastructure bond bill that will provide the town of Reading with $898,350.30 in funding assistance for local road and bridge maintenance under the state’s Chapter 90 program.
House Bill 5375, An Act financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges, was unanimously approved in both legislative branches, 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 bill is now before Governor Maura Healey for her review and signature.
Established by the Legislature in 1973, the Chapter 90 program provides reimbursement to cities and towns on an annual basis to assist with the maintenance and upkeep of local roads, bridges, sidewalks and other transportation infrastructure.
House Bill 5375 authorizes the statewide distribution of $300 million in Chapter 90 funding for Fiscal Year 2027, with $200 million to be allocated using a weighted formula that considers a community’s local road mileage (58.33%), population (20.83%), and employment levels (20.83%). The remaining $100 million is to be distributed based solely on a community’s local road mileage as a way to help ensure that rural communities with smaller populations receive their fair share of funding.
Under this distribution plan, Reading is scheduled to receive $592,135.72 using the traditional three-prong formula, plus an additional $306,214.58 based on road mileage alone.
In addition to the Chapter 90 funding, House Bill 5375 also funds a series of statewide transportation initiatives, including:
- $500 million for the bridge and pavement lifecycle asset management program;
- $200 million for transportation capital projects;
- $200 million for the Parkway Resilience Improvement and Safety Modernization (PRISM) program, which provides accelerated deferred maintenance, modernization, and safety improvements for multi-modal transportation infrastructure under the control of the Department of Conservation and Recreation; and
- $200 million for the implementation of rail improvements, including the design and acquisition of commuter rail locomotives.
“The Chapter 90 program represents a critical partnership between the Commonwealth and local communities that helps to ensure the proper maintenance of transportation infrastructure throughout the state,” said Representative Jones. “This funding will be put to good use by Reading officials as they work to address local road and bridge priorities.”
“Investing in local transportation infrastructure like roads, sidewalks and bridges is one of the impactful things we can do for our communities,” said Representative Haggerty. “This significant Chapter 90 funding will provide Reading the resources it needs to help address important infrastructure priorities and ensure that local roadways remain safe and accessible for our residents and those who visit our community.”
“I’m extremely pleased that the state legislature is providing these critical funds to our communities for local transportation improvements,” said Senator Lewis. “I know that this money will be put to good use in Reading improving roads, sidewalks, and other infrastructure.”
Governor Healey has until June 14 to sign House Bill 5375 into law.
