Healey announces $1.2 billion for roads and bridges, raises Chapter 90 to $300 million

Governor Maura Healey, joined by Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and municipal officials at an event in Gardner City, announced that the Legislature authorized $1.2 billion for roads and bridges and raised Chapter 90 municipal aid from $200 million to $300 million as part of a larger transportation funding package.

The announcement drew praise from local leaders and the Massachusetts Municipal Association, which said the increase will allow cities and towns to accelerate pavement, bridge and culvert work. "In total, this bill authorizes $1,200,000,000 for infrastructure that our residents, our economy, our quality of life depend on," Healey said.

Why it matters: state Chapter 90 aid is the primary formula-based road and bridge funding stream for Massachusetts municipalities. Officials said the additional dollars, together with increases in the Department of Transportation bridge and pavement program and new money for culvert replacement, small bridge improvements and congestion relief, will let local governments begin projects they have deferred.

Massachusetts Municipal Association Executive Director Adam Chaplain said local elected officials and administrators from across the state support the change, noting Chapter 90 affects all 351 cities and towns. Chaplain thanked the governor, the administration and MassDOT for designing both the investment and the financing plan that permitted votes in the Transportation and Bonding Committees, allowing municipalities to "start to make roadway investments tomorrow," he said.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, a former mayor, framed the funding as a response to local fiscal pressures and aging infrastructure. "No city or town can do this alone," Driscoll said, stressing that the money would help make roads "smoother, commutes faster, and communities safer." She urged swift follow-up at the local level and closed the event by encouraging officials to gather for a bill-signing: "So let's get everybody behind the table. Let's get this bill signed." (Driscoll spoke at the event and invited officials to participate in the signing.)

Officials emphasized that the authorization is part of an approximately $8 billion transportation funding plan. Details the speakers cited include the Chapter 90 increase to $300 million, expanded Department of Transportation bridge and pavement funding, new programs for culvert replacement and small bridge improvements, and a program to address traffic and congestion. The speakers thanked the legislature, the Transportation Committee and the bonding committee for adopting the plan and noted the administration identified a financing approach to support the investments.

The event in Gardner City was framed as a statewide announcement and celebration rather than a municipal meeting; speakers repeatedly credited collaboration among state and municipal partners. No formal municipal vote or motion was recorded during the event. The timeline and detailed distribution of funds to individual communities were not specified at the event; officials said municipalities would be able to begin projects once state and local implementation steps are completed.