Lawmakers hear broad support for House 53 to boost Chapter 90 municipal road funding

The Joint Committee on Transportation on Monday heard extensive testimony on House 53, Governor Healy's proposal to increase annual Chapter 90 aid for cities and towns from $200 million to $300 million, authorize the program for five years and direct an extra $100 million per year to municipalities based solely on road mileage. The bill also would authorize $200 million for a statewide culvert and small-bridge program and expand lifecycle investments for roads and bridges.

The proposal matters because municipal officials, state leaders and construction trades said the extra, multi-year funding would help towns and cities address a backlog of deferred maintenance, improve climate resiliency and provide contractors the certainty needed to plan multiyear projects. Governor Healy, Secretary for Administration and Finance Matthew Gokowitz and MassDOT officials testified alongside mayors, town administrators, regional planners and labor representatives.

“Thank you for the opportunity to speak before you today in strong support of h 5 3 and act financing long term improvements to municipal roads and bridges,” Chrissy Lynch of the AFL‑CIO said during opening testimony. Adam Chapdoyne, executive director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, told the committee: “The proposal would authorize a 50% increase to the typical annual authorization for the chapter 90 program.”

Local officials provided concrete examples of need. Ryan McLean, town…