Rep. Lee Davis urges faster, equity-focused bridge repairs under H.4130
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Summary
Representative Lee Davis testified in support of H.4130, a bill to create a five-year accelerated bridge fund prioritizing rural and underserved Massachusetts communities, citing cost escalation, long replacement timelines for rural bridges, and local emergency spending on temporary bridges.
Representative Lee Davis told the Joint Committee on Transportation that he supports H.4130, “an act relative to renewing and expanding the accelerated bridge program,” arguing the bill would speed repairs and address inequities between urban and rural bridge funding. “This isn't just a funding bill. It's a plan for smarter factor, faster action,” Davis said.
Davis told the committee the current approach leaves many rural towns “held back by fragmented funding, long waits, and escalating costs,” and described a recent local example: “Last May in my hometown of Great Barrington the Brookside Bridge was abruptly shut down overnight. What began as a 3,600,000 4 year project is now projected at over $11,000,000 and delayed to 2030.” He said his town is spending about $3,000,000 locally on a temporary bridge to maintain emergency access and keep businesses moving while waiting for a permanent replacement.
Davis cited statewide statistics to argue the Commonwealth faces a broad problem of structurally deficient bridges. He said Massachusetts now ranks poorly for the percentage of bridges in poor condition and that “the average resident lives just 1.7 miles from a structurally deficient bridge.” He contrasted rapid MassDOT action on an urban cracking on Route 107 with long waits in rural areas, saying the difference is “urgency” and “equity.”
Davis framed H.4130 as building on the 2008 Accelerated Bridge Program enacted under Governor Deval Patrick. He said that program “repaired or replaced more than 200 bridges in less than a decade” and argued accelerating repairs now would save money, citing a Federal Highway Administration estimate that bridge construction costs were rising “9 to 15% per year” and that accelerating repairs could save an estimated $1,500,000,000 in deferred maintenance costs.
He described the bill as creating “a new 5 year accelerated bridge fund to repair and replace structurally deficient bridges with an emphasis on rural and underserved communities,” and said it would prioritize “speed, equity, and design build efficiency and transparency.” He closed by asking the committee for a favorable report on H.4130 and offered to answer questions.
The committee did not take a vote during the hearing on H.4130; Davis's testimony was followed by committee questions and other panels on unrelated bills.