COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS SENATE
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON 02133

Senator Joan B. Lovely
State Senator
2nd Essex District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

July 2, 2021

Senate Passes Bill to Authorize $300 Million in Funding for Transportation Infrastructure

BOSTON-The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday passed legislation to invest $300 million in municipal transportation projects and selected statewide transportation infrastructure projects.

The bill, An Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges, authorizes $200 million for municipal roads and bridges through the chapter 90 program and $100 million to support statewide projects to address congestion, support electric vehicle infrastructure, and improve public transit.

“As we emerge from the pandemic and travel across the Commonwealth picks up, we must invest in a transportation system that is reliable, sustainable, safe, accessible and equitable,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I am thrilled to see that the Senate’s chapter 90 proposal, which authorizes $200 million for roads and bridges for our cities and towns, also paves the way for additional investments in emerging electric vehicle infrastructure. I am grateful to Senators Rodrigues, Boncore, and Feeney for their hard work and collaboration on this legislation.”

“Chapter 90 funds ensure that our communities have the means to keep our local roads maintained and safe” said Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem). “I was honored to join my colleagues in unanimously passing this legislation. It is imperative that we continue to invest in and support local road projects enhancing transportation systems and infrastructure across our Commonwealth.”

“Chapter 90 funding is one of the most important ways that we can provide direct support to communities in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D -Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I applaud Senate President Spilka and Senator Boncore for their leadership on transportation in Massachusetts, and my colleagues for recognizing the importance of maintaining and strengthening our local infrastructure while we continue to build toward our new normal.”

“Safe roads, reliable bridges, and modernized transit infrastructure made possible through this bill exemplifies the Senate’s approach to public transportation,” said Senate Transportation Committee Chair Joe Boncore (D-Winthrop). “The economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has made the need for this funding more urgent. These investments will provide critical funding for shovel-ready transportation projects in our cities and towns, create jobs, and support local and regional economies.”

The bill includes the following components:

  • $200 million in chapter 90 funding for cities and townsfor projects to maintain, improve, and repair roadways, bridges, sidewalks, and bikeways.
  • $25 million for the Municipal Small Bridge Programto support replacement or preservation of structurally deficient local bridges critical to local communities and not eligible for existing federal aid programs.
  • $25 million for the Local Bottleneck Programto address localized traffic bottlenecks and invest in infrastructure to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, and reduce idling and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • $25 million for Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure to support municipalities and regional transit authorities in their efforts to install EV infrastructure and purchase EVs and zero-emission vehicles. 
  • $25 million for Transit-Supportive Infrastructureto create dedicated bus lanes, enhance bus stops and train stations, support passenger safety, upgrade technology and modernize infrastructure to meet demand and increase frequency of public transit services, and improve access to public transit.

Appropriations for the 2nd Essex District include:

  • $1,043,414 awarded to the City of Beverly
  • $889,661 awarded to the Town Danvers
  • $1,231,069 awarded to the City of Peabody
  • $832,136 awarded to the City of Salem
  • $257,260 awarded to the Town of Topsfield

The legislation must now be reconciled with legislation passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

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