$16 MILLION FOR SMALL BRIDGE REPAIRS – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has awarded 36 cities and towns grants to fund the repair of bridges that are 20 or fewer feet in length. This 5-year, $50 million program was approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker last August. It will reimburse communities up to $500,000 per year to repair these small bridges, which are not eligible for federal aid. The funds can be used for the design, construction and administrative costs for the preservation, rehabilitation or replacement of these bridges.
   Supporters, noting there are some 1,300 small bridges across the state, say that many of these are in desperate need of repair or replacement and are at high risk for full or partial closure in the near future if action is not taken. 
  The next deadline for filing an application is June 3. There are three deadlines during the year – Oct. 31, Feb. 28, and June 3. An application for an emergency can be submitted for consideration at any time.
   An application form is on-line at: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/DoingBusinessWithUs/LocalAidPrograms/MunicipalSmallBridgeProgram.aspx    

Arlington will receive $500,000 to replace a bridge on Mystic Street (Route 3) the Mill Brook.

Ashfield will receive $500,000 to replace a bridge on Apple Valley Road over the Upper Branch Clesson Brook.

Ayer will receive $500,000 to replace a bridge on West Main Street over the Nonacocicus Brook.

Blandford will receive $500,000 to rehabilitate bridges on Blandford Road and Gore Road over Tiffany Brook.

Brockton will receive $479,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on West Elm Street over the Salisbury Brook.

Charlemont will receive $490,000 to replace a bridge on Maxwell Road over the Maxwell Brook.

Charlton will receive $500,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Potter Village Road over the Stearns Brook.

Chesterfield will receive $250,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Ireland Street over the Jackson Brook.

Colrain will receive $500,000 to replace a bridge on Adamsville Road over the Tisdell Brook.

Easton will receive $450,000 to replace a bridge on South Street over the Mulberry Brook.

Fitchburg will receive $130,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Ashburnham Street/Route 12.

Framingham will receive $500,000 to replace a bridge on Beaver Street over the Beaver Dam Brook.

Huntington will receive $300,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Searle Road over the Pond Brook.

Leominster will receive $450,000 to replace a bridge on Litchfield Street over the Fall Brook.

Mattapoisett will receive $500,000 to replace a bridge on Acushnet Road over the Mattapoisett River.

Medfield will receive $95,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Philip Street over the Mine Brook.

Monson will receive $500,000 to replace a bridge on Silver Street over the Twelve Mile Brook.

Newbury will receive $260,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Main Street over the Parker River.

North Attleboro will receive $500,000 to replace a bridge on Chestnut Street over the Ten Mile River.

Plainville will receive $500,000 to replace a bridge on Mirimichi Street over the Mirimichi Lake.

Princeton will receive $500,000 to replace a bridge on East Princeton Road over the East Wachusett Brook.

Saugus will receive $500,000 to replace a bridge on Water Street over the Saugus River.

Sheffield will receive $420,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on County Road over the Ironwork Brook.

Southwick will receive $500,000 to replace a bridge on North Loomis Street over the Shurtleff Brook.

Stockbridge will receive $500,000 to replace a bridge on Route 183 over the Larrywuag Brook.

Tolland will receive $500,000 to replace a bridge on Colebrook River Road over the Cranberry Pond Brook.

Upton will receive $500,000 to replace a bridge on Fowler Street over the Warren Brook.

Wareham will receive $500,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Elm Street over the Parker Mill Road.

Warwick will receive $500,000 to replace a bridge on Gale Road over the Gales Brook.

Washington will receive $250,000 to replace a bridge on Middlefield Road over the Coles Brook.

Wendell will receive $450,000 to replace a bridge on Wendell Depot Road over the Whetstone Brook.

Westborough will receive $500,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Fisher Street over the Assabet River

Weymouth will receive $500,000 to replace a bridge on Commercial Street over the Herring Brook.

Whately will receive $497,000 to replace a bridge on Williamsburg Road over the West Brook/Sanderson Brook.

Windsor will receive $500,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Flintstone Road over the Tyler Brook.

Worthington will receive $500,000 to replace a bridge on Adams Road over the Kinne Brook.