Your thoughts on how much of this will be used on wasteful spending before it reaches where it’s originally supposed to go?
By Bob Katzen
House 157-0, approved and sent to the Senate a $1.2 billion transportation bond bill that includes authorizing $300 million in one-time funding for the maintenance and repair of local roads and bridges in cities and towns across the state — a 50 percent increase over last year’s funding. The measure provides that $200 million be distributed to all cities and towns based on the standard Chapter 90 Program distribution formula while $100 million would be distributed to all municipalities based solely on road mileage.
The $1.2 billion package also includes $885 million for other transportation-related projects including $500 million for the Lifecycle Asset Management Program which supports non-federally aided roads and targets the Bay State pavement and bridges that are in the worst condition; $200 million for a culvert and small bridge repair program to aid municipalities for local culverts and small bridges under 20 feet that are in a state of disrepair or require replacement; and $185 million for capital projects to reduce congestion hotspots, funding that will be available for a myriad of projects such as shared use paths, intersection improvements, railroad grade crossings and sidewalks.
“The federal funding uncertainty from Washington, D.C. is very real,” said Rep. James Arciero (D-Westford), House Chair of the Committee on Transportation. “The House is proceeding with caution while balancing the significant transportation needs of our cities and towns. This bill leverages the Legislature’s increased appropriations to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund. These strategic appropriations expanded our borrowing capacity to allow for additional transportation funding for cities and towns.”
“This legislation strikes a balance between increasing funding for municipal roadways and transportation-related projects while maintaining outstanding fiscal responsibility,” said Rep. Michael Finn (D-West Springfield), House Chair of the Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. “Our decision to continue giving the governor the authority to utilize either general or special obligation bonds enables us to capitalize on competitive interest rates, save money long term and preserve general obligation bond capacity for the commonwealth’s most pressing needs.”
“Providing funding for critical infrastructure projects through investments in the commonwealth’s public transportation, roads and bridges is one of the most important responsibilities that we have as members of the Legislature,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “I’m proud of the support for local infrastructure repairs that this legislation provides, and of the funding that it allocates for projects that will address congestion hotspots across the commonwealth.”
“The Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) and local leaders across the state are deeply grateful that legislators appreciate the importance of this program to the quality of life and economic development in our communities,” said MMA Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine. “Chapter 90 is a program that benefits all 351 cities and towns in the state, and a 50 percent increase in funding would have a substantial impact in all corners of the commonwealth.”
Chapdelaine declined to respond to a Beacon Hill Roll Call request asking him whether the MMA wanted more than the $350 million funding and if it wanted a 2-year commitment of funds instead of a 1-year one.
(A “Yes” vote is for the bill.)
Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes