By Bob Katzen
The Senate approved, on a voice vote without a roll call, a $2.737 billion bond bill to fund various local, regional and state transportation programs.
The package includes $300 million for cities and towns for local road and bridges — $200 million which will be distributed to all municipalities based on the standard Chapter 90 Program distribution formula and another $100 million which will be distributed to all municipalities based solely on road mileage.
Provisions include $500 million for the Lifecycle Asset Management Program which aids non-federally funded roads and targets the pavement and bridges across the state that are in the worst condition; $200 million for capital projects to support housing development, including stormwater management, culverts and bike and pedestrian improvements; $200 million for a new accelerated deferred maintenance and modernization program for infrastructure under the care and control of the Department of Conservation and Recreation; and $200 million for the MBTA for the procurement of electrically powered locomotives.
Only final approval is needed in each branch prior to the package going to Gov. Maura Healey for her signature.
“Today, the Senate is authorizing funding that will go directly toward fixing potholes, repairing local bridges and building on the progress Massachusetts public transit has made,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “At the same time, this legislation will help ease serious financial burdens on cities and towns that are navigating a difficult fiscal moment.”
“With the winter of 2026 in the rearview mirror, the Senate now moves forward in addressing long-term capital projects for roadways and bridges all across the commonwealth,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This sweeping bond bill provides critical support for capital projects in transportation that will spur housing development, make our roads and bridges safer and continue to improve upon the MBTA’s ongoing railway improvement project. This legislation builds upon our commitment to make Massachusetts the leader and a model for a safe and state-of-the-art public transportation system.”
Adam Chapdelaine, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, said, “With this legislation successfully advancing through the Senate today, municipal leaders across the commonwealth are seeing a powerful, bipartisan commitment to our local infrastructure. Chapter 90 remains the premier program for promoting the safety and reliability of municipal roads and bridges.”