March 29, 2005
ROMNEY DIRECTS EARLY RELEASE OF ROAD FUNDS FOR MUNICIPALITIES
$120 million in Chapter 90 Funding Issued Just Prior to New Construction Season
Governor Mitt Romney today announced the release of $120 million in state aid to the Commonwealth’s 351 cities and towns to upgrade local roads and bridges. Romney directed the early release of the funding to facilitate local project planning for the upcoming spring construction season.
“These Chapter 90 funds represent an important investment in our state’s infrastructure,” Romney said. “By releasing this funding earlier than in past years, communities will be able to know how much money is available to them, and they will be able to move forward more quickly on their priority road projects.”
Each year, Chapter 90 funding is allocated to cities and towns based on a formula that takes into account the number of miles of local roadway, population and the employment rate in a given community. The funding is reimbursed to the communities on approved transportation projects as construction unfolds. Last year, Chapter 90 funding was released in mid-August, well into that year’s road and bridge construction season.
In recent years, the state has released $100 million in annual Chapter 90 funds. Last year, Romney approved the release of an additional $20 million to ensure that local road and bridge construction remains active and he is committed to maintaining the higher spending level this year as well.
“Governor Romney knows that it important to continue with this robust investment in local roads and bridges,” said Transportation Secretary Daniel A. Grabauskas. “Approximately 90 percent of roads in the Commonwealth are under municipal jurisdiction, and we want to give cities and towns the tools that they need to maintain their critical infrastructure.”
This $120 million in Chapter 90 funds is on top of a requirement for the Massachusetts Highway Department to spend at least $450 million a year on the statewide road and bridge program. This past fiscal year, the state spent $456 million on the road and bridge program.
To check on individual allocations for cities and towns, please refer to www.state.ma.us/mhd.
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