By Tiffany Williams –
On Thursday, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt continued their Transforming Transportation Road Show in Conway, Massachusetts, aiming to shed light on the Governor’s ambitious $8 billion transportation plan and the accompanying Chapter 90 bill. This initiative is designed to significantly enhance the infrastructure of roads, bridges, culverts, and regional transit systems, specifically targeting Western Massachusetts and its small, rural communities.
The centerpiece of the Governor’s transportation plan is a proposed $8 billion investment spread over the next decade, focusing on the modernization and repair of the state’s vital transportation infrastructure. This plan includes a substantial allocation of $2.5 billion dedicated to road and bridge repairs through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). Within this budget, there is a targeted investment of $1.5 billion aimed at modernizing state-owned bridges and repaving roads throughout Massachusetts. Additionally, $200 million is earmarked for upgrading the state’s aging culvert infrastructure, which will enhance the resilience of small bridges against environmental challenges.
“Every dollar we invest in our transportation infrastructure is an investment in improving the quality of life for all our residents, including Western Mass. Our transportation bills make sure that no community is left behind and propose significant funding to improve roads, pavement, bridges, culverts and regional transit,” said Governor Healey. “Under our plan, communities like Conway and others in Franklin County will see the largest percentage funding increases in the state. We’re going to make sure that the distribution of this funding is equitable and takes into account the unique challenges that our small and rural communities face.”
A notable component of the plan is the introduction of a Winter Resilience Assistance Program. This program will provide $25 million to municipalities, which will be distributed based on each community’s share of locally-owned road mileage, thus helping local governments manage the costs associated with winter operations such as snow removal and ice management.
“As a former Mayor, I know how much our municipalities need these dollars to fill potholes, fix bridges and culverts, make sure the buses run on time, and clear ice and snow from our roads. When we’re get this work done, we make life easier for our residents and our businesses alike,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These resources will directly help all our constituents – including in Western Mass and our rural and small communities.”
Moreover, the proposal includes a significant commitment of $110 million to support regional transit authorities, including the Franklin Regional Transit Authority. This funding is intended to promote fare-free service initiatives, improve overall transit infrastructure, and facilitate better interconnectivity between different transportation modes.
In tandem with these initiatives, Governor Healey has also proposed comprehensive legislation to reform the Chapter 90 program, which finances transportation projects in municipalities. This proposed reform aims to dramatically increase funding for municipal roads and bridges, suggesting a five-year allocation of $1.5 billion that would raise the annual Chapter 90 funding from the traditional $200 million to $300 million, marking a 50 percent increase.
The reform plan introduces a revised distribution formula that allocates an additional $100 million based solely on road mileage, ensuring that smaller and rural communities receive the support they need for their infrastructure projects. This multi-year authorization of Chapter 90 will enable municipalities to engage in long-term planning for road and bridge projects, affording them greater stability and predictability in their local infrastructure investments.
Earlier this month, Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll launched the Transforming Transportation Road Show at the Brockton Area Transportation’s Intermodal Transportation Centre.
Their goal is to raise awareness of how this transportation plan will bolster the state’s 15 Regional Transit Authorities. They also visited the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 4 in Medway, emphasizing the significant economic impact of this plan, which is projected to create approximately 140,000 jobs in Massachusetts over the course of its implementation.
“Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll have emphasized that a thriving economy requires a transportation system that serves everyone, and their proposed budget reflects this commitment,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “The administration’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget builds on last year’s historic investments in transportation infrastructure and promotes the goals of creating a reliable, accessible, and resilient transportation system for all. We are excited to work alongside officials in Conway and all municipalities as we collaborate to invest in critical infrastructure, expand public transit, and increase travel options.”