Healey-Driscoll Administration Files Multi-Year Chapter 90 Bond Bill to Invest $1.5 Billion in Local Road and Bridges

Chapter 90 Bond Bill increases annual support for municipal infrastructure by 50 percent

At the Massachusetts Municipal Association's Connect 351 conference, Governor Maura Healey announced that she is filing legislation to reform the Chapter 90 roadways program to substantially increase funding for municipal roads and bridges. The Governor also announced that next week, she will file the Municipal Empowerment Act 2.0, which proposes to give municipalities more tools and flexibility to deliver high-quality services for their residents.

“We know that municipalities rely on the Chapter 90 program to fund critical improvements to their roads and bridges,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Under our bill, and with this new, mileage-based formula, every single city and town – including our small towns and rural communities – will see a significant increase in Chapter 90 funding. This means that local officials can put these dollars to work easing congestion, strengthening resilience, and improving safety and quality of life for all of their residents.”

“As a former Mayor, I know first-hand the challenges that municipal leaders face as they work hard to make our communities stronger,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re grateful for all of the input we received from local leaders on our Chapter 90 advisory group, and we’re proud to be proposing this historic infusion of resources for the Chapter 90 program.”

The Chapter 90 bond bill the administration is filing today authorizes the state to borrow $1.5 billion over the next five years to improve local transportation networks. Working in tandem with the administration’s recently filed FY26 budget proposal (House 1), the bond bill proposes using voter-approved Fair Share surtax revenues to expand capital capacity, enabling $300 million in annual Chapter 90 funds, a 50 percent increase over the traditional $200 million.  

"When cities and towns are equipped to support their local economies, ensure that services are dependable and roads are well-maintained, all of Massachusetts benefits," said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “The increased Chapter 90 funding our administration is proposing reflects investments in the future of our state as a whole."

“The Healey-Driscoll administration is committed to stabilizing, enhancing, and transforming the transportation system in Massachusetts, and that means having an allegiance with city and town officials to give them the most resources possible to improve local infrastructure,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt.  “We are requesting an increase in annual support for municipal infrastructure by 50 percent through the Chapter 90 program to help make the state’s transportation system seamless so everyone can get around safer and easier whether people are traveling on foot, by bike, by public transportation, or by automobile.”

Since taking office, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has been committed to ensuring that every municipality, from Provincetown to Pittsfield, has the resources it needs to succeed. The administration’s House 1 proposal continues that commitment, with a recommended $9.205 billion in local aid, a $480 million or 6 percent increase over the FY25 budget, full funding of the fifth year of the Student Opportunity Act, and the proposal to leverage Fair Share to expand and reform Chapter 90. These legislative initiatives build on previous reforms to provide municipalities greater flexibility, such as passage of the most sweeping civil service system reforms in 50 years, which will enable local police and fire departments more options for recruiting key personnel. 

The Chapter 90 program provides municipalities with annual funding for capital improvements on local public ways—improving pavement quality, building sidewalks, restoring bridges, and financing bike and pedestrian infrastructure. Under the program, Massachusetts municipalities are allocated a portion of total program dollars, which allows them to evaluate their unique transportation needs and goals and distribute funding dollars accordingly. 

In addition to expanding capital capacity to grow Chapter 90 funding, the administration’s bill updates the program’s formula to ensure that every community in Massachusetts receives a significant increase in local road support, with enhanced support for small and rural communities. These proposals are informed by recommendations from the Chapter 90 Advisory Group, which is releasing its final report in tandem with the bill filing. Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Driscoll asked MassDOT and the Executive Office for Administration and Finance to convene the Advisory Group last year to assess challenges with program funding, distribution and the project approval process and propose solutions. The Advisory Group brought together municipal leaders and public works officials from across Massachusetts.  

Learn more about the Chapter 90 bill here.