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The following was submitted by the office of Sen. Jason Lewis:
Sen. Jason Lewis, Sen. Pat Jehlen, Rep. Michael Day and Rep. Michelle Ciccolo are pleased to announce Winchester is receiving $515,501 in Chapter 90 funds from the state to fund local transportation infrastructure, as part of a $200 million allocation to support transportation-related improvements, including road and bridge repairs, across Massachusetts.
Along with designating funding for individual communities, the legislation also authorizes $175 million for grant programs that will further assist municipalities with various transportation-related projects.
This includes $25 million for each of the following:
• Municipal Pavement Program, which focuses on the improvement of municipally owned state numbered routes.
• Municipal Small Bridge Program, which provides financial support to cities and towns for small bridge replacement, preservation, and rehabilitation projects.
• Complete Streets Funding Program, which provides funding to municipalities for streets that provide safe and accessible options for all travel modes such as walking, biking, transit, and vehicles.
• Municipal Bus Enhancement Program, which provides grant funding to build out infrastructure related to mass transit by bus.
• Mass Transit Access Grant Program, which provides grants for design and construction improvements to access commuter rail stations or other mass transit stations, such as parking lots, drop-off and pick-up zones, bike storage infrastructure, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
• Municipal/RTA EV Grant Program, which provides grants to Regional Transit Authorities and municipalities for the purchase of electric vehicles and related charging equipment.
• Rural Roads Program, which supports the additional road infrastructure needs of rural communities.
“I’m very pleased that the state Legislature is providing these critical funds to our local communities for transportation improvements,” said Lewis. “I know that this money will certainly be put to good use in Winchester improving roads, sidewalks, and other infrastructure.”
“I am glad to see funding being provided for these crucial investments in our community,” said Jehlen. “Our roads, bridges and sidewalks are key in our daily life and require continuous improvements. These are necessary improvements and I'm grateful for the work of the Winchester delegation in getting these funds in place for summer construction.”
“Our infrastructure is among the oldest in the country and maintaining it is critical to our safety and our economy,” said Day. “This funding package provides our town with the funding we need to improve our roads, bridges and transit systems and I was happy to vote for it.”
“Local roads are the backbone of our economy and communities. When our roads are well maintained, the traveling public is safer as they move about the Commonwealth,” said Ciccolo. “I am thrilled that the legislature has approved these funds for Winchester early in the season so that they can be put to maximum use during this upcoming construction season.”
Having received final passage by both the House and Senate, the bill was signed into law by Gov. Maura Healey on May 3, 2024.
