Governor Maura Healey signed into law a $375.00 million Chapter 90 infrastructure package. Melrose will receive $523,286. (courtesy photo)
BOSTON—State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian are pleased to announce that Melrose is receiving $523,286 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; and
- 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 State Senator Jason Lewis. “I know that this money will certainly be put to good use in Melrose improving roads, sidewalks, and other infrastructure.”
“I was pleased to join my colleagues in the legislature to support this transportation infrastructure funding bill,” said State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian. “I am glad to see that Melrose will receive more than $500K for local infrastructure. Continued investment in the statewide complete streets, bus enhancement, and mass transit access programs has further potential for the City’s transportation system.”
Having received final passage by both the House and Senate, the bill was signed into law by Governor Maura Healey on May 3, 2024 outside Melrose City Hall. Senator Lewis and Representative Lipper-Garabedian joined Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Mayor Grigoraitis, and other state and local officials for the bill signing.
