State Rep. Sally Kerans Touts $6.2 million In North Shore Road, Bridge Repair Funding

DANVERS, MA — State Rep. Sally Kerans (D-Danvers) is touting $6.2 million in Chapter 90 bridge and road repair funding headed toward the 13th Essex District as part of the legislature's $1.185 billion transportation bill that Gov. Maura Healey recently signed into law.

The bill includes a one-year authorization of $300 million for the Chapter 90 Program, a 50 percent increase over past funding levels

Kerans told Patch that this formula will allocate $200 million to be distributed to all municipalities based on the standard Chapter 90 program distribution formula, and $100 million to be distributed to all municipalities based solely on road mileage.

"With this year's funding, we have responded to our smaller communities' appeals for a more equitable formula," said Kerans, who represents Danvers, Peabody Ward 6, Middleton Precinct 2, Topsfield Precinct 2, and Wenham Precinct 1A.

Chapter 90 funding is used by cities and towns to offset the costs associated with construction,
repair, and maintenance of local bridges and roads.

The communities of the 13th Essex District will be receiving the following funds from Chapter
90 in Fiscal Year 2026:

Danvers $1,555,750.48
Middleton $605,219.42
Peabody $2,223,998.49
Topsfield $541,271.81
Wenham $313,401.87

Kerans said the funding strikes a balance between increasing funding for municipal roadways
and transportation-related projects while adhering to smart, sound fiscal practices.

"By giving the governor the authority to utilize either general or special obligation bonds, we
can capitalize on competitive interest rates, save money long term, and preserve general
obligation bond capacity for the Commonwealth's most pressing needs," she said.

Gov. Healey signed the transportation infrastructure bond bill earlier this month.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)