Reading To Receive $900K For Local Transportation Infrastructure

READING, MA — Reading is scheduled to receive $900,753.57 in state Chapter 90 funding assistance for local transportation infrastructure as part of a $1.185 billion transportation bond bill supported by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and State Rep. Richard M. Haggerty (D-Woburn).

The larger bill was approved by the House of Representatives on July 23. It still requires Senate approval and Gov. Maura Healey’s signature before the funding can be finalized.

Under the House bill, Reading will receive $594,011.80 using the traditional Chapter 90 funding formula and will receive an additional $306,741.77 in state funding based on road mileage alone.

“Keeping our local roads and bridges properly maintained is critical to ensuring the public’s safety and traveling convenience, which is why the Chapter 90 program is so important to our cities and towns,” Jones said in a statement. “This funding will allow Reading to address some of its most pressing transportation needs by providing the resources necessary to carry out infrastructure improvements that are deemed a priority.”

Created by the Legislature in 1973, the Chapter 90 program is funded annually and provides reimbursement to cities and towns to help offset the costs associated with local transportation infrastructure projects.

“This significant investment in our community’s transportation needs through the Chapter 90 funding increase is crucial for keeping our roads safe and reliable in our community for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike,” Haggerty said in a statement. “Reading will be able to use these resources to tackle local road and sidewalk improvement projects. I'm proud to have supported this funding that will make a real difference for our residents’ daily commutes and neighborhood safety.”