Stoneham To Receive $470K+ In Chapter 90 Funding

STONEHAM, MA — Stoneham will receive $473,284 to help fund its transportation infrastructure upgrades in Fiscal Year 2021. House Bill 4803, a statewide bond authorization pertaining to roads and bridges, was enacted by the House of Representatives on June 30 and by the Senate on July 2. The bill authorizes $200 million in spending under the state's Chapter 90 program and is now on Gov. Baker's desk.

Established by the Legislature in 1973, the Chapter 90 program provides funding to municipalities on an annual basis to assist with critical transportation infrastructure projects, including road and bridge repairs. The funding is allocated using a formula that is based on the weighted average of a community's population, employment and total road miles.

"Leaders at the state and local level continue to work together to ensure that our public infrastructure and transportation network are safe, reliable and useful," Sen. Jason Lewis said in a statement. "Even in the face of a global pandemic and an economic recession, I believe that investment in our infrastructure must remain a top priority to ensure the safety and prosperity of our communities and our region."

Chapter 90 funding can be used for a variety of purposes, including road resurfacing, sidewalks, street lighting, traffic control measures, and roadside drainage. Municipalities can also use the money for the purchase, replacement and long-term lease of road building machinery, equipment and tools.

"This investment in our infrastructure is essential if we are going to keep our communities moving forward," Rep. Michael Day said in a statement. "Maintaining and improving our roads, bridges and sidewalks are hugely important to our local businesses and our residents, and this new funding stream will provide Stoneham with the tools necessary for those tasks."