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H 5375

An Act financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Broadly authorizes up to $1.4B in bonds to fund municipal roads, bridges, rail, and housing-related transportation projects, speeding long-term, multi-modal improvements.

Laid before the Governor
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Bill Summary · H 5375

Summary: H.5375 (194th MA General Court) – An Act financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges

Purpose and intent

  • Authorizes a comprehensive set of transportation funding measures to finance long-term improvements to municipal roads, bridges, and related infrastructure.
  • Declares the act an emergency law to enable immediate funding for transportation improvements.
  • The plan envisions using state General Fund and Commonwealth Transportation Fund resources to support capital projects and, potentially, housing-related transportation investments.

Key provisions and funding allocations

Bond authority and financing

  • The bill authorizes the issuance of Commonwealth Transportation Improvement Act bonds totaling up to $1.4 billion, to be issued by the state Treasurer upon gubernatorial request, with a maximum term not exceeding 30 years.
  • Bonds issued under sections 2 through 2B may be general obligation bonds or, at the Governor’s request, special obligation bonds under Chapter 29, Section 2O. Interest and principal may be paid from the General Fund or the Commonwealth Transportation Fund.
  • All bonds shall be labeled “Commonwealth Transportation Improvement Act of 2026,” with a maturity date not later than June 30, 2066.

Section 2: Highway Division – Municipal roads

  • Item 6122-2730: Up to $300,000,000 for construction and reconstruction of municipal roads (municipal ways) per procedures established by the Department of Transportation (DOT).
  • Conditions:
    • Municipalities may spend up to the annual pre-approval amount for projects after preliminary notice from DOT (by March 1 each year) without further appropriation.
    • Reimbursements to municipalities occur within 30 days of request, subject to funding availability (section 9G of Chapter 29).
    • Up to $100,000,000 of this item is allocated to be distributed to municipalities based on local road mileage using DOT procedures.
    • Municipalities must certify actual expenditures, project completion, and compliance with specifications and applicable laws.
    • DOT shall encourage long-term capital planning by municipalities.

Section 2A: Highway Division – Asset management and housing-related transportation

  • Item 6121-2717: $500,000,000 for the bridge and pavement lifecycle asset management program.

    • Expenditures cover design, construction, repair, lifecycle management of non-federally aided roadways and bridges, including nonparticipating federal projects and state/municipal roads.
    • May include engineering, design, permitting, climate resilience, and matching grants to municipalities for surface-condition repairs.
    • Can fund bicycle/pedestrian improvements and resilience-oriented features.
    • Emphasis on lifecycle asset management and resilient design.

  • Item 6121-2768: $200,000,000 for a transportation capital projects program to support housing development.

    • Covers planning, design, engineering, and construction related to transportation infrastructure (roads, bridges, culverts, bike/pedestrian, safety, accessibility, landscaping, lighting, climate resilience, stormwater).
    • DOT must coordinate with Housing and Livable Communities and Administration and Finance on project prioritization.
    • May provide grants to municipalities for housing-related transportation projects.

  • Item 6121-2737: $200,000,000 for the Parkway Resilience Improvement and Safety Modernization (PRISM) program

    • Accelerated maintenance, modernization, and safety improvements for multi-modal transportation infrastructure under the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
    • Includes planning, design, engineering, and projects related to roadways, bridges, pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure, safety, lighting, signage, and climate resilience.
    • Coordination with Energy and Environment and Administration and Finance; respect historical parkways where practicable.

Section 2B: Office of the Secretary – Rail improvements

  • Item 6622-2747: $200,000,000 for rail improvements under Chapter 161A
    • Upgrades and modernization of commuter rail vehicles, procurement of new locomotives, planning, design, and acquisition.

Amendments to existing appropriation totals

  • Section 3: Increases the previously authorized amount (Chapter 176, Acts of 2022) for item 6121-2214 from $2,812,457,157 to $5,112,457,157.
  • Section 4: Increases item 6121-2217 from $1,270,000,000 to $2,070,000,000.
  • Section 5: Increases item 6121-2228 from $25,000,000 to $90,000,000.
  • Section 6: Increases item 6720-2258 from $10,000,000 to $22,000,000.
  • Sections 7–9: Various adjustments to totals within the existing bond program and related funds (specific dollar figures adjusted to reflect the new, larger program).

Affected entities and beneficiaries

  • Municipalities: Eligible for direct funding for road and bridge projects, with streamlined reimbursement and annual pre-approval mechanics.
  • State agencies: Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), Office of the Secretary, and other state departments (Housing and Livable Communities; Administration and Finance; Energy and Environment) for project coordination, planning, and implementation.
  • Community planning and housing sectors: Housing-related transportation capital projects and grants to support development.
  • Rail users: Commuter rail enhancements and potential procurement of new rail vehicles.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective as an emergency law to allow immediate funding and project initiation.
  • Annual procedural steps include:
    • DOT provides preliminary notice of available funding to municipalities by March 1 each year.
    • Municipalities certify actual expenditures and project completion to DOT.
    • Reimbursements processed within 30 days of request, subject to fund availability.
  • Bond issuance timing: Treasurer may issue bonds upon Governor’s request, with a maximum aggregate amount of $1.4 billion and terms up to 30 years; bonds payable from General Fund or Commonwealth Transportation Fund.
  • Some amendments adjust prior appropriation levels to align with the new funding scale.

Overall impact

  • Significantly expands funding for municipal transportation improvements across the Commonwealth.
  • Advances long-term roadway and bridge asset management, resilience, and modernization.
  • Supports housing-transportation integration and multi-modal infrastructure improvements.
  • Provides for rail modernization and capacity enhancements.
  • Establishes a large, multi-year bonding program to finance these initiatives, with streamlined processes to accelerate project delivery.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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