BOSTON – In his first official vote as a member of the Joint Committee on Transportation, State Representative David K. Muradian, Jr. (R-Grafton) threw his support behind a bill authorizing the release of $200 million in local road and bridge repair funding under the state’s Chapter 90 program.
The bill, An Act Financing Improvements to Municipal Roads and Bridges, was filed by Governor Charlie Baker on March 12 and was the subject of a public hearing before the Transportation Committee on Friday, March 20. After listening to testimony from municipal officials concerned about roads littered with potholes and curb cuts damaged by snow plows, Representative Muradian joined with his fellow committee members in unanimously endorsing the bill’s passage.
“It was clear based on today’s testimony that cities and towns are eager to see this money released so they can begin to address the many urgent public safety concerns that have been created by this winter’s record-setting snowfall,” said Representative Muradian. “I’m proud to cast my first committee vote for such an important piece of legislation, and want my constituents to know that I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that this critical funding reaches our communities as quickly as possible.”
The state’s Chapter 90 program allocates funding for road and bridge maintenance and repairs using a formula that is based on a weighted average of a city or town’s population, employment, and total mileage of roads.
Governor Baker previously released $100 million in Chapter 90 bond funding in January, shortly after taking office. That money, along with the $200 million approved by the Transportation Committee, will be used by municipalities during the 2015 construction season, which runs from April to November.
The bill now heads to the House Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets for further action.
UPTON DAILY 