FHWA redistributing $171 million to Massachusetts transportation initiatives

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing $171 million in funds for transportation and infrastructure improvements through an annual funding redistribution process. This federal funding will be directed to infrastructure projects across the state and mark a key investment in upgrading the state’s roads, bridges, bike paths and sidewalks.

The funds are a part of the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) annual redistribution process, which reallocates unused transportation funds from other states and distributes them to states that request additional funding on a discretionary basis. The FHWA is allocating these funds to MassDOT to address critical infrastructure needs and support Massachusetts’ goal of improving its transportation network.

To receive FHWA redistributed funds, states must have shovel-ready projects that will begin construction within the current fiscal year. Operating on a “use it or lose it” proposition, the FHWA makes these funds available now, and states will have until Sept. 25 to obligate funding.

The 12 Massachusetts infrastructure projects funded by this redistribution are aimed at enhancing safety, connectivity and overall quality of life improvements in various communities. Primary actions of these projects include road and bridge rehabilitation, bicycle and sidewalk installations, safety improvements outside of schools and roadway resurfacing.

A full list of projects is as follows:

East Street (Route 9) reconstruction in Pittsfield.

Central Street (Route 12) and Bridge No. L-08-022 over Fall Brook River rehabilitation in Leominster.

Route 28 bridge replacement over Bass River and Main Street (Route 28), North Main Street and Old Main Street intersection improvements in Dennis and Yarmouth.

Justice Cushing Highway (Route 3A) and corridor improvements from Beechwood Street to Henry Turner Bailey Road in Cohasset and Scituate.

1.5 miles of Monson Road reconstruction and improvements in Wales.

Centre Street (Route 123), Cary Street and Lyman Street intersection improvements in Brockton.

Route 110 resurfacing and related work in Lowell, Dracut and Methuen.

Broadway (Route 138) corridor improvements and related work from Purchase Street to Jackson Street in Taunton.

Roadway safety improvements near Robinson Park Elementary School in Agawam.

Bicycle path construction along Lawrence Manchester Rail Corridor rail trail in Lawrence.

Bicycle path construction along the Independence Greenway Extension in Peabody.

Sidewalk installation on Route 28 from Bank Street to Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich.

For the 2024 fiscal year, the FHWA issued nearly $8.7 billion in unspent highway funds, a rise of about $750 million from the 2023 fiscal year annual redistribution. This year, Massachusetts’ funds represent nearly double the average annual redistribution funding the state has received over the past four years, averaging $94.3 million.

Government Market News has reached out to MassDOT for specific funding allocations for each project but hasn’t received a response. This story will be updated as more information is released.

Photo by Tom Shamberger on Unsplash