State Awards Manchester $224,510 in Chapter 90 Funding

Manchester-by-the-Sea is slated to receive $224,510 in state funding for local road and bridge projects under the Commonwealth's Chapter 90 transportation program.

The funding was included in a $2.737 billion transportation infrastructure bond bill recently approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Maura Healey on June 11.  The measure authorizes the distribution of $300 million statewide in Chapter 90 funding for Fiscal Year 2027.

According to Sen. Bruce Tarr and Rep. Dru Tarr, Manchester's allocation includes $144,189 through the traditional Chapter 90 formula, which is based on local road mileage, population and employment levels, plus an additional $80,321 distributed according to road mileage alone.

"Chapter 90 provides a critical funding stream for municipal road and bridge projects," Sen. Tarr said in a statement.  "With the Governor's signature, Manchester-by-the-Sea will be able to capture this year's construction season with the resources the town needs to build and maintain safe and efficient transportation infrastructure."

It is not clear how the funds will be applied.  For the last three years, Manchester has been challenged with funding blocks connected to a long-planned rehabilitation of the Central Street culvert under an historic, small bridge at the corner of Central and Elm Streets.  Besides crossing over Saw Mill Brook, the Central Street culvert also houses Cape Ann's only secondary electrical trunk line, so its also critical to the region's economic engine.  The project was approved for an estimated $5 million federal FEMA grant associated with coastal resiliancy, but the monies were pulled back after being appropriated by a vote of the US Congress as part of widespread cuts to federal programs.  The Commonwealth is part of a coalition of states suing the federal government over the project's funding.   

The FEMA funding is expected to come through in the end, and in case it doesn't, the communities of Rockport, Gloucester, and Essex have joined Manchester in aplying for a state economic development grant as a collective.   Manchester voters have also agreed to let the town borrow money for the project in the unlikely event that every path to funds dries up.

Rep. Tarr said the funding will help communities address infrastructure needs and maintain safe transportation networks. 

Created in 1973, the Chapter 90 program helps cities and towns pay for the construction, repair and maintenance of local roads and bridges. Funds may also be used for sidewalks, bicycle lanes, traffic signals and other transportation improvements.

The transportation bond bill also includes funding for several statewide initiatives, including $500 million for bridge and pavement management projects, $200 million for transportation capital projects, $200 million for Department of Conservation and Recreation roadway improvements, and $200 million for rail infrastructure upgrades.