Rural Roadway Funding Program

A program to support the construction and reconstruction of municipal ways.

In 2023, Chapter 27 authorized $25 million in funding to support the construction and reconstruction of municipal ways. In 2024, Chapter 89 authorized an additional $25 million. Per both legislations, these funds are to be distributed to all 351 municipalities in the Commonwealth using a formula based on local road mileage, municipal population, and rurality. A municipality is considered rural for the purposes of this funding if it has a population of less than 10,000 and a population density under 500 people per square mile.

Apportionments for Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2025 for each city and town are shown at the end of this page. Apportionments have been added to each municipality’s existing Chapter 90 contract and are readily available for use. These funds must be spent in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Chapter 90 Program. Municipalities must submit a Project Request in advance of starting any project that uses these funds. Similar to the Chapter 90 Program, all state procurement and prequalification regulations apply. There is no deadline to spend these funds.

Please visit the Chapter 90 Program website for details on project eligibility, project approval, and the reimbursement process. For further questions, please contact your District State Aid Staff.

Authorizing legislation from:

Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Acts of 2023, Chapter 27:

6122-2128… For a program to support the construction and reconstruction of municipal ways; provided, that funds shall be distributed to municipalities based on a formula established by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation; provided further, that said formula shall provide funding to all municipalities and shall be based on local road mileage, population and whether the municipality is considered rural; provided further, that a municipality shall be considered rural for purposes of this item if it has a population of less than 10,000 and a population density under 500 people per square mile; provided further, that not less than 45 days after the effective date of this act, the department shall submit a proposed distribution formula to the chairs of the joint committee on transportation who, within 30 days of such referral, may hold a public hearing and issue a report to the department on the proposed formula; provided further, that if the joint committee provides a report within the 30-day period, the department shall not finalize a formula until it has considered any revisions or other information contained in the report from the joint committee; and provided further, that funds from this item shall not be distributed earlier than 90 days after the effective date of this act..........................$25,000,000

MGL Acts of 2024, Chapter 89:

6122-2128... For the rural road program to support the construction and reconstruction of municipal ways established by chapter 27 of the acts of 2023; provided, that funds shall be distributed to all municipalities based on a formula with the following weighed factors: 20 per cent based on local road mileage; 20 per cent based on population; and 60 per cent based on whether the municipality is considered rural; and provided further, that a municipality shall be considered rural for the purposes of this item if it has a population of less than 10,000 and a population density under 500 people per square mile........................................... $25,000,000

FY25 Rural Roadways Apportionments.csv