State Awards Newton More In Road, Transportation Funding

NEWTON, MA — The state on Wednesday announced an additional $40 million in Fiscal Year 2019 funding for road construction and transportation improvements in several municipalities, bringing the total funding to $2.7 million for Newton.

"This funding represents our continued commitment to supporting communities as they address the maintenance and modernization of local roads, which are a critical part of the Commonwealth's transportation network," Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement about the additional round of funding.

Included in the funding is an additional $459,787 for Newton. The city previously received $2,298,936 in the original round of funding. The grand total for FY 2019 for Newton? $2,758,723.

The award comes as Newton is in the middle of or poised to take on a number of transportation projects. In her recent address on the city's Capital Investment Plan Mayor Ruthanne Fuller specifically noted that the city was planning to upgrade roads, sidewalks and bike lanes and address traffic signals.

The mayor's office said it was too early to tell how the money would be spent.

DPW did not immediately respond to request for comment.

The money comes from Chapter 90 infrastructure funds, which has given $900 million to communities since the Baker-Polito administration took office in 2015, according to a state press release. Chapter 90 funding is determined by a formula that includes population, road miles and employment and is open to all communities in Massachusetts.

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Where would you like to see the money used? Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).

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Photo by Renee Schiavone/ Patch Staff.