Worcester Will Get $400K Slice Of New MassDOT Funds

WORCESTER, MA — For the first time since 2016, Worcester and other cities and towns will see a measurable boost in state transportation funds this year. On Monday, MassDOT and Gov. Charlie Baker announced a $20 million increase in Chapter 90 funds for communities across the state.

Each year, the state sets Chapter 90 allotments for all cities and towns, but the state hasn't budgeted more than about $200 million since 2016. A supplemental budget passed in December included an additional $20 million.

The Chapter 90 program reimburses cities and towns for a huge array of transportation expenses — everything from buying streetlights to designing roadway improvements. The state funds the program through bonds.

Worcester will get $408,626 from that new $20 million allotment, putting the city's Chapter 90 total at $4,494,889 for the 2020 fiscal year. That's up about $400,000 from fiscal year 2019.

Here's a look back at Chapter 90 allotments for Worcester since 2015:

• FY2020 — $4,494,889
• FY2019 — $4,094,224
• FY2018 — $4,078,930
• FY2017 — $4,078,385
• FY2016 — $4,100,111
• FY2015 — $6,164,215