State Releases $30 Million for Pothole Repairs
.JPG) North Adams crews patching potholes on Eagle Street. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The state announced good news on Wednesday for motorists tired of slamming into the proliferating potholes along the region's byways.
The new Pothole and Winter Recovery Program will dump some $40 million to smooth over the scarred and cracked pavement and infrastructure damaged by the long, long winter.
"We experienced an extraordinary winter season that caused damage to our roads, bridges, and vehicles well beyond the typical year,” MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard Davey said in announcing the program in Dorchester. "This one-time, targeted program will speed repair and recovery and maintain safe travel for motorists."
Thirty million of the funds will be distributed to cities and towns through Chapter 90; remaining $10 million will be used by the state Highway Division.
The program is funded through existing year authorizations available to the department prior to the expected passage of the Transportation Bond Bill and requires all work to be completed by this September.
The funds can be used for pothole repairs and other seasonal road damage, as well as damaged equipment and facilities and other projects approved by MassDOT.
The state agency reported it has received nearly 1,700 pothole reports and has spent more than $880,000 in repairs. By comparison, the $40 million allocated for the recovery program could pave 530 lane miles of roadway based on current pricing. Boston has filled more than 10,000 potholes since January.
Sandisfield Town Administrator Lisa Blackmer, also a North Adams city councilor, spoke Tuesday before the monthly Local Government Advisory Committee in Boston on the need for the state to provide hard-pressed municipalities with funding for road repairs and snow and ice budget overruns.
"I am pleased that the governor, [Executive Office for Administration and Finance] Secretary Glen Shor and Secretary Davey listened to our concerns and are providing funds to the cities and towns to make the necessary repairs to roads and equipment," she said. "It was a difficult winter throughout the state and these unexpected expenses put an added burden on already strained budgets."
Sandisfield has more than 80 miles of road and will get about $50,000.
Geoffrey C. Beckwith, the executive director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, applauded the move.
"This year's punishing winter has damaged local roads, generated countless potholes, and placed a huge burden on local taxpayers as municipal leaders work to shore up their crumbling roadways," Beckwith said. "Communities will put these funds to immediate use rebuilding and repairing roads in every corner of Massachusetts, which will save money, help our economy and improve public safety."
Tags: Chapter 90, potholes, road work,
