About ‭$7,820,310 of that will be heading to the Berkshires with the largest amount — $1.4 million — going to Pittsfield and its nearly 200 miles of roads. The second largest amount  of $435,324 goes to the county's other city, North Adams, which has just over 70 miles of road. Berkshire County total has about ‭1,598.63‬ miles of locally governed roads. 

 

Boston, not surprisingly, gets the highest amount at $14.7 million for 790 miles of road. 

 

Apportionment is based on road miles, population based on the latest U.S. Census and employment. The program is partially funded through the gas tax.‬

 

Since taking office in 2015, and including the FY20 signed bill, the Baker-Polito administration has awarded a total of $1.14 billion through the Chapter 90 formula, including $100 million on its first day in office.

 

"Chapter 90 funding provides cities and towns with critical resources to carry out important projects like highway construction and road paving to improve local infrastructure in communities across Massachusetts," Baker said in a statement. "We thank the Legislature for working with our administration to pass this bill and continue our support for local officials this construction season."

 

Other than the extra $100 million four years ago, the amount of funding has been generally flat over the past seven years while costs have increased. Reconstructing one mile of road now hovers around $1 million and many smaller towns save up their Chapter 90 funds until they can be used more efficiently in terms of road repair or equipment.

 

The Massachusetts Municipal Association has been advocating for an increase in the program, estimating it would take nearly $700 million a year to properly maintain the state's 30,000 miles of local roads.  

 

Chapter 90 reimburses cities and towns for costs incurred for eligible transportation projects. Cities and towns must submit receipts to the state Department of Transportation's Highway Division district in which they are located which verifies that the expenditures qualify for reimbursement under Chapter 90. The Highway Districts in turn submit these receipts to the Department of Transportation's Fiscal Department, which facilitates the reimbursements to cities and towns.