Bill > H4424

This bill authorizes funding for transportation improvements, allocating $750,000,000 for projects on the federal highway system, including non-federal portions and essential services, with the condition that obligations are based on federal funding commitments and sufficient state funds. It also dedicates $50,000,000 to a "Small Bridge Program" for the design, construction, and repair of non-federally aided bridges and their approaches, requiring municipalities to follow specific procedures and contribute funding, with limitations on distribution across highway districts and a focus on need-based and geographic distribution. Furthermore, the bill establishes a "Complete Streets Program" within the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to provide grants to municipalities that adopt policies to accommodate multiple modes of transportation, such as walking, cycling, and driving, requiring municipalities to apply, adopt approved policies, train employees, and develop prioritization plans. The bill also makes changes to how bonds are issued and accounted for, specifically regarding special obligation bonds and their inclusion in debt limits, and amends existing laws to remove a specific appropriation for environmental protection along highways in Needham while adding a new appropriation for the same purpose. Finally, it authorizes the issuance of bonds totaling $135,000,000 for transportation improvements and $50,000,000 for the small bridge program, with repayment from the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and a maximum maturity date of June 30, 2051, and allows MassDOT to enter into agreements with other public agencies for project implementation.