Cities and towns get state funds for roads

By Maureen Costello, Globe Correspondent, 10/2/2003

For Frank McCann, Lawrence's director of public works, an additional $638,875 from the state will be a boost to the city's roadway improvement program.

"We were hoping for it," said McCann. "It's going to be put to good use."

Like every community in Massachusetts, Lawrence learned last week that it would receive a portion of the $100 million in state Chapter 90 funds for roads and bridges.

The state has released the money annually for the last five years, said Jon Carlisle, spokesperson for the Massachusetts Highway Department

The money comes from bonds, and communities must use the funds toward Governor Mitt Romney's Fix It First program, said Carlisle. The object of the program, he said, "is for the local highway departments to focus on the existing infrastructure before building or widening new roads."

Massachusetts, being one of the first states, has one of the oldest infrastructures in the nation, said Carlisle, and the Fix It First program is designed to preserve the original roadwork when possible.

The amount of funding for each community is based on its miles of public roads, population, and employment. Boston received the highest allotment, $7.2 million.

Officials in Billerica, which received $655,888, have not yet set a priority list, said John Livsey, interim director of the Department of Public Works and the town engineer.

"We'll put it into the roadway management program," said Livsey. "We'll decide the streets to be done in December, when the construction slows down."

In Lawrence, McCann said the city has earmarked a few streets for renovations, beginning with Basswood, Park and Gale streets and Josephine Avenue. "Those are the primary ones right now," he said.