Transportation (Roads & Highways) in Massachusetts

introduced · Massachusetts · House Jul 31, 2026

H 5633: Amendment H.5633

This bill authorizes the transfer of specific state-owned land parcels in Milton from the Department of Conservation and Recreation to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for highway improvements at the intersection of Randolph Avenue and Chickatawbut Road. To offset this loss, the transportation department must pay the conservation department an amount equal to at least 110 percent of the land's fair market value or value in use, whichever is higher. The conservation department is required to deposit these funds into a trust and use them within three years to acquire comparable replacement land for public recreation. Additionally, the bill mandates that an independent appraisal be reviewed by the state inspector general before the land transfer can be finalized.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

introduced · Massachusetts · House Jul 31, 2026

H 5635: Amendment H.5635

This bill authorizes the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to acquire permanent easements from the Andover Conservation Commission for highway construction purposes. The acquisition involves specific land parcels totaling approximately 704 square feet, which will be used for installing guy wires, removing guardrails, and applying special slope paving on a bridge over the Pan MA Railroad. The state agency is required to cover all costs associated with engineering, surveys, appraisals, and deed preparation for this transfer. The legislation is designated as an emergency law to allow for immediate action related to public safety and convenience.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Bridges Rail Roads & Highways

signed · Massachusetts · House Aug 7, 2026

H 5640: An Act authorizing the town of Hingham to grant to the commonwealth of Massachusetts certain parcels of land in the town of Hingham for highway purposes

This bill authorizes the town of Hingham to transfer specific parcels of land, including areas currently used for parks and recreation, to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for highway construction. To offset this loss, the town must dedicate approximately eight acres of municipal land to its conservation commission under state environmental protections. Additionally, the transportation department is required to pay the town at least 110 percent of the appraised fair market value of the transferred lands, with these funds restricted to a dedicated land conservation fund. The legislation also mandates that an inspector general review the property appraisals and report findings to legislative committees before the land transfer is finalized.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

signed · Massachusetts · House Aug 6, 2026

H 5616: An Act authorizing the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to take easements over certain land located in the city of Woburn and the town of Burlington held in trust by the city of Boston for the Mary P. C. Cummings Testamentary Trust for highway purposes

This bill authorizes the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to acquire specific land parcels in Woburn and Burlington from the City of Boston to build a highway intersection improvement project. The acquisition includes temporary construction areas and permanent easements totaling over 13,000 square feet, which the state will pay for entirely. The legislation also confirms that land previously set aside by the town of Burlington as mitigation for this project will remain protected for future improvements.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 30, 2026

H 5601: An Act relative to the department of public works in the town of Barre

This bill reorganizes the Town of Barre's public services by abolishing the existing public works commission and creating a new Department of Public Works. The new department will combine the functions of the current highway, water, sewer, and parks departments into a single entity. It establishes a superintendent appointed by the town's select board to oversee the department, with the town administrator managing the superintendent's employment contract and daily supervision. All existing contracts, records, and equipment from the old departments will automatically transfer to the new department without disrupting current operations.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

signed · Massachusetts · House Aug 6, 2026

H 5614: An Act authorizing the release or exclusion of certain land from conservation restrictions in the town of Deerfield

This bill authorizes the release of a specific 15,977-square-foot parcel of land in Deerfield from conservation restrictions to allow the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to build a bridge over the Deerfield River. The land, currently owned by Great River Hydro, LLC, is being exempted so the town can acquire it for the highway project. In exchange for this release, the town of Deerfield must donate a separate 5.5-acre vacant parcel to the state for conservation and recreation purposes. Additionally, the town is required to provide public access to the donated land and pay the state an amount equal to 110 percent of any difference in value between the land being released and the land being donated. An independent professional appraisal will determine the values involved, and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is responsible for covering all associated costs.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Bridges Roads & Highways

signed · Massachusetts · House Aug 6, 2026

H 5561: An Act authorizing the commissioner of capital asset management and maintenance to transfer certain parcels of land in the town of Norton

This bill authorizes the transfer of two adjacent land parcels in the town of Norton between state agencies to resolve a title issue involving federal highway interests. Under the legislation, the Department of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance will transfer approximately 6.9 acres currently used for wildlife management to the Department of Transportation, while the Department of Transportation will simultaneously transfer about 7.5 acres to the Department of Fish and Game for conservation purposes. The Department of Transportation is required to fund all costs associated with the land exchanges and must ensure that future development of the transferred property includes a roadway or paved access to provide public access to the conservation land.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 22, 2026

S 3182: An Act authorizing the city of Taunton to utilize certain areas of conservation land for road improvements

By Mrs. Dooner and Mr. Orrall of Lakeville, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 3182) of Kelly A. Dooner and Norman J. Orrall (with approval of the mayor and city council) for legislation to authorize the city of Taunton to utilize certain areas of conservation land for road improvements. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✗ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Conservation Roads & Highways Tags Local Government

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 6260: An Act relative to the department of public works in the town of Barre

This bill reorganizes the Town of Barre's government by abolishing the existing Public Works Commission and replacing it with a new Department of Public Works. The new department will consolidate the functions of the previous highway, water, sewer, and parks departments into a single entity. A superintendent will be appointed to lead the department and manage its operations, reporting to the town administrator, while all existing contracts and assets automatically transfer to the new structure.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

introduced · Massachusetts · House Jul 23, 2026

HD 5837: A communication from the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (see Section 2EEEEEE(e) of Chapter 29 of the General Laws) submitting a report on the activities of and expenditures from the Commonwealth Federal Match and Debt Reduction Fund as of June, 2026

This document is a formal report submitted by the Executive Office for Administration and Finance to state legislative committees detailing the status of the Commonwealth Federal Match and Debt Reduction Fund as of June 2026. The report outlines how the fund, established to help Massachusetts compete for federal dollars and reduce debt, has been used to support economic development, transportation, climate initiatives, and municipal projects like road safety and school energy efficiency. It provides a breakdown of financial commitments and expenditures, showing that over $350 million in federal shares have been leveraged with approximately $350 million in state commitments, while also listing specific grants awarded to various agencies and municipalities.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

All transportation bills