NEW STATE FUNDING FOR ROADS RELEASED TO CAPE ANN COMMUNITIES

Gloucester Receives $494,145

4/12/07 

BOSTON- State Senate Assistant Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) and State Representatives Anthony Verga (D-Gloucester) and Bradford Hill (R-Ipswich) have joined with Governor Deval Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray in announcing the release of $865,225 in Chapter 90 funding for roadway construction and maintenance to the Cape Ann Communities of Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea.

 The availability of this Chapter 90 funding results from a collaboration between the Legislature and the Patrick Administration.  On March 23, the House and Senate approved the $1.47 Billion “Immediate Needs” bond bill which authorized the $150 million in capital spending for the program.  This total represents a 25% increase over the funding provided last year.

 The specific amounts of funding received by each community are as follows:

                               Gloucester: $494,145

                                Rockport: $153,665

                                Essex: $103,817

                                Manchester-by-the-Sea: $113,598

 “Safe and dependable rounds and bridges are essential to our communities, and yet repairing and maintaining them strains municipal budgets,” said Tarr.  He added that “Chapter 90 funding is an important element of local aid that directly addresses this issue, and I’m pleased that we are giving it the emphasis the program deserves.”

 Representative Hill said, “Infrastructure has been a top priority for all communities across the state, this infusion of funding guarantees the state’s partnership with cities and towns for this upcoming construction season.”

 “We are thankful for this money being available, hopefully the deplorable roads that we have been riding over will be paved over for a smoother ride,” said Representative Verga