AASHTO Journal - MassDOT Updates, Streamlines Municipal Grant Programs

The Highway Division of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation recently made updates to “Grant Central,” which is a one-stop shop for MassDOT’s municipal grant programs.

[Above photo by MassDOT]

The agency said those updates include launching two new grant programs and implementing a fully integrated application or “FIA” that will serve as an all-in-one funding request application used for all of the MassDOT Highway Division’s competitive grant programs.

Municipalities may now apply for design support and up to $1 million in construction funding for a single transportation project – nothing that multiple grant programs can be used to fund a single project based on size and scope.

The agency added that “Grant Central” serves as a single streamlined portal that manages MassDOT Highway Division’s eight municipal grant programs, comprised of the Chapter 90 Program, Complete Streets Funding Program, Shared Streets and Spaces Program, Municipal Pavement Program, Municipal Small Bridge Program, the Local Bottleneck Reduction Program, Community Culverts Program, and the Unpaved Roads Program.  

The new FIA combines the applications of all MassDOT Highway Division competitive grant programs into one easy-to-use application. By utilizing what the agency described as “unique logic,” grant applications – which are accepted twice per year – only ask relevant questions based on user inputs. Then, by using the project scope, MassDOT matches the request to the appropriate funding programs for consideration. With FIA, municipalities no longer need to research which grant program to apply to or manage various program deadlines.   

Grant Central will also now accept applications for two new programs; the Community Culverts Program and the Unpaved Roads Program. The Community Culverts Program provides funding to municipalities and tribal governments for culvert modernization, reconstruction, removal, repair, replacement, and resiliency and biodiversity improvements. Meanwhile, the Unpaved Roads Program supports the maintenance, repair, and improvement of locally owned dirt and gravel roads across Massachusetts.  

“Grant Central is a game-changer for municipal leaders. It’s a one stop shop for leaders to find out what grant programs they have available to them and as a former mayor, I’m thrilled that we’re making it easier for municipal leaders to deliver for their communities,” said Massachusetts Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll (D) in a statement. “We’re committed to ensuring our 351 cities and towns can thrive, and these new grants and this application system will give them the resources and tools to do that.”

“Since its launch, Grant Central has set the standard for directing resources to communities to address unmet needs in all corners of the Commonwealth,” added Jonathan Gulliver, MassDOT’s undersecretary and state highway administrator.  “With the addition of two new grant programs and by raising the cap on construction funding, Grant Central takes that standard for how we support all 351 cities and towns to completely new heights.”