Transportation (Roads & Highways)

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 12, 2026

S 2439: Resolve relative to a VFW Parkway master plan special commission

By Mr. Rush, a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 2439) of Michael F. Rush and Paul McMurtry that provisions be made for an investigation and study by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to the development, maintenance and improvement of the Veterans of Foreign War Highway. Transportation.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes commission to study VFW Highway development/maintenance, indicating proactive support for infrastructure improvement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 641: An Act relative to the Move Over Law

HD 641 amends Massachusetts' Move Over Law to require drivers to change lanes when passing certain vehicles. It adds "utility vehicle" (used for emergency repairs of power, gas, or communications) and "disabled vehicle" (abandoned or inoperable) to the list of vehicles drivers must move over for. This directly affects all drivers on roads, requiring them to adjust lanes for utility workers' vehicles and stranded cars, in addition to existing maintenance vehicles. The bill updates the legal definitions within the law to expand protections for these specific vehicle types during road operations.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAmends Move Over Law to require lane changes for utility/disabled vehicles, enhancing road safety for workers and stranded motorists.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1152: An Act relative to interstate highway noise abatement in certain cities and towns

This bill requires the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to conduct a noise study along interstate highways in Bedford, Burlington, and Woburn. The study, to be performed by an acoustical engineer, will measure traffic noise levels and assess impacts on nearby areas, then recommend abatement methods like noise barriers. Results must be submitted to state legislative committees by June 1, 2026. The study directly affects residents in those communities who experience highway noise. It mandates a specific assessment without implementing new policies.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires noise study and abatement recommendations for highways, addressing infrastructure impacts on residents, aligning with improving transportation infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1149: An Act relative to roadway damage

This bill requires state officials to report certain roadway accident damage to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (DOT). Specifically, it mandates that the registrar issue a report within 30 days when an accident results in a fatality, injury, or damage exceeding $1,000 to a vehicle or property. The report must detail public roadway damage caused by such incidents. This creates a new administrative requirement for state officials to document and share this information with the DOT.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates reporting of roadway damage to DOT, enabling data-driven infrastructure safety improvements and maintenance planning.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2657: An Act relative to excavation restoration on public ways

This bill requires anyone excavating public roads, sidewalks, or curbs (with a permit) to fully restore the surface to its original condition or better at their own expense. They must use the same materials and match existing markings like crosswalks and bike lanes, following Department of Public Utilities rules. The excavator remains responsible for any damage to the restored surface for one year after work is completed. This directly affects utility companies, contractors, and other entities performing underground work on public rights-of-way.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires excavators to fully restore public roads/sidewalks to original condition with matching materials, protecting transportation infrastructure integrity and safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2732: An Act relative to unpaved roads

HD 2732 directs Massachusetts' transportation and environmental agencies to create a working group focused on dirt and gravel roads (unpaved) and low-volume paved roads. The group must analyze maintenance costs, climate impacts, and funding gaps for municipalities where unpaved roads exceed 20% of county road mileage, and identify best practices. Key tasks include building a road database, assessing costs over five years, and researching potential standards. The working group must submit findings to state legislators by June 30, 2026, to inform future policy. This bill affects local governments managing these road types but does not create new funding or regulations.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates working group to analyze unpaved road maintenance, climate impacts, and funding gaps, aiming to improve infrastructure management and identify best practices for transportation infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 1726: An Act relative to equity in tolling

This bill (SD 1726) amends state law to expand the Massachusetts tolling authority by explicitly authorizing the collection of tolls on specific interstate and state highways at the Massachusetts border. It adds 12 designated routes - including I-90, I-95, Route 3, Route 7, and others - where tolls may be charged for transit across state lines. The bill directly affects drivers using these border crossings, as it formalizes the state's existing ability to collect tolls on those routes. It does not change toll rates or create new fees, but rather clarifies the legal authority for current toll collection practices.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill authorizes toll collection on key highways (I-90, I-95, etc.), enabling funding for transportation infrastructure through expanded tolling authority.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 2497: An Act improving safety measures for highway maintenance personnel

This bill amends Massachusetts law to enhance safety protections for highway maintenance workers. It adds a specific provision requiring that all authorized motor vehicles used by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) or its contractors in highway work zones must have a permit issued by the registrar. The change directly affects DOT personnel and contractors performing maintenance or construction activities in active highway work zones. The key mechanism is explicitly including these vehicles under the safety regulations governing work zone operations. This is a technical update to existing law, not a new policy initiative.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly enhances workplace safety for highway maintenance workers by requiring vehicle permits in work zones, directly protecting workers' safety in their employment context.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly enhances safety protections for highway maintenance workers through new vehicle permit requirements, directly improving transportation infrastructure safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3924: An Act permitting municipal expenditures for the maintenance of private roads

This bill allows Massachusetts municipalities to use public funds to maintain private roads under specific conditions. It directly affects towns and cities, as well as property owners on private roads serving at least 100 residential properties that pay municipal property taxes. To qualify, the road must be the primary access for those properties, have historical significance to the municipality, and not be maintained by a developer under an agreement. Municipalities must create bylaws outlining maintenance terms and report annual expenditures to the state Department of Revenue. The law aims to clarify when public funds can be used for private road upkeep while ensuring transparency.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllows public funding for maintaining private roads serving residential properties, directly supporting transportation infrastructure upkeep.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1169: An Act prohibiting the practice of coal rolling

HD 1169 prohibits "coal rolling," a practice where diesel vehicle operators deliberately emit excessive soot or smoke to obstruct visibility. The bill bans retrofitting vehicles to increase emissions and prohibits intentionally releasing large amounts of soot or smoke that blocks views of roadways, traffic devices, or other drivers. It directly affects operators of diesel-powered vehicles, such as truckers, who might engage in this hazardous behavior. Violators face fines between $100 and $1,000. The law aims to improve roadway safety by eliminating this specific hazard.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits diesel soot emissions that obstruct visibility, directly reducing air pollution and protecting public health/environmental quality per bill's focus on banning excessive smoke/soot.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill bans hazardous diesel emissions (coal rolling) that obstruct road visibility, directly enhancing transportation safety by preventing accidents caused by reduced visibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

Track