The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced it had awarded $11.26 million in grants to 48 communities to improve locally owned dirt and gravel roads.
The funding is part of the Unpaved Roads Program designed to help cities and towns maintain, repair, and improve locally owned unpaved roads across the state. The inaugural round of funding will support safer travel, strengthen local infrastructure and improve access to residents, businesses and emergency responders, the department said.
“Every community deserves safe, reliable roads that people can count on to get to work, school and home,” Gov. Maura Healey. “These grants will help cities and towns make important improvements to local roads that residents, businesses and emergency responders use every day. We’re proud to partner with municipalities across Massachusetts to make these investments that strengthen infrastructure, improve safety and support local communities.”
The Unpaved Roads Grant program was launched in 2025 to help address unpaved road maintenance. The awards include 48 grants, including two design grants, 32 equipment grants and 14 construction grants. The awards also include 18 additional grants made possible through the $3.75 million that was included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Fair Share supplemental budget. The additional funding allowed MassDOT to expand this first round of awards to support more local road improvement.
“The Healey-Driscoll Administration continues to deliver for our residents, businesses, cities and towns with Fair Share funds to support municipalities under the Unpaved Roads Program. These grants help communities address important local transportation needs that have a direct impact, improving everyday travel, safety, and quality of life for the public,” Interim Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng said. “By supporting the maintenance, repair, and improvement of dirt and gravel roads, MassDOT is helping municipalities strengthen local infrastructure and improve reliability with targeted investments that serve residents and businesses across Massachusetts.”
Administered through MassDOT’s Grant Central portal, the grants included $500,000 for construction for Barre, $115,000 for design work for Richmond, and $92,417.48 for Princeton.