On Feb. 3, 2026, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced $1 million in funding for local transportation planning through its new Local Early and Actionable Planning (LEAP) Program.
The LEAP Program aims to help municipalities, especially rural and underserved communities, by providing early-stage planning and design support for transportation projects. The initiative is intended to assist communities in initiating projects that improve roads, bridges, and overall quality of life.
“The LEAP Program is a critical investment in the future of our communities,” Governor Maura Healey said. “When municipalities get the assistance they need early on, they can plan for more efficient and effective projects that improve our roads and bridges, reduce congestion and improve quality of life. We are committed to supporting these communities as they work to restore, repair and enhance key transportation projects while advancing local priorities across the state.” According to MassDOT, the program was launched earlier this year.
Lieutenant Governor Kimberley Driscoll said, “Effective planning is the foundation of strong communities, and the LEAP program gives municipalities the tools they need to do that work well (…) This program helps municipal workers build capacity, engage their communities and move from vision to implementation with confidence. By supporting these planning efforts, we help cities and towns make smarter decisions, reduce future costs and deliver better outcomes for residents.”
Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng said, “The Healey-Driscoll Administration is leading the way to ensure that the state is doing all we can to support our municipal partners. With wise investments being made, MassDOT will provide communities across Massachusetts with technical assistance to facilitate critical infrastructure projects (…) MassDOT stands ready to work together with our municipal partners as they make safety and accessibility upgrades to their infrastructure improving quality for all we serve.”
The inaugural cohort includes municipalities such as Belchertown (State Street Corridor Study), Becket (High Street Improvement Project), Everett (Traffic Calming Prioritization Plan), Northfield (Parker Avenue Sidewalk Project), West Bridgewater (Realign Lincoln Street South/Elm Street), among others. Activities supported by LEAP include conceptual design analyses, safety studies, cost estimation support, early-stage engineering for smaller-scale projects, and federal grant application development.
The program is funded through Governor Healey’s Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Investment Plan as part of MassDOT’s capital budget. Municipal leaders interested in future rounds can find information on eligibility and applications at the MassDOT Municipal Planning and Support website. Requests not selected this round will be considered again in fiscal year 2027 beginning July 2026.
