Massachusetts is making a historic investment in its transportation infrastructure, and this time, Western Massachusetts is a major priority.

Governor Maura Healey has unveiled an $8.4 billion plan to modernize roads, bridges, and public transit across the state. The plan focuses on long-overdue repairs and climate resilience in the Berkshires and surrounding communities.

“For too long, this region has been overlooked, and we’re making a commitment to change that,” said Governor Healey during a press conference in Lenox.

A central component of the plan is a 50% increase in Chapter 90 funding for local roads, which will ensure smaller communities receive the resources they need for necessary repairs and improvements.

Additionally, with climate change bringing more frequent and severe flooding, Healey’s proposal includes $200 million for upgrading culverts and small bridges—infrastructure crucial in preventing road closures and public safety hazards.

“When a road crosses a stream, there’s a culvert, and many of them are over 50 years old and undersized,” said Rebecca Tepper, Massachusetts Secretary of Energy & Environmental Affairs. “They were designed for the weather of the past, not the future.”

The Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation, Monica Tibbits-Nutt, emphasized the plan’s environmental benefits, stating that coordinating road and bridge repairs with local agencies will help improve water quality and strengthen infrastructure against extreme weather events.

Governor Healey assured residents that the transportation initiative would be fully funded through existing revenue streams without any tax increases.

“This region contributes so much to our state’s economy—through tourism, agriculture, and culture—and deserves better support from the state,” Healey said. “This plan will help ensure safer communities and stronger infrastructure for years to come.”

Local officials say they will continue working closely with the state legislature to oversee the plan’s implementation and ensure the Berkshires receive their fair share of improvements.