HOLYOKE, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) -- Western Mass News is getting answers on a three and a half million-dollar proposal in Holyoke that aims to fix dozens of roads which city leaders consider to be in “poor condition.”

It’s not a typical financial proposal; it’s more of a loan that the city would pay back over time. The reason: the city doesn’t receive enough funding from the state to keep up with their deteriorating roads.

Each year, Massachusetts gives Holyoke 1.4 million dollars through Chapter 90, also known as state highway funds.

This sounds like a lot, but the total backlog of road repairs is estimated to be millions of dollars more than that.

While this bonding request will take some time to pay back, Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia explains to Western Mass News that it’s a significant step towards a better Holyoke.

“Roads are used by everybody and it’s one source that local governments everywhere are challenged to make sure we keep up with. People want roads that are in good condition period, and we have to make sure we respond to that,” Mayor Garcia explains.

The proposed money would go towards filling in potholes, repairing cracked pavement, repairing sidewalks in areas that currently don’t have funding, and fixing private roads, which is not something Chapter 90 funding covers.

The city has identified over forty roads as priorities for repair.

The top of the list, along with their estimated costs and condition ratings includes:

Coming up on Western Mass News at 6, we’re breaking down how the city plans on splitting this money up, how utility issues may play a factor, and how the pavement conditions are being rated by the city.

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