A new program of the MA Dept. of Transportation (MassDOT) aims to support local communities in the early stages of transportation infrastructure projects.

The Local Early and Actionable Planning (LEAP) program was included in Gov. Maura Healy’s 2025 Capital Investment Plan and will provide a total of $1 million to municipalities across the state in 2026. It focuses on rural and economically disadvantaged communities, where limited funding and staffing are often a barrier to initiating transportation projects. Municipalities can request support from a MassDOT consultant for a variety of early-stage planning and design activities, such as concept development, grant applications, traffic analysis, site investigation, data collection, and cost estimates.

“Our goal is to empower community leaders with the tools and support they need to bring priority projects to life,” Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt said in an announcement this summer.

Requests must be submitted by municipal staff, and will be accepted on a rolling basis. Click here for more info, or contact MassDOT Transportation Planner Derek Kravat at Derek.Kravat@ dot.state.ma.us.