Press Release: 2/26/2026

MassDOT Announces Launch of Grant Central Cost Estimation Tool

 

Grant Central Estimator provides municipalities with preliminary cost estimates for MassDOT grant programs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

2/25/2026

MEDIA CONTACT

Jacquelyn Goddard, Director of Communications, MassDOT

 Phone

Call Jacquelyn Goddard, Director of Communications, MassDOT at (857) 368-8500

 Online

Email Jacquelyn Goddard, Director of Communications, MassDOT at jacquelyn.goddard@dot.state.ma.us

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Highway Division is announcing the launch of the State Aid Reimbursable Programs Cost Estimating Tool (SARPET) to Grant Central, a one-stop shop for MassDOT's municipal grant programs. 

In 2022, MassDOT developed the State Aid Reimbursable Programs Estimating Tool (SARPET) to support municipalities in their efforts to develop cost estimates for projects seeking funding through MassDOT funding programs. Originally launched as an Excel document, SARPET proved useful to many communities. In 2026, SARPET was relaunched as a web tool called the Grant Central Estimator.

This online version of the Grant Central Estimator is more accessible, easier to navigate, and automatically maintains up-to-date construction pricing data. The tool also allows municipalities to save their project estimates and return later to view or edit them as needed. With this tool, communities can enter project details and receive Preliminary Cost Estimates generated from engineering principles and weighted bid prices. With more accurate cost estimates, communities will be able to determine if a project is feasible, make funding decisions, and prevent unexpected costs.   The Grant Central Estimator can be found on Grant Central. 

“The MassDOT Highway Division and Grant Central team continue to focus on the needs of our municipal partners with the development and implementation of Grant Central Estimator, a tool that enables municipalities the ability to better produce and update projects costs and advance critical infrastructure upgrades.” said Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. "I’m proud that these tools continue to deliver on the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s commitments to communities and resident across the commonwealth, supporting and facilitating transportation needs across the state to ensure infrastructure is safe, reliable, and accessible, improving quality of life for the public that we serve.”  

“Estimating costs correctly is a critical component of determining which projects cities and towns have the bandwidth to take on, so we’re excited to offer this new tool that will help communities make more informed decisions,” said Undersecretary and State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.  “Every dollar counts, especially when it comes to municipal finance, and realistic cost estimates help determine what is achievable and how to prioritize.” 

Grant Central is a streamlined portal that manages MassDOT Highway Division’s eight municipal grant programs including the Chapter 90 Program, Complete Streets Funding Program, Shared Streets and Spaces Program, Municipal Pavement Program, Municipal Small Bridge Program, Local Bottleneck Reduction Program, Community Culverts Program, and the Unpaved Roads Program. Municipal officials who visit the grants portal can read specific details about what each grant program requires for the application to be considered, along with grant contract amounts, deadlines for applications, and MassDOT contact information should officials have questions.   

Grant Central revolutionizes grant management for MassDOT and municipalities statewide. The portal now includes a Fully Integrated Application (FIA), an all-in-one funding request application for all of the MassDOT Highway Division’s competitive grant programs. Municipalities may now apply for design support and up to $1,000,000 in construction funding for a single transportation project. Multiple grant programs can be used to fund a single project based on size and scope. Applications are accepted twice per year.     

For more info on Grant Central and all MassDOT municipal grants, please visit the the Grant Central website.