ASCE has developed a set of recommendations for lawmakers to consider as they draft the next surface transportation reauthorization bill.
Surface transportation reauthorization, a large legislative effort that falls under the jurisdiction of multiple Congressional committees, is a major priority for ASCE, as current programs are set to expire in September 2026.
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has made an early start on this bill, holding over a dozen hearings since the beginning of the year and providing opportunities for stakeholder input. On April 29th, ASCE submitted priorities to the committee, which accepted legislative proposals from interested groups via an online portal.
Priorities for the Surface Transportation Reauthorization
Transportation Funding
In the upcoming reauthorization, ASCE recommends Congress sustain infrastructure investment by at least maintaining funding levels included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
While transportation funding should involve a continuation of traditional user fees, such as federal and state motor fuel taxes, ASCE recognizes the need to transition to more sustainable and equitable user fees, such as alternative energy vehicle fees, road usage charges, and innovative financing mechanisms. ASCE also supports supplemental funding for local roads, the availability of technical assistance, and the tax-exemption of municipal bonds.
Transportation funding received a particular focus this week on Capitol Hill. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on April 30th approved its budget reconciliation proposal, which would impose fees on vehicles that do not pay into the Highway Trust Fund (HTF).
Specifically, the legislation imposes an annual registration fee of $250 on electric vehicles (EVs) and $100 on hybrid vehicles. A provision for a $20 annual registration fee on all other vehicles was scrapped after several Republican lawmakers criticized the idea.
Prior to the markup, on April 25th, ASCE joined 30 transportation stakeholders in sending a letter expressing support for the electric and hybrid vehicle fees to committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO).
Safety and Accessibility
Safety, a guiding principle for ASCE’s work, is also represented in the surface transportation reauthorization priorities. ASCE supports the implementation of multimodal policies and practices that integrate the safety and accessibility of all users in the planning, design, construction, operations, connectivity, and maintenance of transportation networks.
ASCE recommends dependable funding for federal programs such as the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and the Safe Routes to School Program while calling for current data to help jurisdictions mitigate crashes.
Project Delivery
Several of ASCE’s recommendations pertain to project delivery, which lawmakers have indicated will be a topic of consideration as they craft legislation.
ASCE recommends that Congress legislate ways for the permitting process to be streamlined in a safe and responsible way. Streamlining measures include page limits and deadlines for environmental impact statements, as well as concurrent reviews of project documents and the designation of a lead administrative agency to expedite the approval process.
Additionally, ASCE recommends Congress expedite the process for certifying categorical exclusions, which can trim months from a project’s timeline without sacrificing environmental safeguards.
Improving Operations and Maintenance
ASCE’s recommendations also offer Congress perspective on improving operations and maintenance work, which is critical to keep aging infrastructure in service and enhance system performance and reliability.
Congress should support state- and local-level transportation asset management plans that link asset management efforts to long-term transportation planning and incorporate the use of life-cycle cost analysis, which can help with the overall cost-effectiveness of a project.
ASCE also notes that additional federal funding support for transit operations is necessary to preserve safe, reliable, and efficient transit service, which continues to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Future Resiliency
A final subject ASCE covers in its recommendations is preparing for the future, as disasters of greater intensity, duration, and frequency wreak havoc on communities across the country.
In addition to calling for continued support of the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program, ASCE asks Congress to fund research into the use of innovative technologies, materials, and construction techniques.
Another key component of building 21st century infrastructure is developing the workforce to design and operate it, so ASCE recommends training programs focused on transportation technologies.
ASCE will continue to stay involved in the surface transportation reauthorization process, working with our members and keeping up with lawmakers’ progress on this legislation.