ASA Calls Upon Congress for A Robust Multi-Year Highway and Public Transportation Reauthorization Bill

ASA joined 32 national associations of the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) calling upon congressional leadership for a robust, multi-year highway and public transportation reauthorization bill. Our surface transportation system is in dire need of additional investment and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) identified a near $2.5 trillion funding gap for our surface transportation network, of which $1.7 trillion is needed for our nation’s highways, $181 billion for bridges, and nearly $535 billion for our nation’s transit system, over a 20-year period. Addressing this gap with additional investment would pay dividends by improving safety and mobility.

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take its toll on transportation construction revenues and programs, and state and local transportation agencies are plagued by uncertainty surrounding the September 30th expiration of federal highway and public transportation programs. A robust, multi-year reauthorization of the FAST Act would provide a much-needed boost to economic recovery and restore confidence that Congress and the president can work together to achieve shared national objectives that will improve the lives of all Americans.  To that end, we called for three core principles:

• at least a five-year reauthorization to allow for long-term planning and investment;
• significant funding increases over current levels to meet America’s transportation needs and improve the safe and efficient movement of people and goods; and
• build on the project delivery and regulatory approval process enhancements made in the previous two surface transportation laws to ensure the timely delivery of projects and benefits.