The Rural Economic Infrastructure Equity Act of 2019, introduced last week by U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mike Braun (R-IN), proposes to create a new federal office under the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) with the sole purpose of overseeing rural infrastructure.
The new office would be known as the USDOT Office of Rural Economic Investment, headed by a USDOT Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Investment. It would mainly be cobbled together from the duties assumed by the various offices and agencies at the USDOT already handling these functions — something Braun and Durbin say will enhance coordination.
“I constantly hear from farmers and other rural Illinoisans about the serious transportation infrastructure needs in their communities,” Durbin said. “Our bill creates a new senior position and office within the U.S. Department of Transportation dedicated to strengthening federal attention and improving outreach on rural transportation infrastructure issues in America. Our goal is to ensure rural towns in Illinois, Indiana, and elsewhere that need federal funding to improve transportation infrastructure are in the best position to receive it.”
The senators noted that 36 percent of rural roads are currently in poor or mediocre condition, while 10 percent of rural bridges are structurally deficient. These conditions leave businesses, commuters and tourism impaired, by their estimation, and they want to see a new office that can strengthen USDOT outreach, education and technical assistance to rural communities that qualify for federal transportation assistance.
The new office would also advocate for rural communities within the USDOT at large during the development of transportation policies and programs, create a rural stakeholder consultation process for future USDOT policies and regulations, and create a Rural Advisory Council to advise on matters linked to rural needs.
“As a Main Street entrepreneur who spearheaded the effort to repair our infrastructure in Indiana, the Rural Economic Infrastructure Equity Act will improve our infrastructure throughout rural America,” Braun said. “Through this legislation and in partnership with the Department of Transportation, together we can assist rural communities as we improve our bridges and roads.”