U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), said the Congressional passage of an extension for highway funding is good, but more permanent funding is needed.
In a statement on Wednesday, Barrasso said passage of the “Continuing Appropriation Act, 2021 and other Extensions Act” by Congress would extend highway funding for one year.
“A full one-year extension of highway funding provides states and communities the certainty required to plan for critical road and bridge projects,” said Barrasso. “I insisted this highway funding extension be included in any Continuing Resolution. The extension will give Congress more time to finish a long-term, bipartisan highway bill to rebuild our roads and bridges.”
But legislation passed in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee last year is needed to ensure more long-term funding, he said.
“In the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, we unanimously passed legislation that will fix our roads, grow our economy, protect the environment, and cut Washington red tape,” Barrasso said. “That bill is ready to go. Congress should use America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act as a model as we work towards passing a long-term highway infrastructure bill.”
That bill, S. 2302 “American’s Transportation Infrastructure Act of 2019, authorizes $287 billion over five years to maintain and repair America’s roads and bridge. ATIA includes provisions to codify President Donald Trump’s “One Federal Decision,” which streamlines project delivery and federal approvals. Barrasso said the legislation also includes “provisions to improve road safety, protect the environment, and grow the economy.”