U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) introduced legislation Thursday that would allow the U.S. Department of Transportation to fully fund federally-funded highway projects through 2022.
The Highway Relief Act would essentially waive the state and local share in funding these projects.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has put great financial strain on state government budgets, including state departments of transportation,” Davis said. “My legislation will protect and create new construction jobs and provide a much-needed cash infusion to ensure state highway projects continue as planned. This is just one of many ways the federal government can assist state DOTs. I’d like to thank Congressional leaders for including a one-year extension of surface transportation reauthorization in the (Continuing Resolution), but as we negotiate and debate another comprehensive COVID-19 relief package, we must absolutely include additional relief for state DOTs so we can continue to make investments in our nation’s infrastructure.”
Davis said the bill would ease the burden on state and local DOTs, all of whom continue to see their revenues decrease because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Congressman said that decreased revenues hamper a state’s ability to provide matching funds for federally funded projects.
The bill provides the U.S. Secretary of Transportation with the discretionary authority to increase the federal cost-share of projects to 100 percent for fiscal year 21-22.
The bill is supported by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and
“While having Congress provide much-needed direct federal funding to state departments of transportation is AASHTO’s top priority in any COVID relief bill, the ability to utilize 100 percent federal share for transportation projects is a critical policy provision to help manage state transportation revenues hit hard by the pandemic,” said Jim Tymon, Executive Director, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).