U.S. Sens Dick Durbin (D-IL), the Senate Majority Whip, and Mike Braun (R-IN) introduced legislation Monday designed to improve federal support for rural transportation and infrastructure by creating a new Office of Rural Investment at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
The Rural Transportation Equity Act of 2021 would bring current programs to assist rural areas handled by various offices and agencies throughout the USDOT under one office.
“This Congress, we have an opportunity to address the needs of rural Illinoisans who are concerned about the state of transportation infrastructure in their communities,” Durbin said. “Our bill creates a new office within the U.S. Department of Transportation dedicated specifically to increasing federal attention on the unique attributes and needs of rural infrastructure and transportation.”
The senators said that approximately 68 percent of American road miles are in rural areas, and truck and rail freight transportation occurs heavily through rural areas. However, more than a third of rural roads (36 percent) and a tenth of rural bridges are considered poor or mediocre. Additionally, rural roads have a fatality rate twice as high as urban roads.
Additionally, the senators said, transportation infrastructure influences economic development in rural areas, attracting businesses, tourism, commercial transport, and delivery, as well as improving the general quality of life in the area.
“Access to reliable transportation contributes to the economic development, health, and quality of life of rural Indiana communities,” said Braun. “This bill would establish a new office within the Department of Transportation that specifically addresses and provides support for critical transportation and infrastructure needs of rural America.”
Specifically, the bill will create the new USDOT Office of Rural Investment, require the USDOT to provide stronger outreach, education, and technical assistance to rural communities, and establish an outside Rural Transportation Advisory Council to advise on rural specific issues.