2009 Surface Transportation Authorization

ASCE has been closely tracking the movement of the 2009 Surface Transportation Authorization through the 111th Congress. We have created this page to keep our members updated on the status of the legislation and the work that ASCE is doing to influence policy makers in the meantime. We will continuously update the page as the debate over funding for surface transportation heats up this summer!

ASCE'S 2009 Report Card for America's Infrastructure

ASCE Policy: Authorization of the Nation's Surface Transportation Program: A Blueprint for Success

ASCE Issue Brief

See the Transportation Construction Coalition Ad!

Synopsis of the Bill

The $500 billion authorization measure would provide roughly $450 billion for highway

and transit programs. Just under $100 billion is directed to programs of the Federal Transit

Administration, however the bill would reduce the percentage of funding provided under the General

Fund from the current 20 percent to only 12.5 percent, with the remainder ($88 billion) supported by the Highway Trust Fund.

While the bill identifies some $337 billion for highway programs, $50 billion of that amount is

directed to a mode-neutral, competitive grant program for metropolitan areas. Another $25 billion is

directed to a competitive Projects of National Significance program, where projects would also be selected by the US Department of Transportation.

Only five programs would be apportioned by formula to the states, including a Critical Asset

Investment Program, the Highway Safety Improvement Program, the Surface Transportation

Program, a revamped Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (with a required suballocation

to metropolitan areas), and a Freight Improvement Program.

The bill would provide $12.5 billion over six years for highway and motor-carrier safety

programs.

While the proposed Surface Transportation Authorization Act still has left some questions still unanswered, the

text does address a number of changes to the current legislation. It would create new positions at the

U.S. DOT, consolidate programs, and empower metropolitan planning organizations with a greater

role in project selection. The bill also calls for creation of a National Transportation Strategic Plan, a

national freight policy, and the integration of greenhouse-gas-emission reductions into the

transportation planning process.

The bill is silent on identifying a sustainable funding mechanism to support it. That issue falls

within the jurisdiction of the House Ways and Means Committee, whose subcommittees began

examining funding options at a hearing in late June.

The AASHTO Journal

News Feed

November 5, 2009 - House Republicans have begun discussions about creating alternative proposals to provide quick funding for transportation projects. With a new six year bill stalled the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member, John Mica (R-FL), has come out and said that something needs to be done now and mentioned a two - year jobs bill that would use untapped money from either the ecnonomic stimulus or the bank bailout. Rep. Mica hopes to meet with Senate Republicans to discuss further options.

November 2, 2009 - Congressman Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and Heath Shuler (D-NC) are working on forming a coalition of donor - state lawmakers to ensure that they get a better deal in the next highway reauthorization. Highway funding is alloted based on a complex set of factors that include the state's population and miles driven by vehicles. These factors mean that some states, generally those in the South and the Midwest tend to be short-changed. Congressman Flake states that those in the coalition may not accept the reauthorization unless every state receives 96 cents on the dollar.

October 30, 2009 - The Senate will try again next week to pass a six - month extension of the current surface transportation law. Senators trying to pass a six-month extension of highway and transit programs will try to get floor time for their measure next week. Their plan is to take up and amend the House-passed three-month extension (HR 3617).

October 28, 2009 - The Senate was hoping to pass a 6 - month extension of the current surface transportation funding levels by unanimous consent before the current extension expires on October 31, however at least two Republicans have objected and there is not enough floor time to finish a bill this week under normal procedure. Therefore, another short-term extension will be necessary before the week is over. The stopgap measure that the funding levels will be attached to will fund the nation's transportation programs through December 18.

October 26, 2009 - The Senate is tossing aside a plan for an 18 - month extension of the current surface transportation law and is now working instead on a six - month extension plan. Senator George Voinovich (R-OH), was pushing for the six - month extension, stating he would have blocked the 18 - month bill.  Senator Voinovich has been vocal that the nation's highway and transit programs are too important to the economy to wait more than a year to fix. Although the Senate's new stance is supported by ASCE, it does still leave the chamber at odds with the House, which passed a three - month extension back in September. The House and Senate have until the end of this week to come up with a funding solution, because current programs are being kept going with just a one - month stopgap spending measure which will expire on October 31.

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ASCE Documents and Letters

October 28, 2009 - ASCE Letter to the full Senate to support a 6 month extension of SAFETEA-LU

September 28, 2009 - ASCE Letter to the full Senate to support a 3 month extension of the SAFETEA-LU

July 20, 2009 - ASCE Letter to Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Leadership on the Proposed 18 month Surface Transportation Extension

July 14, 2009 - ASCE Letter to Senate Environment and Public Works Leadership on the Proposed 18 month Surface Transportation Extension

ASCE Brief to the House Ways and Means Committee in preparation for the June 25th joint Oversight and Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee hearing on funding for the Highway Trust Fund

June 25, 2009 - ASCE Written Testimony to the House Ways and Means Subcommittees on Oversight and Select Revenue Measures on Investment Needs for Federal Surface Transportation Programs

June 18, 2009 -  ASCE Press Release on the House Committee Releases Surface Transportation Blueprint

Related Articles

Road and Rail Spending Proposals Stall as Lawmakers Punt on Revenue Fix New York Times 9/16/09

Delaying Transport Act Hurts Recovery Politico 9/14/09

FHWA May Slow Funding Flow to States The Journal of Commerce 7/29/09

Oberstar Maps a Course for Full Highway Bill Roll Call 7/27/09

Labor, Business Call for Action on Transport Bill The Journal of Commerce 7/27/09

Transportation Bill Not Likely to Pass Soon The Wall Street Journal 7/23/09

High-Tech Highway Funding The Boston Globe 7/22/09

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