On Thursday, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing regarding the reauthorization of the surface transportation bill. The hearing focused on state and local perspectives on transportation priorities and funding. The consensus of the hearing was that current flexibility and streamlining measures from the previous surface transportation authorization bill, MAP-21, are useful, but more work needs to be done in those areas. 

During the hearing, Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) highlighted the bipartisan efforts in MAP-21 to emphasize more local planning for projects such as the Transportation Alternatives Program, known as the Active Transportation Program in California, a program that promotes trails and non-motorized vehicles. Chairwoman Boxer also said that she is working to make funding sources usually reserved for large-scale projects, such as Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act funding, more available to small and rural areas in the next reauthorization bill. Chairwoman Boxer plans to release a Senate reauthorization bill in April. 

RCRC has advocated that as part of a reauthorization effort, the on-system bridge program should be re-instated and a proper set-aside of funding for high-risk rural roads also be included.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Senior Legislative Advocate Paul A. Smith at 916.447.4806 or psmith@rcrcnet.org.