U.S. Senate Panel Takes First Step Toward New Highway Spending Bill

Last week, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved a $287 billion bipartisan highway bill that, if passed by both the House and Senate and signed by President Donald Trump, would help revitalize America’s aging roads, bridges and tunnels. The measure passed on a unanimous 21-0 vote.

The legislation would increase spending by 27 percent over the levels authorized under current law. More than 90 percent of that funding, $259 billion, would be allotted to the U.S. states according to a formula. The bill also include $6.6 billion for a competitive grant program to address the construction backlog for bridges that are in poor condition and, according to Politico, also features a first-ever section to address climate change. Specifically, the bill would authorize $10.8 billion for various programs addressing resiliency and other climate issues over five years, including $1 billion for electric, hydrogen and natural gas vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure and billions of dollars for programs aimed at curbing emissions and reducing congestion and truck idling.

Click here for a full summary of the legislation.

There is no information at this time regarding when the full Senate could vote on the measure, or when similar legislation will move through the U.S. House of Representatives.