The measure would maintain core formula programs, create new revenue for the Highway Trust Fund and include reforms to enhance project delivery and work-zone safety. This report shares key funding details and policy revisions as Congress works to enact new legislation prior to the Sept. 30 deadline.

The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) released an analysis of the massive transportation funding legislation this week after the House T&I Committee approved BA250 Act.

“The United States needs a surface transportation reauthorization bill that makes sustained, strategic investments in our nation’s infrastructure to strengthen global competitiveness, create jobs, support American manufacturing and exports, and improve safety for workers and communities,” said ARTBA Chair Tony Fassino. “The bipartisan BUILD America 250 Act reflects that commitment, and we look forward to the House moving this critical legislation forward.”

Another leading organization comprised of the leading voices of America’s transportation construction industry, the Transportation Construction Coalition, applauded the T&I Committee for advancing BA250 Act out of committee with strong, bipartisan support.

“This bipartisan bill provides the long-term certainty America’s transportation construction industry needs. It pairs sustained investment in transportation programs with targeted reforms that would move projects from planning to construction more efficiently, ensuring communities can see real results,” the TCC stated. “Critically, the bill strengthens protections for workers in active construction zones that will help ensure our hardworking men and women can get home safely when the job is done.”

The strong bipartisan support of BA250 Act sends a clear signal to Congress that every state and district stands to benefit from continued investments in the roads, bridges and transit systems Americans depend on every day, the TCC stated.

Key highlights of the multi-year legislation:

Highways:

The BA250 Act would provide $372.4 billion in obligation limit for highway programs out of Highway Trust Fund (HTF) resources. Of this amount, $338.9 billion is distributed to states and localities via formula while the remaining $33.5 billion is for allocated and discretionary grant programs. Highway and bridge formula programs would increase by 5.6% in FY 2027.

Five Year Apportionments

The bill would continue to provide the bulk of funding directly to states via formula. States receive their formula funds via an annual “apportionment” authorized by law. Highway and bridge formula programs would grow by 5.6% in the proposal’s first year with the bulk of the increase borne by the bridge program.

Core Highway Formula Programs

The core formula programs, not including bridges, maintain current investment levels in FY 2027, increasing 0.2% compared to FY 2026, but would grow between one to two percent in the outyears of the proposal.

The biggest proposed change in core formula programs would consolidate programs, from 11 in current law to 9 programs. The measure would eliminate the climate change focused PROTECT Program and Carbon Reduction Program formula categories but make them eligible activities via other core formula categories.

The bill also eliminates the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program but creates a new set-aside program for electric vehicle charging infrastructure as part of the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program.

For a complete report on the federal legislation reauthorization, read the June edition of CONSTRUCTION NEWS at www.cicbca.org.