Broad Stakeholder Community United on Surface Transportation Priorities

What happened: Sixty-three economy-wide groups ranging from restaurants to retailers sent a clear and unified message to House and Senate transportation committee leaders as they begin drafting the next highway and transit bill: infrastructure is the "backbone of American commerce and daily life," and "while progress has been made" in strengthening the U.S. transportation network, "much work remains."

The Sept. 4 letter, led by ARTBA, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the Associated General Contractors of America and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, urged lawmakers to use four key principles to guide their efforts:

1. Maintain baseline Fiscal Year 2026 investment with inflation adjustments for highways, public transit and multimodal programs.
2. Maximize state flexibility through formula funds to meet the unique needs of each community.
3. Prioritize safety for all system users with increased investment and research directed at improving roadway, public transit, and work zone safety.
4. Reform project delivery by eliminating challenges in the environmental permitting process, strengthening One Federal Decision to ensure its full utilization, and creating a timely waiver process for Buy America requirements.

Why it matters: The organizations signaled a united commitment to work with Congress and the Trump administration to build on recent progress and enact a new surface transportation law before the Sept. 30, 2026, deadline.

What's next: Although the exact timing for legislation to be introduced is unknown, congressional leaders have signaled a desire to move a new surface transportation measure out of their respective committees in a bipartisan manner before year's end.