FAQ

The Highway Trust Fund already cannot cover all necessary road and transportation infrastructure maintenance and construction. Congress must allocate Treasury funds to cover the gap, putting local projects at the mercy of Washington politics. Meanwhile, outdated funding mechanisms in the HTF mean EV and hybrid drivers contribute little to nothing while using, and in some cases, causing more wear, to the same roads. Read here for more information on the Highway Trust Fund and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), as explained by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Infrastructure projects are expensive and often cross state lines. The Highway Trust Fund ensures everyone who uses our roadways contributes to the system and prevents a patchwork of inconsistent infrastructure quality across the country. Typically, the Federal government provides 80% of the funding, with states providing the rest. Scale, cost, and cross-state requirements make it extremely difficult for states to complete major projects without federal partnership.

Simplifying permitting means eliminating redundant reviews across multiple agencies, not weakening environmental standards. The current process involves duplicative reviews that delay projects without improving environmental outcomes. Consolidating reviews, setting firmer deadlines and coordinating agencies can protect the environment while delivering infrastructure faster and at lower cost to taxpayers.

A federal database doesn’t dictate how states run their safety programs – it gives them better information to make smarter decisions. Right now, states collect safety data on work zone incidents, accidents and fatalities, but this information sits in silos. A centralized database would enable states to see what’s working elsewhere and adapt proven interventions to their local conditions, contractors, and communities. When one state discovers that a specific barrier design, signage configuration, or training program reduces accidents, every state can learn from it. The federal role is collecting and organizing consistent data nationwide while states maintain full flexibility to implement solutions that work for their unique needs.

Click here to email your Representative and urge them to pass a modernized Highway Bill that ensures fair funding from all road users, releases federal funding to break ground faster, simplifies permitting while protecting the environment and prioritizes data collection for safer roads.

Click here to find your representative and let them know the Highway Bill is a priority in your community.