The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations issued a continuing resolution or CR that would fund federal government programs from the beginning of fiscal year 2021 on October 1 through December 11 but its fate remains uncertain as the House’s Democratic leadership continues negotiating with the White House.
Key for state departments of transportation is that a proposed extension of current surface transportation funding legislation – the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation or FAST Act – is contained within the CR for one year, with an additional $13.6 billion added to the Highway Trust Fund.
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and 87 organizations had urged Congressional leadership to pass this type of legislation.
Jim Tymon, AASHTO’s executive director, said that a one-year extension of current surface transportation funding legislation gives state DOTs the “certainty” needed for planning, letting, and building projects through the 2021 construction season.
“Ideally, if this extension can be provided with increased funding, our industry will be able to employ more Americans in the construction sector which, in turn, will bolster market certainty for the transportation industry in 2021; making businesses more likely to hire workers while investing in new equipment and technologies,” he said.
Key for state departments of transportation is that a proposed extension of current surface transportation funding legislation – the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation or FAST Act – is contained within the CR for one year, with an additional $13.6 billion added to the Highway Trust Fund.
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and 87 organizations had urged Congressional leadership to pass this type of legislation.
Jim Tymon, AASHTO’s executive director, said that a one-year extension of current surface transportation funding legislation gives state DOTs the “certainty” needed for planning, letting, and building projects through the 2021 construction season.
“Ideally, if this extension can be provided with increased funding, our industry will be able to employ more Americans in the construction sector which, in turn, will bolster market certainty for the transportation industry in 2021; making businesses more likely to hire workers while investing in new equipment and technologies,” he said.