Federal transportation bill

Money to build America's roads, highways, public transit system, airports and seaports flow from a variety of local, state and federal sources. One of the most important pieces of federal legislation is the federal transportation bill, which is generally adopted to cover six years worth of transportation needs.

Current bill doesn't do enough for transit

The current federal transportation bill, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), authorized about $286 billion worth of spending.

Much—but not all—of this bill is supported by federal gas tax of $18.4 cents per gallon, of which less than 3 cents is devoted to transit. SAFETEA-LU expired in September 2009. Since then, legislators have voted extensions while they work to develop a new transportation bill.

New bill is an opportunity to push America forward

The next transportation bill provides an opportunity to better align how America spends its transportation dollars with the country's 21st Century needs, including environmental needs.

Where once federal transportation bills focused almost entirely on building new highways, the country's highway system today is mostly built out. A real demand today is for fixing old roads and bridges and expanding transportation alternatives that help people be less dependent on automobiles for every trip.

Our recommendations to modernize transportation

EDF has identified four key objectives for the next transportation bill:

1. Align highway spending with today's needs by focusing on repairing existing roads and bridges;


2. Provide more funding for public transportation, increase flexibility in that funding so local entities can help maintain service during tough economic times, and help ensure that every American who wants it has access to public transportation;


3. Invest in innovations like congestion pricing and parking management;


4. Recognize that America's freight system is the backbone of the economy but needs repair and modernization to reduce the system's serious greenhouse gas, air, water and noise pollution.