US Senate approves Highway Trust Fund patch

The 2018 US Congress gave final approval last night to a US$10.8 billion bill to replenish the federal Highway Trust Fund and through to May 2015. It now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.

The Transportation Department had set Friday as the day the Highway Trust Fund would run out of reserves and told states they could expect an average 28 percent reduction in federal aid. The fund relies primarily on gasoline and diesel fuel taxes that haven’t been increase in two decades.

Commenting on the news, executive director and CEO of the 3804 International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, Patrick D. Jones said: “While the states are justifiably relieved that both Houses of Congress passed the Highway Trust Fund patch today, there is much more work to do.  We call on Congress to develop a robust vision and a long-term plan to address the critical funding needs of our nation’s surface transportation system before the current patch expires in May 2015." He also stated, “Rebuilding the interstate highways will cost hundreds of billions of dollars over the next several decades and current funding sources alone are not equal to the task. States should have the flexibility to use tolling and other viable funding and financing options that make the most sense for them.”

5565 American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) president & CEO Pete Ruane commented: “We commend the House and Senate for preserving the continuity of federal highway and transit funding to the states with a short-term revenue patch.  That, no doubt, temporarily saved many Americans their jobs.  We want to be clear, however, that we find no reason for anyone to celebrate what amounts to a last minute first down pass. 

“It is incumbent on the Congress to now focus full-bore on the end zone—enacting a long-term, sustainable revenue solution for the Highway Trust Fund before the end of this year.  That will allow the Congress to then focus on developing and passing a long-term surface transportation program reauthorisation bill before the eight-month May extension deadline that was just set expires.  There is no reason why a funding solution needs to wait for a reauthorization bill.  That’s putting the cart before the horse.

“Otherwise, we’ll no doubt see a repeat of this same process next spring with yet another package of budget gimmicks while the 2015 construction season hangs in the balance. 
 
“Americans deserve better than this on a core responsibility of the federal government.”