Add news
News Every Day |

Austin official testifies before Congress on need for transit infrastructure funds

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One of Austin's top officials testified before Congress this week about the vitality of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as funding from the historic act is set to expire next year.

Congress passed in November 2021 the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which allocated hundreds of billions of dollars to enhancing and revitalizing transportation systems and infrastructure in communities across the country. Here in Austin, the funding has supplied millions toward improvements at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the Barton Springs Road Bridge project and efforts to add caps on top of the soon-to-be-expanded Interstate 35.

Austin City Council's Mayor Pro-Tem Vanessa Fuentes testified before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Wednesday, representing the National League of Cities.

She commended the flexibility provided to local communities courtesy of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with the program allowing local officials to best decide how to apply for and adopt resources to their communities' needs.

"No matter how small or large your community or where you live in our country, infrastructure is essential to building a great community and a great economy," she said.

She noted that rising infrastructure costs — coupled by ripple effects from inflation and increased real estate prices — have made it more difficult for local governments to appropriately budget for and execute massive infrastructure programs. While noting Congress will have its own budget decisions to make, she said not reauthorizing funding would be a "$1 trillion mistake" and directly contribute to economic losses across sectors and put American jobs at risk.

Rep. Jerry Nadler asked Fuentes about the Federal Transit Administration's 80-20 rule — a funding split where the federal government contributes 80% of costs to a transit project and municipal governments provide a 20% local match — and whether that should still be permitted, given critiques of transit projects not receiving the same funding support as highway programs. While Fuentes didn't explicitly condemn it, she did say Congress should continue to invest in all transit options to help diversify systems and aid local communities on their specific needs, with Austin's upcoming light rail system as an example given.

She later added connectivity and infrastructure improvements need to expand beyond airports and highways but additional projects, such as inner-city rail. She acknowledged future investments linking Dallas and Houston via high-speed rail and expressed her hope that funds will be made to support an Austin-San Antonio connection.

The need for transportation funding extends beyond new and bolstered systems, but improved safety, Fuentes said. Austin has received funding from the law's Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program, which has helped lead to a 25% reduction in crashes on local roads over the past few years, she said.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will fund infrastructure projects through Sept. 30, 2026.

Блоги

Relax FM: 19 лет гармонии и вдохновения

Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this

Get Arsenal to win Champions League at 100/1 after Real Madrid heroics with talkSPORT BET

Chelsea player ratings: Filip Jorgensen anxiety personified with Nkunku no better… but Cucurella shines once again

‘World’s most controversial Wag’ goes topless and shows off major sideboob leaving fans in shock

‘This is the end of the world’ – Gary Lineker opens up on health condition that forced him to give up favourite hobby

Ria.city
Реклама
  • ИП Попов А.П.
  • ИНН: 602715631406
Ревматолог: "18 апреля 2024 в г.Колумбус запущена квота"

Каждый человек с больными суставами имеет право получить...






Реклама
  • ИП Попов А.П.
  • ИНН: 602715631406
Ревматолог: "18 апреля 2024 в г.Колумбус запущена квота"

Каждый человек с больными суставами имеет право получить...


Реклама
  • ИП Попов А.П.
  • ИНН: 602715631406
Ревматолог: "18 апреля 2024 в г.Колумбус запущена квота"

Каждый человек с больными суставами имеет право получить...

Read also

Half Moon Bay: First manufactured homes arrive at new farmworker housing project

FSU shooter IDed, used sheriff deputy mom's weapon in killing: police

'Very high alert': Tree & grass pollen levels hit fourth consecutive day

News, articles, comments, with a minute-by-minute update, now on Today24.pro

News Every Day

Riyan Parag argues with umpire after bat fails gauge test - WATCH

Today24.pro — latest news 24/7. You can add your news instantly now — here


News Every Day

‘World’s most controversial Wag’ goes topless and shows off major sideboob leaving fans in shock



Sports today


Новости тенниса
ATP

Дедура Паломеро – первый игрок 2008 года рождения, выигравший матч на турнире ATP. Он эмоционально отпраздновал после отказа Шаповалова



Спорт в России и мире
Москва

«Челси» уступил «Легии», но вышел в полуфинал Лиги конференций



All sports news today





Sports in Russia today

Москва

"Спартак" разгромил "Салават Юлаев" и находится в шаге от полуфинала Кубка Гагарина


Новости России

Game News

Be Quiet's created the quietest mechanical gaming keyboards I've ever used, offering the striking benefit of not annoying everyone in a five meter radius


Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine

Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine

Russian.city