Fischer introduces bill to allow states to gain more control over federal highway projects

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) recently introduced innovative legislation to help strengthen the nation’s crumbling infrastructure by allowing states to enter into agreements with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that grant them more control over highway projects.

The Build USA Infrastructure Act would establish voluntary state remittance agreements that enable states to exchange a portion of federal highway funding for more control over some aspects of federal regulatory approval of highway projects.

“Funding challenges and the burdensome federal regulatory approval process have delayed infrastructure projects across America for decades,” Fischer, the chairwoman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, said. “It’s time for a new approach. Today, I’m proud to put forward this legislation, which is modeled after proven successes in accelerating major transportation projects throughout Nebraska.”

The bill is based on measures like the Build Nebraska Act and the Federal Funds Purchase Program that Fischer led in Nebraska to find innovative, sustainable transportation funding solutions.

The U.S. infrastructure system faces a huge backlog of overdue maintenance and an urgent need for modernization, the American Society of Civil Engineers has found. The Highway Trust Fund will face a cumulative shortfall of about $107 billion by 2026, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

“The Build USA Infrastructure Act is a responsible, forward-looking proposal to strengthen roads, bridges and highways for the benefit of the American families and workers who use them every day,” Fischer said.

The Congressional Research Service has found that major federal aid highway projects can take as long as 14 years to complete. The Build USA Infrastructure Act would add more flexibility, collaboration and state control to critical infrastructure projects to shorten the process.