Senate Continues IIJA Oversight at FHWA Hearing

What happened: Updates on permitting, discretionary grants and new programs in the infrastructure law highlighted a June 5 Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing at which Federal Highway (FHWA) Administrator Shailen Bhatt testified. EPW Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.) cited ARTBA’s Highway Dashboard in his opening statement, praising the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s (IIJA) progress in getting more than 70,000 projects underway.

Key updates from Bhatt included:

• Buy America Manufactured Products Waiver: Bhatt committed to “listen and accept feedback from ARTBA” and others on finding problematic areas with the process.
• One Federal Decision: Bhatt believes permitting timelines for projects are improving.
• Vehicle Miles Traveled User Fee Pilot Program Advisory Board:  The Administrator expects nominations in the “very short term.”
• Cost Allocation Study: Bhatt committed to providing an update on the report mandated by IIJA to evaluate how and what types of vehicles put the most wear-and-tear on roads.

Why it matters:  Reauthorization of surface transportation programs will begin in earnest next year, so assessing the status and progress of existing policies and programs is an important congressional undertaking.