State DOT leaders frustrated with short-term solution to infrastructure funding

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is concerned that Congress last week passed only a one-month extension of surface transportation programs authorized under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.

President Biden signed the legislation into law on Oct. 2. The act provides funding for road and transit programs. The extension gives lawmakers more time to pass longer term infrastructure legislation.

AASHTO officials said they appreciate Congress addressed the lapse caused by the failure to pass the bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Act. However, short-term measures “are not a suitable way to govern,” said AASHTO Executive Director Jim Tymon in a press release.

"This particular extension doesn’t include any new funding for state departments of transportation until Oct. 15, leaving them without support from their federal partners for weeks while they continue the work of moving people and goods through our communities," he said.