BASICS Act

Key Points

• The bill creates a new Strengthening Bridges Formula Program that would send $5.5 billion per year from 2027 through 2031 to states specifically for fixing bridges in poor condition. States with more costly bridge problems get a larger share of the money, and every state gets at least $45 million per year.
• States must spend 25% of the new bridge money and 25% of highway safety funds in local communities, split by population size. This guarantees that smaller towns and rural areas get a fair share of federal dollars for their own local projects rather than all funds staying at the state level.
• For bridges owned by local governments or tribes that are not on the main highway system, the federal government would cover 100% of repair costs. This removes the requirement for small towns to come up with matching funds they often cannot afford.
• Metropolitan planning organizations could become direct recipients of federal planning funds instead of waiting for states to pass the money along. The bill also expands what planning money can be used for, including housing studies linked to transportation, preliminary design, and general operating expenses.
• A new $150 million per year program would fund rural transportation planning organizations to help smaller, nonmetropolitan communities participate more effectively in the federal transportation planning process. Each designated regional planning organization would receive at least $300,000 per year.

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Related Bills

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