House Transportation Committee Acts on New Surface Transportation Law – Active Transportation Loses Ground

Thanks to the grassroots efforts of landscape architects and many others, recently the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed a 5-year surface transportation reauthorization bill that continues core active transportation programs. The measure, BUILD America 250 (H.R. 8871) maintains the Transportation Alternative (TA) program, which leaders had indicated could be eliminated. Since its inception in 1991, the TA program has been successfully accessed by landscape architects to plan and design bicycle, pedestrian, and trails projects, as well as for stormwater management projects in rights-of-way, Safe Routes to School projects and more.

Unfortunately, the measure does make it easier for states to transfer TA funding for other purposes and eliminate the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP), which successfully supported communities in closing gaps in creating active transportation networks.

The measure also continues the Safe Streets and Roads For All grant program but significantly reduces funding for planning grants. Similarly, the Wildlife Crossings pilot program is continued, but “not more than five percent of funds may be used for non-construction activities, including planning. 

Notably, the Build America 250 Act eliminates several programs important to the landscape architecture community, including: 

• BUILD/RAISE/TIGER: Established in 2011, this discretionary grant program funded surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact, including multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional projects.
• Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP): Created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)to construct projects to provide safe and connected active transportation facilities in active transportation networks or active transportation spines.
• Reconnecting Communities Program: Established under IIJA, the primary goal of the RCP Program is to reconnect communities harmed by past transportation infrastructure decisions, through community-supported planning activities and capital construction projects that are championed by those communities. 
• Healthy Streets Program: Authorized under IIJA, the program funded transportation projects that deployed green infrastructure, tree canopy coverage, smart surfaces and other solutions to help reduce flooding, improve air quality, and mitigate the urban heat island effect within underserved communities.
• Neighborhood Access and Equity Program: Established under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), this program provides grants for projects that improve walkability,

Notably, the bill eliminates many climate and resilience programs, significantly reduces funding for transit, and calls for an annual registration fee of up to $150 for electric vehicles. 

The BUILD America 250 Act will now have to be considered, amended, and voted on by the full House of Representatives, but no floor action has been scheduled yet. Also, the Senate is still working on their version of a surface transportation law but has not released it or made any announcements about the measure. ASLA, its members, and grassroots advocates will continue to advocate for a strengthened Transportation Alternatives program and work with lawmakers on continuing key programs that are currently slated for elimination. 

Take Action HERE to tell your members of Congress to support active transportation.