AASHTO statement on the COVID Relief Bill

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials today thanked Congressional leaders for providing $10 billion in urgently needed relief for the nation’s state departments of transportation as part of the latest COVID-19 pandemic relief package.

“AASHTO greatly appreciates the support from Congressional leaders including House Speaker Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader McConnell, House Minority Leader McCarthy, Senate Minority Leader Schumer, and leaders of the authorizing and appropriations committees overseeing transportation. They all recognized the need to act now in order to address dramatic nationwide impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on state DOTs’ ability to operate and maintain our national transportation system during this emergency,” said Jim Tymon, AASHTO executive director.

“Since the early response to the pandemic, state DOTs have faced severe losses in state transportation revenues as vehicle travel declined. This COVID relief bill enables state DOTs to stay on track and support the efficient movement of critical goods and services as they maintain their transportation systems. Furthermore, this timely federal support will help state DOTs to retain their institutional capacities and to be prepared to deliver future infrastructure investment driving economic recovery and growth.”