U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy kicks off Surface Transportation Reauthorization to Get America Building Again

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today brought together Congressional members and infrastructure stakeholders in a first-of-its-kind conference to foster collaboration on priorities ahead of Congress’s surface transportation reauthorization process later this fall.

“Our mission is to build as quickly and as much as possible. So, we're working through a historic backlog as fast as possible to make sure we can get money out the door to all of you to make sure these projects are moving and moving quickly,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “With our money, we want you to build as fast, and we want to streamline the rules and regulations around what you do as much as possible.”

During his remarks, Secretary Duffy outlined President Trump’s America is Building Again agenda, including:

• Enhancing transportation safety, including bridges, safety for transportation workers and pedestrians, truck parking, and autonomous vehicles.
• Accelerating project delivery for transportation projects, including reforming the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and permitting, enhancing One Federal Decision, and increasing the use of technology.
• Increasing opportunities through investment in transportation infrastructure that promotes economic growth, including through expanded capacity and mobility, congestion relief, and more private sector investment.
• Strengthening partnerships with States and other key stakeholders to improve transportation outcomes, including prioritizing the federal interest, greater efficiencies, and research.

After his remarks, Secretary Duffy signed a final Memorandum of Understanding with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to help the state build infrastructure projects faster. The agreement allows Texas to take more ownership of environmental permitting requirements – cutting down on red tape so critical bridge and highway projects are started and completed faster. This Federal-State partnership will serve as a model for other states interested in implementing Secretary Duffy’s “America is Building Again” agenda.

In a letter, Secretary Duffy also urged governors nationwide to assume NEPA responsibilities and take the lead on project delivery. This marks a historic removal of burdensome red tape that empowers State DOTs to manage their projects and cuts down on unnecessary costs and delays.

As part of the process to collect feedback, the Department of Transportation announced a Request for Information titled “Advancing a Surface Transportation Proposal that Focuses on America’s Most Fundamental Infrastructure Needs.”