Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Streetsblog

Experts See No New Transportation Bill Before Election

Last May, Streetsblog ran an article with the headline "Experts Agree: Six-Year Transportation Bill Won't Pass This Year." A lot has happened since then, but we're still right where we started, butting up against a deadline with more than enough gridlock to give even optimistic experts pause.

false

Here's where we stand: The current extension of the law authorizing federal transportation funding expires on March 31, which means the worst case scenario is a shutdown of federal transportation programs on April 1. The Senate is close, or closer, anyway, to passing a completely new two-year, $109 billion bill. The House is currently without a proposal of its own, and House Republicans haven't been keen on the Senate bill -- though that might be changing.

If Washington has to stop writing checks to states, then construction projects all over the country would grind to a halt in a matter of weeks, or even days. Senator Barbara Boxer has often pointed out -- including at a press conference this morning -- that 1.8 million jobs are at stake if that happens.

It's likely that a shutdown will be avoided. A similar reauthorization fight over aviation resulted in a partial shutdown last year, and memories of the fallout should be fresh enough that Congress would do everything necessary to avoid a repeat.

However, the consensus among the transportation experts, activists, and lobbyists I've spoken to over the last few days is that no new transportation bill will be signed into law before March 31, and probably not even before the November election. Opinions seem to differ only on whether there will be just one big stopgap extension, or two smaller ones.

Here's one likely course of events according to my anonymous conversational partners:

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Subway Riders: Sean Duffy ‘Has No Idea’ What He’s Talking About

New Yorkers respond to Sean Duffy's threats and insults.

April 4, 2025

U.S. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy ‘Has No Idea’ of NYC in Subway Photo Op with Eric Adams

He's still spreading lies. But this time, he didn't let anyone know where he'd be so he could field questions from friendly reporters and face no pushback from a compliant Mayor Adams.

April 4, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: It’s the ‘Shithole’ Super Bowl

We hear that U.S. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy will be riding the subway today. Plus other news.

April 4, 2025

Fare Fares: Here’s How Much Outdoor Dining Costs Restaurants

Restaurant owners have to shell out big to serve outdoors.

April 4, 2025

US DOT Doesn’t Want to Fund Road Diets Anymore

The feds will look "unfavorably" on applications that reduce lane capacity for vehicles – despite their congestion and safety benefits.

April 4, 2025
See all posts