Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
House of Representatives

House Bill Would Give Cities and Towns More Say Over Transpo Spending

U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL) introduced the legislation alongside Chris Koos, mayor of Normal, Illinois, introduced the new bill last month. Photo: Transportation for America
U.S. Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL) introduced the legislation alongside Chris Koos, mayor of Normal, Illinois, last month. Photo: Transportation for America
false

A bill to give local governments greater access to transportation funds has bipartisan sponsors in the House of Representatives.

The Innovation in Surface Transportation Act, introduced late last month, would let local communities access a much more significant share of federal transportation funds. The legislation would set aside a share of various federal programs that flow to state departments of transportation, which would be distributed to cities and towns through a competitive grant process. The amount of funding reserved for local governments would add up to $5.6 billion per year.

Normal, Illinois' up-and-coming Uptown area will receive a boost, thanks to $33 million in federal funding that will help move the Amtrak station to this central location. Photo: Transportation for America
The bustling Uptown area in Normal, Illinois, will receive a boost thanks to $33 million in federal funding that will help move the Amtrak station to this central location. Photo: Transportation for America
false

The grants would be awarded by a committee of state and local officials, based on nine criteria, including potential to attract private investment and to promote "multimodal connectivity." (Full text here [PDF].)

Currently, less than 15 percent of federal transportation funds are allocated to localities, according to Transportation for America.

The legislation is sponsored by Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Illinois) and Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-Nevada). Sponsors say the bill will help ensure that increasingly scarce transportation funds are directed toward the highest-priority projects.

“This bill recognizes our nation’s fiscal realities by giving preference to projects that strengthen the return on investment, encouraging public-private partnerships and increasing transparency so that every federal dollar spent goes a little bit further," said Davis.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Even 500 Episodes In, Jeff Wood Isn’t Done Exploring Everything Cities Can Be

Streetsblog's most prolific podcaster looks back on his legacy, and explores what's coming next.

September 17, 2024

Streetsblog to DOT: We’ll See You in Court — Again!

Streetsblog is quite a FOIL to the Department of Transportation!

September 17, 2024

Carmageddon: Shift to Remote Work Led to Increase in Driving and Congestion Nationally

Driving miles are higher today than they were before the pandemic, even though more Americans than ever still work from home.

September 17, 2024

Tuesday’s Headlines: Make McGuinness Safe Edition

The mayor's failure to implement the full road diet on McGuinness Boulevard continues to have terrible repercussions. Plus other news.

September 17, 2024

Opinion: A Lethal Threat to New York City’s Air and Citizen Enforcement 

Intro 941 jeopardizes clean air improvements hard-won through the city's citizen enforcement program.

September 17, 2024
See all posts