Biden proposes transportation budget increase

From Transport Topics. President Joe Biden has previewed a $1.5 trillion fiscal 2022 budget plan that would increase discretionary spending for transportation systems and severe weather resilience programs. Under the president’s budget blueprint, unveiled April 9, the U.S. Department of Transportation would receive a 14% increase in discretionary funding, as well as an updated strategy…

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From Transport Topics.

President Joe Biden has previewed a $1.5 trillion fiscal 2022 budget plan that would increase discretionary spending for transportation systems and severe weather resilience programs.

Under the president’s budget blueprint, unveiled April 9, the U.S. Department of Transportation would receive a 14% increase in discretionary funding, as well as an updated strategy for addressing concerns linked to climate change.

The budget request proposes to “build back better America’s highway, transit and rail systems nationwide; make historic investment in safety, equity, and climate change mitigation; and foster neighborhood-oriented investments that transform America’s infrastructure, reconnect communities, and provide opportunities to all Americans,” according to the White House document sent to Congress. Specifically, the blueprint calls for providing $25.6 billion for the department, which would be about $300 million above the fiscal 2021 enacted level.

Additionally, the budget proposes $625 million for a passenger rail competitive grant program, as well as $375 million for Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement, or CRISI, grants. It would provide $2.5 billion for a transit grants program. And it includes $250 million in grants for transit agencies to purchase low- and zero-emission buses.

The request would provide the U.S. General Services Administration $300 million to buy electric vehicles and set up charging stations.

Additionally, the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development, or BUILD, grants program would receive $1 billion. This infrastructure grants program has been used by states and localities to advance big-ticket projects.

See the complete article at Transport Topics.

 

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