By Rachel Roberts, Kerry O'Hare, and Abigail Wolfgram, WTS-DC 
October 2022

It’s been nearly one year since President Biden signed into law the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and federal agencies have been busily working to stand up new programs, publish Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) and Notices of Proposed Rulemakings (NPRMs), host informational webinars, and distribute formula and grant funding.  Earlier this year, the White House released a technical assistance guide designed to assist state and local governments in navigating, accessing and deploying infrastructure resources under the BIL.  The guide builds upon the Bipartisan Infrastructure Guidebook and the Rural Playbook released earlier this year.  More recently, USDOT’s Navigator was made available to assist communities in understanding the best ways to apply for grants and deliver infrastructure projects and services. 

Competitive Grants and FY23 Appropriations

USDOT recently announced grant awards for two key programs:  $1.66 billion in FY22 funding for the FTA’s No or Low Emission Bus and Bus Facilities Programs and $2.2 billion in FY22 funding under the RAISE grant program.  More funding announcements for other programs are expected this Fall.

Meanwhile, USDOT continued to make billions of dollars available through numerous NOFOs:

• $1.43 billion in FY22 funding for the Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement Grant Program (CRISI).  Applications are due on December 1.
• $4.2 billion in FY22 funding for the newly created Bridge Investment Grant Program.  Bridge Planning applications were due on July 25, Large Bridge Project applications were due on August 9, and Bridge Project applications were due on September 8.
• $1 billion in FY22 funding through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Discretionary Grant Program.  Applications were due by September 15.
• $195 million in FY22 funding for the newly created Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program.  Applications were due by October 13.
• $573.2 million in FY22 funding for the newly created Railroad Crossing Elimination Program.  Applications were due by October 4.
• $343 million in FY22 funding for the newly created All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP).  Applications were due on September 30.

Before leaving town to squeeze in final weeks of campaigning before the election on November 8th, Congress approved a Continuing Resolution to keep the government funded up to December 16.   Completing action on full year FY23 funding levels will be a top priority when Congress returns for a lame duck session after the election. 

Former USDOT Secretary Norman Y. Mineta

The transportation community mourns the passing in May of former Secretary Norman Y. Mineta.  As the longest serving Transportation Secretary in the Department’s history, Secretary Mineta will always be remembered for his decisive actions on September 11, 2001, in ordering all aircraft in U.S. airspace be grounded and his leadership in creating and standing up the Transportation Security Administration.  As a long serving Member of Congress, his legacy includes crafting the iconic Internodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) in 1991 that expanded the role of transit in the nation’s transportation system.   A consummate believer in the power of bipartisanship, Secretary Mineta was often quoted as saying “There is no such thing as a Democratic highway or a Republican bridge."  His achievements are many, and he will be missed.  In a fitting tribute, President Biden signed legislation to rename the USDOT headquarters the William T. Coleman, Jr. and Norman Y. Mineta Federal Building.

Nominations, Appointments and Confirmations

• The Senate confirmed Robin Hutcheson to be the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Administration by voice vote on September 22.
• In July, President Biden nominated Phil Washington to be the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration as well as nominated Shailen Bhatt to be the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration.  The Senate EPW Committee held Bhatt’s confirmation hearing on September 14 but has not yet voted on his nomination.  Assuming he clears EPW, the full Senate will then need to vote to confirm him.  The Commerce Committee has not yet scheduled a hearing for Phil Washington.
• Retired General Stephen R. Lyons was appointed as the new Port and Supply Chain Envoy to the Administration’s Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force.  General Lyons replaced former DOT Deputy Secretary John Porcari.
• In May, Veronica Vanterpool was named as the Deputy Administrator at the Federal Transit Administration.  She had previously been serving as a Senior Advisor at FTA.

Mark Your Calendars

The Legislative Committee will be co-hosting a virtual event with the Young Professionals in Transportation on "Moving the Needle on Electric Vehicles."  The event will be at 12:00 noon on November 3, 2022.  Get your ticket today!

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