Senate Outlines Next COVID-19 Relief Bill

From the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations:  Republicans in the US Senate released the text of its $1 trillion COVID-19 relief bill. The proposal is made up eight different bills, including over $300 billion in emergency appropriations of which $13.351 billion is allocated to the USDOT/HUD appropriation.

According to the summary, the Senate Appropriations Committee bill would provide $10.151 billion to transportation with $10 billion going to airports. There is no funding for State DOTs, or public transportation in the Senate bill.

The House HEROES Act would provide $15 billion for State DOTs and $16 billion for transit agencies. One of the general provisions in the Senate bill would extend the obligation period for 2018 BUILD grant funding through September 30, 2021, this was included as an AMPO request earlier this year. The Senate proposal is a starting point and there is reason to believe that during negotiations with the House, additional funding for transportation beyond airports will be included in the final bill.

Negotiations in Congress could slip into August, which is beyond the expiration of certain other benefits made available in the CARES Act, so there is pressure to pass the next relief bill before the end of July.

U.S. 70 Improvements – Havelock Bypass to East of Thurman Road

The House Approves $1.5T Infrastructure Bill