Last week, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy convened members of Congress, state departments of transportation and key infrastructure stakeholders for a national conference to initiate discussions on the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization process.
The event, held in Washington, D.C., focused on federal priorities for transport infrastructure as the 2026 legislative deadline approaches.
The conference was part of the America is Building Again agenda, which outlines measures to accelerate project delivery and strengthen federal, state and local transport partnerships. The framework includes specific references to expanding capacity, addressing congestion, and improving safety across all modes of ground transport, including public transit and buses.
Secretary Duffy said:Our mission is to build as quickly and as much as possible. So, we're working through a historic backlog as fast as possible to make sure we can get money out the door to all of you to make sure these projects are moving and moving quickly. With our money, we want you to build as fast, and we want to streamline the rules and regulations around what you do as much as possible.
Key themes included:
- Improved safety for transportation workers and pedestrians
- Reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and permitting processes
- Encouragement of public-private partnerships and increased investment to expand mobility and reduce congestion
- Support for state-level leadership in managing project delivery
To illustrate this approach, Secretary Duffy signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), giving the state greater authority over environmental permitting. The agreement aims to shorten delivery timelines for road and transit projects and is expected to serve as a model for other states.
The Department of Transportation also announced a formal Request for Information to collect input on the reauthorization process, inviting stakeholders to contribute to shaping federal transport policy.
The current Surface Transportation Authorization legislation, which governs funding and policy for agencies including the Federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway Administration, is due to expire on 30 September 2026.
