While Congress passed the new transportation law, the FAST Act, back in December, it takes time for US Department of Transportation to update their complicated formulas for how much states and localities get for various programs. Fortunately, that work is done and we now know the state-by-state breakdown of funding available for Safe Routes to School, bicycling and walking projects.
We have been advocating together for three years for a new transportation bill that supports Safe Routes to School, walking and bicycling. Now that Congress has passed the FAST Act and locked in funding for the Transportation Alternatives Program (or as it is now also known the STP Setaside), what should advocates be focusing on?
At the end of May, the current transportation law MAP-21 will expire unless Congress acts. Leaders in the House and Senate are currently wrestling over their options, with Congress likely to extend the current law until at least July and possibly through the rest of the year.
Congressional supporters have introduced two new pieces of legislation to advance funding and safety for bicycling and walking. The Safe Routes Partnership is pleased to support both bills.
After only a handful of hearings in the Senate and House this year focusing on a long term fix for our nation’s surface transportation needs, Congress sent a clear message last week to all those who hoped for long-term action: let’s talk next year!
Here’s how it all went down: