The BUILD America 250 Act: What Counties Need to Know about the House Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill
This event will take place on Zoom Webinar. Please email nacomeetings@naco.org with any registration or login questions.
Last week, Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) introduced the BUILD America 250 Act, a comprehensive bill that would reauthorize federal surface transportation programs. This bill includes several high-profile county priorities, including record investments in locally owned bridges. Join NACo staff to learn more about what's in the bill, what didn't make it and what comes next.
Research Reveals National Road Funding Crisis as County Leaders Urge Congressional Action
Research released today by the National Association of Counties (NACo) underscores a national road funding crisis and the large role counties play in the U.S. transportation network, as infrastructure investment needs outpace available revenue due to aging infrastructure, rising construction costs and weakened purchasing power. The American Society of Civil Engineers projects a $684 billion national funding shortfall for roads over the next decade, of which counties own a significant share.
House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee releases bipartisan surface transportation reauthorization bill
On May 17, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) introduced the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act (BUILD America 250 Act), a bipartisan bill that would reauthorize surface transportation programs through the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for five years. After continuous advocacy from NACo, county leaders and coalition partners, the BUILD America 250 Act contains a number of key county priorities.
NACo endorses bill to support, finance transit-oriented development projects
On April 20, NACo endorsed the Build Housing, Unlock Benefits and Services (Build HUBS) Act (H.R. 7062/S. 3636).
NACo submits feedback on USDOT’s rural outreach initiative
On April 23, NACo submitted a response to a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on its Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) Initiative. Given the predominantly rural nature of counties and the important role that counties play in our nation’s transportation system, NACo is uniquely positioned to provide important feedback to USDOT on this topic.
NACo endorses bill to allow states to regulate blocked rail crossings
On April 8, NACo endorsed the Railroad Responsibility Act of 2025 (H.R. 341). Led by Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), this important legislation grants states the authority to regulate blocked at-grade railroad crossings. Delays caused by extended blocked train crossing create safety and connectivity concerns by increasing emergency response times and disrupting traffic.
U.S. Department of Transportation announces newest round of Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant opportunities
On March 27, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) posted a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program. Almost $1 billion is available for distribution under the grant program, which supports safety planning and improvement projects on locally owned transportation networks.