Counties and Railroads: Shared Priorities for the Next Surface Transportation Bill
Upcoming Events
Related News
Key Takeaways
From Our Partners
This post is sponsored by our partners at GoRail
As members of Congress draft the next surface transportation reauthorization bill, county leaders across the country have a vital opportunity to ensure their infrastructure priorities are front and center. Encouragingly, in many key areas, county needs align closely with the priorities of freight rail—a mode that plays a quiet but powerful role in supporting local economies and reducing infrastructure burdens.
Freight rail moves roughly 40% of U.S. long-distance freight volume but accounts for just 2% of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. One train can carry the load of several hundred trucks, easing congestion, reducing wear on county roads and bridges, and helping local governments stretch their infrastructure budgets further.
Counties are central players in America’s infrastructure system. They maintain 44% of public roads, 38% of bridges, and invest over $146 billion annually in infrastructure and public works. That’s why over 800 local and state leaders—including hundreds of county officials—recently signed a letter to Congress urging strong support for freight rail in the next surface transportation bill.
There are several areas where freight rail priorities align closely with the National Association of Counties’ (NACo) transportation reauthorization goals:
Oppose Increases to Truck Sizes and Weights
Research shows that while user fees from trucks at the current 80,000-pound federal weight limit cover about 80% of the damage they cause to roads, that figure drops to just 55% if the weight limit is increased to 91,000 pounds. Increasing truck size and weight limits would further strain public infrastructure, when freight rail is already equipped to handle these volumes on infrastructure that is privately funded. Without commensurate federal funding, this would be an unfunded mandate on counties and other local governments, something both NACo and the freight rail sector strongly oppose.
Preserving Discretionary Grant Programs
NACo has emphasized the importance of continued investment in competitive infrastructure grants, which provide counties with direct access to federal funding for crucial, locally led projects. Programs like CRISI and the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program are key examples. They help counties and railroads collaborate on local safety and mobility improvements, such as grade separation projects that benefit both freight movement and community access and safety.
Prioritizing Safety Across All Modes
Counties and railroads agree that safety must be a key priority in the next surface transportation reauthorization bill. Freight rail is already the safest mode for ground freight, but Congress can take additional steps in the next bill to improve safety even further. This includes retaining funding for safety-focused programs like the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program and enabling the use of technologies that build on existing safety practices to keep communities safe.
Advanced Permitting Reform
Both counties and railroads face permitting challenges that delay critical projects. NACo advocates for reforms that streamline project delivery while ensuring local voices remain part of the process. Freight rail echoes this call, especially in cases where outdated review requirements create bottlenecks. Smarter, more efficient permitting would allow counties and railroads alike to deliver safer, modern infrastructure faster—whether it's a grade separation, a bridge replacement, or a yard upgrade that benefits local commerce.
----
As Congress shapes this once-in-a-decade legislation, GoRail encourages county leaders to continue advocating for policies that reflect local needs—protecting our roads and bridges, modernized permitting, safety, and multimodal investment.
Supporting shared priorities in the surface transportation bill is one way to ensure that counties have the tools they need to serve their communities and keep residents safe, both now and in the future.
Related News
Designation period opens July 1 for new Opportunity Zones
Counties active in the Opportunity Zone process are highlighting census tracts that are ready for work to begin and where local, state and national economic development priorities are aligned.
NACo joins letter calling on U.S. House to vote on surface transportation legislation
On June 15, NACo joined a letter calling on the U.S. House of Representatives to hold a floor vote on the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th (BUILD America 250) Act (H.R. 8870). The bill would reauthorize and reorganize federal highway and surface transportation programs for 5 years.
Embedded developer helps focus county’s economic goals
An Economic Recovery Corps fellow has helped Highland County, Va. work to break out of economic stagnation by adding capacity.
Counties and Railroads: Shared Priorities for the Next Surface Transportation Bill
County leaders from across the country have a vital opportunity to ensure their infrastructure priorities are front and center.
Unlocking AI Starts With Strong Data Governance
Strong data governance is the foundation of trustworthy AI in government. When Agencies inventory, clean, unify and steward their data, they unlock better decisions, improved services and stronger public trust.
How County Governments Thrive with Cloud-Based Solutions
Modern cloud infrastructure enables agencies to better meet residents and workforce needs. Agencies report increased efficiencies as well as reduction of technical and operational debt as they replace aging, fragmented systems.
The Cybersecurity Health Check List: Ensure Your Cybersecurity Program is Healthy and Resilient
Many organizations neglect their cybersecurity "health," leaving them vulnerable to sudden, catastrophic cyberattacks. By following a simple cybersecurity health checklist, you can ensure your organization's cybersecurity program is healthy and resilient.
APS Expands Heat Relief Efforts in Maricopa County, Arizona
APS supports and partners with community organizations and nonprofits to provide heat relief.
Prepared to respond: How counties can strengthen readiness amid federal emergency management policy changes
As local leaders, you are often the first call - and the final line of defense - when disaster strikes. From hurricanes and wildfires to floods and winter storms, natural disasters are growing in both frequency and intensity nationwide.
#LightAPath for Amazon Deliveries This Winter
During reduced daylight hours, Amazon is encouraging customers to help drivers when they are delivering their packages in the dark.
New in 2025: Counties Should Prepare Now for the Upcoming HIPAA Security Rule Update
Counties across the country are leveraging the Sectri platform to achieve HIPAA Security Rule compliance and to proactively prepare for the updated requirements set to be finalized in 2025.
America's Opioid Crisis: Counties as Frontline Forces in the Fight
Counties serve as the first line of defense, providing essential services in public health, mental health, law enforcement and social services - supporting communities in crisis and driving lasting recovery.
Empowering Communities: How County Leaders are Tackling the Opioid Crisis Head-On
Forward-thinking county leaders are implementing year-round strategies to prevent overdoses, educate communities about the importance of proper drug disposal and connect residents with local resources for support.
County collaboration is key to overcoming the cybersecurity talent shortage
In the United States, citizens depend on county governments to deliver many of the nation’s most critical services. These organizations play a crucial role in ensuring overall community well-being by managing essential services such as law enforcement, public health, infrastructure maintenance, and emergency response.
DTE Energy bringing natural gas, opportunity to Tri-County Region in Northern Michigan
Residents of Benzie, Manistee and Wexford counties in Michigan can breathe a sigh of relief this winter as natural gas becomes available in the region for the first time leading to significant savings, increased comfort and improved reliability.
Building Resilience Against Climate Change – Insights from Tidal Basin
Carlos J. Castillo, President of Federal Services at Tidal Basin, emphasized the critical role of emergency management in local climate resilience at the 2024 NACo Legislative Conference and Annual Conference.
Investing Over $100 Billion in American Infrastructure
AT&T has invested over $140 billion in the past five years to enhance American connectivity, focusing on expanding its role as the nation's largest fiber internet provider and improving its reliable 5G network, which now serves nearly 290 million people.
Building Networks for the Next Century, Not the Last One
AT&T emphasizes its nearly 150-year history of innovation and connectivity as it transitions from traditional copper landlines to modern fiber and wireless technologies, highlighting the importance of adapting to current consumer demands and technological advancements.
Travis County Develops 2,000 Units of Housing to Address Homelessness
This post is sponsored by our partners at Guidehouse. Through Guidehouse's comprehensive support, Travis County is on track to successfully create over 2,000 units of affordable, supportive housing by 2027.
Feeding kids during the summer requires county officials
The introduction of the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program marks a pivotal shift in addressing childhood hunger, especially during the summer when school meals are unavailable. This nationwide initiative, offering substantial grocery benefits, promises transformative support for over 29 million children, with a significant impact on communities facing systemic inequalities.
Why customer-centric strategy is vital for digital service adoption
The importance of a customer-centric strategy in digital service adoption for county governments is emphasized, highlighting the need for thoughtful design, clear communication, and multi-channel engagement to meet user expectations and improve customer experience.
Fighting opioid addiction – one life at a time
The opioid crisis, a major national issue, saw a 55% increase in drug overdose deaths from 2019 to 2022, with 75% involving opioids. Effective strategies to combat this include integrated care, policy enhancement, and technology, focusing on whole-person care and intervention opportunities to save lives.
Planning for the post-American Rescue Plan Act future
Guidehouse outlines strategies for state and local governments to sustain programs after the end of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) funding. It emphasizes the need for reassessing constituent needs, measuring program impact, and considering fiscal implications to ensure long-term viability and effective resource allocation for programs initially funded by SLFRF.
How voluntary benefits can help improve your employee benefit package
Voluntary benefits, tailored to diverse employee needs and often at reduced costs, are proving essential in enhancing employer benefit packages, attracting, and retaining talent, and addressing specific wellbeing issues across different age and income groups.
A countywide opioid misuse prevention campaign is easier to implement than you think
The Deterra Household Mailing Campaign delivers educational tools and deactivation pouches directly to homes. To save lives by tackling the opioid crisis.
From prevention to resilience: Strategies in wildfire mitigation
Explore a multifaceted approach to wildfire mitigation with Tidal Basin. From creating defensible spaces to early detection systems, discover strategies fostering resilient communities, protecting lives & property. Urgent action is crucial amidst rising wildfire risks. Learn more at TidalBasinGroup.com.
