Every five years or so, Congress writes legislation that establishes policies and funding for highways, bridges, mass transit and other transportation priorities. With the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act expiring on Sept. 30, the 119th Congress began work earlier this year on the next surface transportation bill.

Much has changed since 2021, including the party in power across the executive and legislative branches of government and the transportation technologies available, which now include autonomous vehicles, robotaxis, drones and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

Rail and transit advocates want investments to continue at or above the levels the IIJA provided. Local governments want more access to funding for projects in their communities. Project leaders are asking for streamlined permitting processes to reduce delays and grants that cities and metropolitan regions can access to help develop locally informed responses to specific urban mobility challenges. 

Until now, the Highway Trust Fund provided much of the revenue to support such projects through a federal fuel tax, but it hasn’t kept up with inflation and more fuel-efficient vehicles. Congress is considering supplementing — and perhaps replacing — fuel tax revenue with annual passenger vehicle fees based on yearly mileage or propulsion type, with electric and hybrid vehicle owners paying more than gas-powered drivers.

Here are seven stories Smart Cities Dive has reported to date on surface transportation legislation. We will continue to follow developments throughout the year.