Transportation Policy Board gets update on federal reauthorization process

With federal transportation funding set for renegotiation in September, members of the Transportation Policy Board are prioritizing safety, accessibility and local street improvements.  

At a policy board meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 14,  Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) Planning Manager Allison Osterberg, outlined the federal transportation reauthorization process currently underway in Congress.  

Reauthorization refers to the congressional process of renewing, funding and updating federal transportation programs through the Federal Surface Transportation Authorization Act.

The act governs transportation funding and determines how federal dollars are distributed to states, regions and local governments for roads, transit, safety and other infrastructure projects.  

Congress typically updates the law every five years. The current authorization, passed as part of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), expires on Sept. 30.  

According to Osterberg, the U.S. Department of Transportation has outlined several priorities it wants reflected in the next transportation authorization: 

• Enhancing transportation safety – bridges, transportation workers, pedestrians, truck parking and autonomous vehicles.  

• Accelerating transportation project delivery – reforming the National Environmental Police Act (NEPA) and permitting and increasing the use of technology.  

• Promoting economic growth – investing in infrastructure that expands capacity, relieves congestion and supports commerce, more private sector investment.  

• Strengthening partnerships with states and other key stakeholders to improve transportation outcomes and prioritize federal interests.  

One issue under discussion, Osterberg said, is the balance between formula funding that flows automatically to states and regions, and competitive grant programs that require local jurisdictions to apply for funding.

Formula funding tends to be more predictable and easier for local governments to use, while competitive grants are often designed to advance specific federal priorities but can be more administratively burdensome.  

Osterberg said there has also been discussion at the federal level about reducing the number of discretionary programs.

“Most other transportation funding pots that your jurisdictions have access to come through this package," she said.

Osterberg also mentioned growing concern over the federal Highway Trust Fund, which is primarily funded by gas taxes and is projected to face shortfalls as vehicles become more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles become more common.  

Without changes, Osterberg added, the trust fund could be depleted as soon as 2028, forcing Congress to consider options, such as raising gas taxes, adding fees for electric vehicles, or shifting to mileage-based user fees.  

“The reauthorization process will determine funding levels for transportation funding, priorities for transportation funding, and eligibility for future pots of money,” Osterberg told the board.  

During board discussion, policy board community representative Travis Millar said he was troubled by the number of pedestrian fatalities in Thurston County and urged investment in basic infrastructure.

“It seems like every week I am reading about a new pedestrian death in Thurston County. If we can pour money directly into the community, even just the small things, I think it would make a big difference," Miller said.

Olympia Council member Robert Vanderpool noted that local transportation priorities often differ from those of the federal government. He said local jurisdictions invest in urban streets rather than highways.  

For Olympia, Vanderpool said, the focus is on improving accessibility and expanding multimodal infrastructure as the city prepares to redesign major arterials in the coming years.  

“Getting those arterials redesigned to have multimodal infrastructure and safety matters the most,” said Vanderpool, adding his priority is “the urban areas in our community, not the highways.” 

He pointed to projects, such as the completion of Fones Road and the Capital Way redesign, as examples of investments that are going to require sustained federal support to move forward.