Last week, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced H.R. 8870, the BUILD America 250 Act, the next long-term surface transportation package to invest in America’s freight and passenger rail, transit systems and other surface transportation infrastructure. The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) commends Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), and members of the committee for working in a bipartisan manner to advance a strong package that represents a meaningful investment in the nation’s surface transportation network.
Committee passage marks an important first step toward enacting a new surface transportation authorization ahead of the expiration of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) this Fall. RSI successfully advanced a number of industry priorities reflected in the approved package, including several provisions strengthened through RSI’s engagement in the amendment process during the Committee’s consideration of the bill last week.
BUILD America 250 includes important provisions recognizing the role of rail technology and innovation in improving safety, efficiency and network performance. Notably, the bill would establish a new RSI-supported Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) pilot program to provide competitive grants for the acquisition and deployment of innovative rail technology systems and equipment, including telematics systems, gateway devices, monitoring technologies and other tools that will enhance rail safety, help reduce theft and strengthen the efficiency of the nation’s rail network. The bill also adds two railcar lessors to the Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC), which has been a long-standing priority for RSI and its members.
BUILD America 250 continues to make strong investments in existing FRA and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) programs that support the rail supply industry. This includes more than $23 billion in FTA State of Good Repair Grants, as well as robust authorized funding across a range of rail programs, including the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, the National Intercity Passenger Railroad Partnership Program and the Rail Crossing Elimination Program.
Moving forward, RSI is committed to working with Congress as the BUILD America 250 Act continues through the legislative process in both chambers. Advancing a timely bipartisan surface transportation package is essential to supporting the critical rail infrastructure, manufacturing base and skilled workforce needed to keep America’s freight, passenger and transit systems safe, efficient and competitive.
Contact:
- Christina Howerton, RSI Marketing and Communications Manager
- chowerton@rsiweb.org
- (202) 367-2368