ITSA Summary of the Senate EPW Surface Transportation Act of 2021
The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works approved on May 26, 2021, 20 to 0, the Surface Transportation Reauthorization (STRA) Act of 2021. STRA provides $303.5 billion for the Department of Transportation for highway, bridge, bike/ped, environment, research, and technology programs over a five-year authorization period (FY22-26). This is an increase of 22 percent from the FAST Act levels adjusted for inflation. Ninety percent ($273.2 billion) is distributed to states through formula funding. Many of the programs in this bill were included in America’s Transportation Infrastructure (ATIA) Act of 2019; however, they may consist of new policy or have higher funding levels. The bill maintains FAST Act technology eligibilities and expands those eligibilities to new programs.