Department of Transportation fools Americans, attempts to divert highway funding to projects that do nothing to expand highway capacity
April 1, 2022
(Washington, DC) – Happy April Fools’ Day! The $1.2 trillion (with a “t”) Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden in November, was sold to the American people as a commitment to rebuild the nation’s roads and bridges.
And for those who believed that: April Fools! A Department of Transportation policy memo released in December prioritizes BIL funds for bike lanes and climate resiliency instead of maximizing investment in highway expansion and new bridges.
This memo contradicts what its supporters initially promised Americans when promoting the bill. While the memo allows for use of funds for the repair of infrastructure, it sets priorities for such things as projects “that maximize the existing right-of-way for accommodation of non-motorized modes.” It does not, for example, prioritize funds for new infrastructure needed in states where people are flocking to escape high crime and COVID lockdowns. The memo directs staff of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to promote “construction of bicycle and pedestrian lanes, paths, and facilities” by pointing out that those projects can be completed more quickly due to exclusions under environmental regulations. DOT’s policy also prioritizes projects that “help combat the climate crisis” and accommodate technologies such as electric vehicle charging stations and renewable energy generation.
The surprising memo comes during our nation’s ongoing supply chain crisis. Many grocery store shelves are devoid of food, packages take weeks to be delivered, and essential everyday items are nowhere to be found. It makes one wonder: why does the federal government not maximize the infrastructure funds for actual infrastructure? The Functional Government Initiative is announcing an investigation into this policy to uncover the answers.
Peter McGinnis, spokesman for FGI, issued the following statement:
“The federal government appears to have pulled a bait-and-switch on Americans when it promised funding for roads and bridges but gave them bike paths instead. We find it alarming that instead of expanding highways that would help fix the growing supply chain crisis Americans face, the government is prioritizing funds to projects that do not address this crisis. FGI is determined to investigate this bait-and-switch and help make sure we don’t get fooled again.”
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