Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC-07), Chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, joined the Committee in supporting passage of a bipartisan, five-year surface transportation reauthorization. The bill makes historic investments in America’s roads, bridges, transit systems, rail transportation, and highway and motor carrier safety programs.

 

 

The Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th (BUILD America 250) Act prioritizes moving people, goods, and freight safely and efficiently across the country. The bill focuses on proven infrastructure programs, provides the largest-ever investment in our bridges, improves transit safety, and ensures projects and programs are more efficient.

 

The bill also helps improve the long-term stability of the Highway Trust Fund by ensuring all road users contribute to the maintenance and improvement of our roads. This is the first new revenue stream for the Highway Trust Fund in over three decades. 

 

"America’s economic engine depends on infrastructure built to be safe, reliable, and capable of keeping the country moving," said Congressman Rouzer.  “The BUILD America 250 Act responsibly invests in strengthening our roads, highways, and bridges, reflecting collaboration among Congress, job creators, and our communities.  I am proud to have helped shape this bipartisan bill, and thank Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen for their leadership.  I look forward to continuing to advance these lasting infrastructure improvements benefiting our communities all across North Carolina and the entire country.”

 

North Carolina has experienced rapid growth, and our infrastructure must keep pace. The following North Carolina-specific provisions are included in the BUILD America 250 Act:

• Empowering State Autonomy: North Carolina will receive more than $7.7 billion in highway apportionments for the state’s 23,554 miles of Federal-Aid highways and 5,801 miles of National Highway System. The bill improves the formula-based approach, with 90 percent of highway funding directed to states to address their unique infrastructure needs.

• Supporting North Carolina's Economy: Allows agricultural vehicles to operate on interstates at North Carolina’s state weight limits, helping move goods more efficiently across the state and improving public safety.

• Developing Future Interstates: Establishes two future interstate corridors in North Carolina, expanding and improving the state’s federal highway network.

• Accelerating Project Delivery: Cuts red tape by streamlining environmental reviews and improving the permitting process to move projects forward faster and at lower cost.

• Investing in Bridges: Increases funding to repair and modernize North Carolina’s more than 19,343 bridges. This bill provides the state with more than $185 million annually for bridge rehabilitation projects.

• Strengthening the Highway Trust Fund: Preserves the user-fee principle while establishing the first new revenue stream for the Highway Trust Fund in more than 30 years through fees on electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids.

• Boosting Transit Security and Efficiency: Supports North Carolina’s 96 transit agencies by strengthening incentives to enforce fare evasion laws and directing funding toward safety and security measures protecting passengers and taxpayer dollars.

• Promoting Amtrak Accountability: Incorporates Rep. Rouzer’s Amtrak Executive Bonus Disclosure Act (H.R.192), creating transparency and accountability for Amtrak by requiring reports on the use of federal funds and on how executive bonuses are determined.

 

Background:

 

To craft the BUILD America 250 Act, the Committee spent the last 18 months holding numerous hearings, including several chaired by Congressman Rouzer. The Committee also solicited input, ideas, and priorities for consideration from all Members of the House and job creators across the nation – over 11,000 individual policy requests were submitted. 

 

The Committee urges swift action by the House and Senate to get this legislation to the President’s desk, as current program authorization expires September 30, 2026.

 

The text of the BUILD America 250 Act can be found here.