On May 23, the House Appropriations Committee approved its fiscal year 2019 funding bill, which provides significant increases for infrastructure programs at the U.S. Department of Transportation. The bill includes $49.52 billion in funding for highways by adding $4.25 billion from the general fund to the FAST Act-authorized level of $45.27 billion, a 9.3 percent increase. Of that amount, $3.8 billion will be distributed via formula as apportioned under the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, and $250 million is for highway safety projects. An additional $310 million was added to transit Capital Investment Grants, increasing the FAST Act-authorized level from $2.3 billion to $2.614 billion. The formula transit program would be funded at the FAST Act level of $9.939 billion (See chart below).

Fiscal Year 2019 Highway and Transit Appropriations
(In Billions)	FY 2017	FY 2018	FY 2019 (House)
FAST Act – Highways (HTF)	$43.27	$44.23	$45.27
Additional General Fund		$2.53	$4.25
Total Highways	$43.27	$46.76	$49.52
FAST Act Transit Capital Grants (General Fund)	$2.3	$2.3	$2.3
Additional General Fund	0.2	$.35	$0.31
Total Transit Capital Grants	$2.5	$2.65	$2.61
Transit Formula Grants (HTF)	$9.733	$9.733	$9.939
Additional General Fund		$0.834	$0.800
Total Transit Formula	$9.733	$10.567	$10.739
Airport Improvement (AIP) Aviation TF	$3.35	$3.35	$3.35
Additional General Fund		$1.0	$0.50
Total AIP	$3.35	$4.35	$3.85
Build (TIGER) Grants – General Fund	$0.50	$1.50	$0.75

The bill also includes $750 million for BUILD Grants (formerly known as TIGER), down $250 million from fiscal year 2018 but a $250 million increase over 2017 and previous fiscal year levels. For aviation, the bill provides $3.85 billion down $500 million from FY 2018 but an additional $500 million over FY 2017 and previous fiscal years.
The bill is not yet scheduled for floor action. AGC will continue to weigh-in and ensure that these significant increases are realized.
For more information, contact Brian Deery at [email protected] or (703) 837-5319.