May 25, 2021

The Honorable The Honorable Chairman Ranking Member Committee on Environment and Public Works Committee on Environment and Public Works United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Ben Cardin The Honorable Chairman Ranking Member Subcommittee on Transportation and Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure Infrastructure Committee on Environment and Public Works Committee on Environment and Public Works United States Senate United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510

Dear Chairman Carper, Ranking Member Capito, Chairman Cardin, and Ranking Member Cramer:

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials writes to offer our congratulations and strong support for the bipartisan Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2021. As practitioners, state departments of transportation continue to play a leading role in implementing the federal surface transportation program to improve safety, mobility, and access for everyone—AASHTO’s overarching policy vision adopted last year.

The STRA legislation provides much-needed and appreciated program stability through its five-year funding platform, and provides a 34 percent funding increase compared to the FAST Act. In addition, this bill provides 90 percent of total highway funding from the Highway Trust Fund by formula to states, which has long been the proven foundation of the Federal-aid Highway Program.

The STRA also provides a modernized policy framework that directly addresses resiliency, carbon reduction, and safety for all roadway users—while supporting urban and rural communities, improving project delivery, and providing the flexibility necessary for states to maintain and improve their roads and bridges.

We once again applaud your tireless efforts and stand ready to support you in your work with the rest of Congress and the Administration toward passage of a robust bipartisan reauthorization that builds upon the important groundwork laid by STRA under your leadership this week.

Sincerely,

Jim Tymon Executive Director