H.R. 8653: Accelerating Demonstration Approaches for Protecting Transportation Assets Act

The bill titled "Accelerating Demonstration Approaches for Protecting Transportation Assets Act" establishes a grant program managed by the Secretary of Transportation. This program aims to support projects that enhance the resilience of critical transportation infrastructure against natural hazards. Here are the main components of the bill:

Grant Program Implementation

The Secretary of Transportation is tasked with creating a competitive grant program, referred to as the "Accelerating Demonstration Approaches for Protecting Transportation Assets Program." This program will provide up to 10 grants to eligible entities for demonstration projects focused on making transportation assets resilient against natural disasters.

Eligibility for Grants

Eligible applicants for the grants include:

• Metropolitan planning organizations
• States
• Local government units
• Public transportation agencies or authorities
• Ports or public toll authorities operating eligible transportation assets
• Tribal governments
• Consortia of two or more of the above organizations, showcasing regional partnerships.

Project Selection Criteria

The Secretary of Transportation will evaluate project proposals based on several criteria, including:

• Addressing existing or anticipated damage to high-risk transportation assets.
• Providing transportation benefits like improved mobility and safety.
• Offering additional advantages, such as environmental resilience.
• Aligning with resilience improvement plans.
• Demonstrating readiness, supported by a solid governance plan.
• Encouraging innovative techniques that can be replicated in other regions.

Eligible Uses of Grant Funds

Grant funds can be allocated for:

• Predevelopment activities, such as data collection, design, and permitting.
• Construction activities aimed at improving the resilience of transportation assets, including protective features and system resilience improvements.

Multiyear Project Requirements

The bill allows for multiyear grant agreements for larger projects, with a minimum total cost of $500 million, which can be lowered for specific applicants like Tribal governments or rural areas. These projects should address significant barriers that are typically not resolved through existing programs.

Funding and Federal Share

The federal government will cover up to 80% of the project costs, and the bill authorizes $2 billion annually from 2027 to 2031 for this program, with a maximum of 2% allocated for administrative expenses.

Project Administration

The Secretary of Transportation is required to publish funding opportunities and coordinate interagency efforts to streamline projects related to infrastructure resilience. A dashboard will be made available online to provide transparent updates on project statuses and funding.

Reporting Requirements

Within a year of enactment, an interagency working group will be established to report on the projects funded through the program, including their benefits and outcomes.

Definitions

The bill defines eligible transportation assets, which may include highways, public transportation facilities, and port facilities that are connected to other transportation modes. It also outlines what constitutes a "region" for project eligibility.

Relevant Companies

• CSX - CSX Corporation operates North American rail transportation and may engage in projects related to bridge and infrastructure fortification affected by this legislation.
• UNP - Union Pacific Corporation, also a major North American railroad company, could see direct involvement in enhancing rail infrastructure resilience.
• FLR - Fluor Corporation, a construction and engineering company, may have opportunities related to the construction and engineering services for projects funded by this bill.
• AME - A. M. Castle & Co., which provides services for transportation and logistics solutions, may be involved in infrastructure projects directly influenced by the program.