Figures, Ryan Join Senate Democrats in Bicameral Effort to Repair Infrastructure, Bridge Communities

WASHINGTON - Congressman Shomari C. Figures (AL-02) and Congressman Pat Ryan (NY-18) co-led a bicameral effort introducing the Restoring Essential Public Access and Improving Resilient (REPAIR) Infrastructure Program Act which would reauthorize and expand the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Reconnecting Communities Program as the REPAIR Infrastructure Program. This act will bridge communities separated by poorly conceptualized and outdated transportation and infrastructure barriers, effectively contributing to better life outcomes, and generating new opportunities for American families. This bill is led in the Senate by U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del.; Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.; and Reverand Raphael Warnock, D-Ga.

"As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, it is important to me that we prioritize making investments in enhancing and modernizing transportation infrastructure in our communities," said Congressman Figures. "The Trump Administration recently cancelled a $36.6 Million Reconnecting Communities Grant in Montgomery. I am committed to seeing that funding restored, and I'm proud to join my Democratic colleagues in the Senate to make sure other communities in Alabama have the opportunity to access this same funding."

"Hudson Valley families and commuters deserve cohesive, safe neighborhoods, connected to good schools, high-paying jobs, and local businesses. That's exactly what my bill does," said Congressman Ryan. "Whether it's improving the safety of a dangerous highway crossing, like the 9-W in Kingston, working to prevent pedestrian and cyclist deaths at roadway intersections, or making access to our community spaces easier for everyone, the REPAIR Infrastructure Act is going to deliver the safer, more accessible Hudson Valley all of our families deserve."

"When my colleagues and I were shaping what would become the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021, I made sure it included significant funding for communities to correct historic injustices that resulted from past infrastructure policies. Now, the time has come to reauthorize and expand that program," said Senator Rochester. "Over the last four years, the Reconnecting Communities Program has proven successful, including critical work done in Delaware. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance the REPAIR Infrastructure Act and invest more of this critical funding into communities across our nation."

"The federal government must uphold its commitment to righting the historical wrongs associated with infrastructure projects in our communities, like Portland's I-5 Rose Quarter project," said Senator Merkley. "The Trump Administration has spent the last year relentlessly undermining once-in-a-generation investments and critical federal funding for infrastructure projects. I'll keep fighting to protect the billions of dollars I have helped secure for Oregon and ensure that all communities across the nation have an opportunity to thrive."

"Physical mobility and economic mobility are inextricably linked," said Senator Warnock. "Ensuring Georgians aren't cut off from accessing jobs and economic opportunity also helps restore the cultural fabric of communities divided by legacy infrastructure. I'm proud to partner with my colleagues on this important legislation and look forward to better connected communities across our state."

Between fiscal years 2022 and 2024, there was an average of $4.6 billion in unmet funding requests for the Reconnecting Communities Program. During the same period, there were nearly 1,500 applications from communities in all 50 states for projects eligible under the REPAIR Infrastructure Act, demonstrating a desire for this funding across the nation.

Ultimately, DOT has funded 257 projects in 47 states. Those projects have helped communities redesign streets, spur economic development, address outdated highways, improve multimodal access, and enhance transit options.

The REPAIR Infrastructure Act would:

• Reauthorize the REPAIR Infrastructure program out of the Highway Trust Fund at $3B per fiscal year from 2027 through 2031.
• Codify language to ensure REPAIR Infrastructure projects promote economic development, increase access to daily destinations, prioritize community involvement, and prevent displacement.
• Add explicit eligibility for REPAIR Infrastructure projects to existing highway formula programs.

The REPAIR Infrastructure Actis endorsed by Smart Growth America, the National League of Cities, the American Society of Landscape Architects, America Walks, the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), the Environmental Law & Policy Center, the League of American Bicyclists, the Living Streets Alliance, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Rails to Trails Conservancy, Safe Routes Partnership, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and a national coalitionof 74 additional organizations.

A one pager on the bill is available here. A section-by-section summary is here.

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