Bill Summary
The "Building Rail Infrastructure for a Durable and Growing Economy Act" (BRIDGE Act) aims to create a competitive grant program specifically designed to assist in the maintenance, replacement, and rehabilitation of commuter rail bridges across the United States.
Key provisions of the legislation include:
1. **Grant Authority**: The Secretary of Transportation is empowered to issue grants to public transportation operators for capital expenses related to commuter rail bridges.
2. **Eligibility and Requirements**: Grants can cover net capital costs but require that operators establish agreements for bridge access if they do not own the bridge. The grants will adhere to similar terms as existing transportation grants.
3. **Competitive Process**: The Secretary must solicit applications within 30 days of available funding and award grants within a specified timeframe based on several criteria, including the size of the commuter rail system, the age and condition of the bridge, and the prioritization of bridge replacement in the applicant’s asset management plan.
4. **Funding Authorization**: The legislation authorizes $1.5 billion in funding for the program for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Overall, the BRIDGE Act seeks to enhance the safety and reliability of commuter rail services by ensuring necessary infrastructure investments in bridge maintenance and rehabilitation.
Possible Impacts
The "Building Rail Infrastructure for a Durable and Growing Economy Act" (or "BRIDGE Act") can affect people in several ways. Here are three examples:
1. **Improved Commuter Safety and Reliability**: By providing grants specifically for the maintenance, replacement, and rehabilitation of commuter rail bridges, the BRIDGE Act aims to enhance the safety and reliability of commuter rail services. This means that commuters may experience fewer delays and accidents, leading to a more dependable transportation option for daily travel to work, school, or other activities.
2. **Economic Growth and Job Creation**: The funding authorized by the BRIDGE Act can lead to economic growth by creating jobs in construction, engineering, and maintenance sectors. Local economies near commuter rail lines could see increased employment opportunities as projects to repair or replace bridges are undertaken, leading to a boost in local businesses that support these workers.
3. **Increased Accessibility and Transportation Options**: The act encourages the rehabilitation of commuter rail infrastructure, which can improve access to public transportation for underserved communities. Enhanced commuter rail services may attract more riders, leading to greater public transit usage and reduced reliance on personal vehicles. This can help alleviate traffic congestion, lower transportation costs for individuals, and promote environmental sustainability through reduced carbon emissions.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6889 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6889
To establish a competitive grant program to provide capital assistance
for the maintenance, replacement, and rehabilitation needs of commuter
rail bridges.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 18, 2025
Mr. Quigley introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a competitive grant program to provide capital assistance
for the maintenance, replacement, and rehabilitation needs of commuter
rail bridges.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Building Rail Infrastructure for a
Durable and Growing Economy Act'' or the ``BRIDGE Act''.
SEC. 2. COMMUTER RAIL BRIDGE GRANTS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 5312 the following:
``Sec. 5313. Commuter rail bridge grants
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Commuter rail.--The term `commuter rail' shall have
the meaning given the term by the Secretary for purposes of
reporting to the national transit database under section 5335.
``(2) Commuter rail bridge.--The term `commuter rail
bridge'--
``(A) means a bridge used in commuter rail
operations; and
``(B) includes a bridge described in subparagraph
(A) that is also utilized for--
``(i) intercity passenger railroad service;
``(ii) other public transportation service;
or
``(iii) a roadway.
``(3) Covered grant.--The term `covered grant' means a
grant awarded under subsection (b).
``(b) Grant Authority.--The Secretary may make grants to operators
of public transportation systems for capital costs of maintenance,
replacement, or rehabilitation of a commuter rail bridge.
``(c) Grant Requirements.--
``(1) Terms and conditions.--Except as otherwise provided
in this section, a covered grant shall be subject to the same
terms and conditions as a grant under section 5337.
``(2) Eligible costs.--Eligible costs for a project funded
by a covered grant shall be limited to the net capital costs of
the public transportation costs attributable to the project
based on projected use of the commuter rail bridge.
``(3) Bridge access agreement.--Before executing a grant
agreement with the Secretary under this section, an operator of
a public transportation system seeking a covered grant for a
commuter rail bridge that is not owned by the operator shall
establish and maintain an agreement with the owner of the
bridge that ensures bridge access by the operator.
``(d) Competitive Process.--The Secretary shall--
``(1) not later than 30 days after the date on which
amounts are made available for obligation under this section
for a full fiscal year, solicit applications for covered grants
on a competitive basis; and
``(2) award a covered grant based on the solicitation under
paragraph (1) not later than the earlier of--
``(A) 75 days after the date on which the
solicitation expires; or
``(B) the last day of the fiscal year in which the
Secretary solicits the applications for covered grants.
``(e) Consideration.--In awarding covered grants, the Secretary
shall consider--
``(1) the size of the commuter rail system of the
applicant;
``(2) the amount of funds available to the applicant under
section 5337;
``(3) the age and condition of the commuter rail bridge;
and
``(4) whether the applicant has identified replacement of
the commuter rail bridge as a priority in the investment
prioritization portion of the transit asset management plan
developed by the applicant pursuant to part 625 of title 49,
Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for
chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 5312 the following:
``5313. Commuter rail bridge grants.''.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 5338 of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(f) Commuter Rail Bridge Grants.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out section 5313 $1,500,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2027 through 2031.''.
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