The bipartisan leadership of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) this week jointly released the outline of draft legislation that would reauthorize the nation's surface transportation system. Entitled Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), the $339 billion six-year bill would fund programs at levels designed to "maintain and modernize our critical transportation infrastructure."

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, Senator Barbara Boxer, D-California and EPW chairman; Senator James Inhofe, R-Oklahoma and EPW ranking member; Senator Max Baucus, D-Montana and chairman of the EPW Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee; and Senator David Vitter, R-Louisiana and T&I Subcommittee ranking member, said, "It is no secret that the four of us represent very different political views, but we have found common ground in the belief that building highways, bridges, and transportation systems is an important responsibility of the federal government, in cooperation with state and local governments and the private sector."

As part of the announcement, Senator Boxer advised that the Committee expects to advance a $339 billion bill over six years. That number represents the SAFETEA-LU funding level plus inflation. The Obama Administration FY 2012 budget request proposed spending $556 billion over six years on surface transportation programs (see Feb. 18 AASHTO Journal story).

With a six-year bill, EPW staff estimates there would be a $12 billion annual shortfall from current Highway Trust Fund revenues DC.Streetsblog reported. The senators said they were committed to "exploring a wide range of options to support and sustain the Highway Trust Fund. Our goal is to attain the optimum achievable authorization length depending on the resources available."

But uncertainty remains on how to pay for a six-year bill. The Wall Street Journal reported that Senator Boxer also acknowledged that questions about funding could mean the EPW committee might consider a smaller $109 billion two-year bill. With a two-year bill, the EPW staff estimates a $6 billion annual shortfall.

Senator Boxer also advised that the EPW draft bill would include a major increase in Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program levels from its current $110 million per year up to as much as $1 billion per year. The share that TIFIA could support would rise from its current level of 33% to 49% under the proposal.

"We are encouraged that the Senate is moving forward toward enactment of a surface transportation bill and we look forward to working with the House and Senate committees to complete reauthorization," said John Horsley, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

At its Spring Meeting, the AASHTO Board of Directors reaffirmed its commitment for a multi-year bill that includes flexibility to enable states to get the most value for each taxpayer dollar, changes in the law so states can deliver projects faster, and financial tools as a supplement to existing funding.

According to the senators' statement, MAP-21 would eliminate earmarks; consolidate numerous programs to focus resources on key national goals and reduce duplicative and wasteful programs; create a more focused freight program to improve the movement of goods; and expedite project delivery "without sacrificing the environment or the rights of people to be heard." The bill would also create a new section called America Fast Forward, which is aimed at strengthening the TIFIA program to stretch federal dollars.

DC.Streetsblog reported that the EPW could have hearings on a final draft of the bill in two weeks. It could mark up legislation before the July 4 recess.