Durbin, Braun Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Establish Rural Transportation Infrastructure Office

U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), both members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today introduced the Rural Transportation Equity Act of 2021, which would improve federal support for transportation and infrastructure needs of rural communities in America.

The Rural Transportation Equity Act of 2021 would specifically do the following:

• Create a new USDOT Office of Rural Investment to improve internal coordination of USDOT functions that serve rural infrastructure.
• Require stronger USDOT outreach, education, and technical assistance to rural communities that qualify for federal transportation assistance, including assistance with planning and coordination to maximize the competitive advantages of their rural regions and avoid duplication of transportation investments.
• Establish an outside Rural Transportation Advisory Council to advise on issues specific to rural needs and make recommendations to improve rural equity in transportation investments.
• Provide financial resources to achieve these objectives.