METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

U.S. DOT Maps Out Progress Delivering on Improved Transportation, Infrastructure

As part of BIL, the Administration made several investments, including upgrading rail service on the Northeast Corridor, reducing Amtrak and commuter rail delays for over 200 million trips annually.

January 10, 2024
U.S. DOT Maps Out Progress Delivering on Improved Transportation, Infrastructure

 

Photo: DOT

2 min to read


The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released a report updating the public on the Biden-Harris Administration efforts to improve America’s transportation infrastructure.

The report includes updates on DOT’s key priorities, including rail safety, strengthening consumer protections for air  travelers, and the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), among others.

Ad Loading...

“We are delivering for the American people with the resources now available because President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law reversed decades of underinvestment in our transportation systems,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The public placed great trust in DOT, and we are honoring that trust by making improvements to transportation that get people and goods to where they need to be more safely, affordably, and sustainably while creating good-paying jobs.”

To view the DOT 2021-2023 Progress Report, click here. Some highlights are below.

Making Generational Investments to Rebuild America

As part of BIL, the Administration made several investments, including:

Awarding over $200 billion to over 40,000 projects nationwide, supporting tens of thousands of jobs.

Upgrading rail service on the Northeast Corridor, reducing Amtrak and commuter rail delays for over 200 million trips annually.

Ad Loading...

Funded repairs to 7,800 bridges and improving 135,000 miles of roads.

Advancing Equity

Funding $3.3 billion to improve mobility and access through the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods program.

Awarded over $2 billion in direct procurement to small, disadvantaged businesses in FY23.

Established project labor agreements for 319 FHWA projects totaling $9.9 billion, including $3.2 billion with local hire preferences.

Awarded $686 million to improve accessibility at transit stations.

Ad Loading...

Achieving Net-Zero Carbon Emissions

Released the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Providing nearly $9 billion in funding for climate resilience projects to protect infrastructure from extreme weather.

Funded over 2,900 zero-emission and low-emission buses.

Building a Nationwide Electric Vehicle Charging Network

Expanded alternative fuel corridors to 79,000 miles of highways in all 50 states.

Provided more than $2.2 billion in funding to states and communities to build a nationwide EV charging network.

Ad Loading...

Set the nation on the path to meet President Biden’s vision of building 500,000 chargers by 2030.

Driving Innovation

Funded 59 smart community technology demonstration projects for the use of technologies, such as connected and automated vehicles, advanced traffic signals, and uncrewed aircraft systems.

Launched the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Infrastructure (ARPA-I) to spur the development of game-changing transportation technologies.

Awarded $450 million to 34 university consortia to develop the next generation of transportation technology and professionals.

More Management

A blue and white graphic with text reading "NITA Names New Leadership, Expands Reduced-Fare Program."
Managementby Staff and News ReportsSeptember 14, 2026

NITA Names New Leadership, Expands Reduced-Fare Program at First Board Meeting

The new regional transit authority appointed its first board chair and interim executive director while extending reduced fares across CTA, Metra, and Pace for eligible riders.

Read More →
From Checklists to Better Outcomes
TechnologySeptember 11, 2026

Beyond the Checklist: A Structured Approach to Transit Maintenance

Reliability-Centered Maintenance helps transit agencies move beyond routine checklists to focus limited resources on the assets and failures that have the greatest impact on safety, reliability, and service.

Read More →
A red, white, and blue graphic with the APTA logo and text reading "APTA Nominates 2026-2027 Chair & Vice Chair."
Managementby Staff and News ReportsSeptember 10, 2026

APTA 2026 Nominating Committee Selects Leadership Slate, Names Chair and Vice Chair Nominees

Leadership changes will help shape the association’s priorities and its representation of the transportation industry during the 2026–2027 term.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
DART's light rail station at 8th and Corinth
Security and Safetyby Alex RomanSeptember 10, 2026

DART Launches Major Security, Fare Enforcement Initiative

The 90-day demonstration will deploy coordinated security teams at five light rail stations while testing controlled access and gathering data to guide future investments.

Read More →
STraffic White Paper Cover Learn about delivering 1300 gates at 91 stations while managing fare evasion. Explore the large scale deployment, solution customization and real-world results that affect the region. Prepare for deployment in your region now.
SponsoredSeptember 9, 2026

Advancing Fare Collection Through Technology and Innovation

Learn about delivering 1300 gates at 91 stations while managing fare evasion. Explore the large scale deployment, solution customization and real-world results that affect the region. Prepare for deployment in your region now.

Read More →
A TransLink train goes by a large FIFA World Cup soccer ball structure.
Managementby Elora HaynesSeptember 8, 2026

Game Day in Motion: Moving Millions During the 2026 World Cup

Between packed transit stations and team motorcoaches, see how agencies and operators across North America tackled the transportation demands of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A blue and white graphic with text reading "Surface Transportation Averts Shutdown, Leaves Transit Funding Gap."
Managementby Elora HaynesSeptember 4, 2026

Surface Transportation Extension Averts Shutdown, Leaves Transit Funding Gap

The stopgap keeps federal transportation programs moving, but missing advance funding could complicate the transit and rail projects agencies are planning next.

Read More →
Bus Tech Talk: Transit Tech Training...What's Changed?
Busby Alex RomanSeptember 4, 2026

Bus Tech Talk: Keeping Transit Technicians Ahead of the Technology Curve

LA Metro’s Obed Mejia discusses technician training, evolving maintenance technology, fleet replacement, and strategies for getting the most out of today’s transit fleets.

Read More →
Designing Stations Around the Passenger
RailSeptember 2, 2026

Why Simulating Pedestrian Movement Has Become Essential for Modern Rail Stations

Pedestrian microsimulation is helping rail planners identify bottlenecks, test station designs, and prepare complex transit hubs for growing passenger volumes.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Holly Arnold
Managementby Alex RomanSeptember 2, 2026

People Movement: Holly Arnold Joins Transdev and More

In this edition, we also cover recent appointments and announcements at Pace, CamTran, MCI, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.

Read More →