Congress Passes FAST ACT to Improve Transportation

A five-year, $305 billion bill was passed by Congress Thursday.

The bill, known as the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, will fund highways and transportation infrastructure across the nation over the next five years.

Senate passed the act 83-16.

Between 2015 and 2020, Hawai’i will be the recipient of $1.3 billion in federal transportation funds. Of that, $261 million will go towards public transit and nearly $1.1 billion will be allocated to improve existing infrastructure.

“The FAST Act is long overdue and will provide stability for transportation agencies as we continue to search for solutions to modernize and maintain our critical infrastructure needs,” said Senator Mazie Hirono. “While not perfect, this bill supports bus and public transit programs that many Hawai’i commuters and visitors rely on every day.

“In addition, this legislation finally reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank, which has helped Hawai’i businesses make more than $6 million in the past five years. This highway bill is a five-year commitment to good paying jobs and keeping our highways, buses, bridges, and other transportation projects moving forward.”

The bill moves to the White House for President Barack Obama’s signature.