US Department of Transportation Budget for FY 2023 – $142B

The Biden-Harris Administration today submitted to Congress the President’s Budget for fiscal year 2023 of $5.89 trillion that included $142 billion for the Department of Transportation – a key government agency for the US’s vast automobile industry. (AutoInformed: President Biden Targets 50% Electric Vehicle Sales in 2030; Building Forward Better – President Biden, DOT, DOE Announce $5B National EV Charging Network; President Biden to Attend GM Factory ZERO Grand Opening; EPA Publishes Plan to Achieve Biden-Harris Priorities)

Automobility moves America by supporting a total of 10.3 million American jobs, or ~8% of private-sector employment; direct, indirect, and stimulated jobs supported by the auto industry create $650 billion in paychecks for millions of workers; Every job for an auto manufacturer in the United States creates ~11 other positions in industries in the economy.

With the inclusion of the additional $37 billion in guaranteed Advanced Appropriations provided under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Department of Transportation’s total budget for FY 2023 will be $142 billion.

“Together, these funds will increase access to safe, clean, and reliable transportation; create jobs across the country; and strengthen our economy. FY 2023 will be the second year of the implementation of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides a once in a generation opportunity to modernize our transportation infrastructure and build the foundation the American people need to compete and win in the 21st Century,” DOT said in a release.

“The investments in the President’s Budget make traveling safer, easier, cleaner, and more affordable for the American people,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “From roads, tunnels and bridges to airport and port improvements, electric vehicle chargers, safe bike lanes, and more, we are building a first-rate transportation system for all Americans.” Following is DOT summary of its budget.

Economic Strength and Global Competitiveness. Includes funding to help reduce costs for the American people by providing more affordable transportation options and modernizing our supply chains to make it easier to get goods from ships to shelves. As part of the budget the Department is recommending $4.45 billion to advance 15 major transit projects in seven states for funding in FY 2023.

This includes, for the first time, $100 million in recommended funding for the Hudson Tunnel commuter rail project, which is part of the Gateway Program, a series of strategic rail infrastructure investments, along the Northeast Corridor, designed to improve current service and create new capacity. These transit projects will create and sustain construction and operations-related jobs and help communities provide better, more frequent transit service.

Help Rural, Suburban and Urban Communities Carry Out Transformational Projects. $1.5 billion for the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grants and the new National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) Grant program which, when added to the $2.5 billion in advanced appropriations under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will result in a total $4 billion investment. This funding will provide significant investments in major transportation infrastructure projects that lay the groundwork for the nation’s economic success, including roads and highways, public transportation facilities, freight and passenger rail, and port infrastructure.

Strengthen our supply chain infrastructure. $230 million for Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), which, when added to the $450 million in advanced appropriations, results in $680 million for grants to improve port infrastructure and facilities, and to stimulate economic growth in and around ports, and ensure goods move smoothly from ship to shelf.

Maintain the safest, most efficient airspace in the world. $23.6 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration to modernize facilities and operations to ensure that the U.S. continues to lead the world in air travel safety and make improvements to operational efficiency and sustainability.

Safety. Includes funding to help the Department reach the ambitious goals outlined in the National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS).

Advance safety on highways. $3 billion for FHWA’s Highway Safety Improvement Program, which seeks to reduce the number of lives lost on our Nation’s highways, bridges, and roads,

Improve safety of commercial drivers. $506 million for FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Safety Grants, which represent an ongoing investment into commercial motor vehicle safety through the consistent nationwide application and enforcement of commercial motor vehicles and commercial driver’s license laws,

Improve safety of vehicles. $49.8 million for NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Research, to study vehicle improvements and other technological advances that can better protect people in a crash and reduce the likelihood of crashes, including:

• $18.1 million for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, and
• $3.1 million for Heavy Vehicle Safety Technologies Programs, that support testing and deployment of safety technologies for passenger vehicles, large trucks, and buses, and
• $11.8 million for Automated Driving Systems research to facilitate innovation and development of new tests, tools, and procedures to properly evaluate the safety of new technologies surrounding highly and fully automated vehicles.

 Equity. Includes funding to support a more equitable transportation system by investing in historically under-served communities to connect them with jobs, resources, and opportunities.

• Build capacity in disadvantaged communities. $110.7 million for Thriving Communities, which will provide technical assistance and capacity building to help disadvantaged communities advance transformative, equitable and climate-friendly infrastructure projects. The program will foster equitable economic growth, reduce transportation cost-burden, improved public health and mobility, and increase access to economic opportunity.
• Fund vital projects in rural communities. $350 million for the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program, which will award competitive grants that help increase connectivity, safety and quality of life in rural communities.

 Climate and Sustainability. Includes funding to adapt and improve existing transportation systems to create good-paying jobs, fight climate change and make our infrastructure more resilient to climate related challenges in the years ahead.

Expand access to low and no-emissions transportation.

• $21.1 billion for the Federal Transit Administration, including guaranteed advanced funding that will help bring new and expanded transit service to communities across the nation.
• $17.9 billion for the Federal Railroad Administration, including funding for Amtrak to reverse decades of under-investment in intercity passenger rail and begin the important work to reducing the repair backlog and modernizing American passenger rail, and funds for the newly authorized Grade Crossing Elimination program, to tackle complex grade separation projects to improve safety for drivers and rail passengers alike.
• $1 billion for the new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program in advanced appropriations to create a national network of convenient, affordable, and reliable electric vehicle charging stations. Also included is $400 million for the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants Program to further increase electric vehicle charging access throughout the country, including in rural and underserved communities.
• $1.3 billion for the Carbon Reduction formula funds to help states reduce emissions, and $12 million to research alternate fuels in aviation.
• $27.5 million for the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program to support establishment of the next phase of CAFE standards for light vehicles and maximum fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

In addition to the FY 2023 Budget, the Department debuted its new FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan that will provide a roadmap for how the Department implements this investment to create a transportation system that works for every American. This includes actions to support the Department’s mission to deliver the world’s leading transportation system, serving the American people and economy through the safe, efficient, sustainable, and equitable movement of people and goods.

For more information on the President’s FY 2023 Budget visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget

For more information about DOT’s FY2023 Budget visit: https://www.transportation.gov/mission/budget/fiscal-year-2023-budget-highlights