Highway Trust Fund (HTF) Update from Secretary Anthony Foxx

Image source: http://www.dot.gov/highway-trust-fund-ticker 

The following letter was written by Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx on July 1, 2014.

Dear Colleague: 

In my June 19 letter, I wrote to apprise you of the increasingly precarious state of the Highway Trust Fund.  I am writing again to let you know the situation is now urgent for our highway investment programs.

Absent Congressional action, we will begin implementing cash management procedures for the highway programs on August 1, 2014.  We have attempted to provide states with the most equitable, straightforward approach possible for managing this crisis. 

The Mass Transit Account is expected to reach a similarly critical point as soon as October.  DOT will continue to take every possible step to fully reimburse your Agency for as long as we can.  In the event that the shortfall continues into the fall, the Department will be providing specific guidance on the Federal Transit Administration’s approach in managing the resources available to transit agencies.

Although at this point there is no precise date for implementing cash management procedures for the Mass Transit Account, we recognize that the best way we can help you to prepare is to provide as much information as possible.  For the most up-to-date information on overall guidance, please visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s website located at:  http://www.dot.gov/highway-trust-fund-ticker. 

There is still time for Congress to act on a long term solution.  Our transportation infrastructure is too essential to suffer continued neglect, and I hope Congress will avert this crisis before it is too late.  I urge you to stand with me in calling on Congress to ensure the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund while committing itself to a sound, bipartisan, and long-term solution that will ensure the stability of our surface transportation funding for our Nation for the next several years.

If I can provide additional information on this matter, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely, 

Anthony R. Foxx