A funding gap is threatening the long-term planning of transportation projects across the United States, including programs intended to expand electric vehicle charging, public transit and rail. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $36.8 billion in advance appropriations expired on September 30, 2026, and Congress’s short-term extension through December 11 does not restore those guaranteed funds.

The funding had supported almost 70,000 transportation projects over five years. Because it was available in advance, states and local governments could plan projects and grant opportunities without waiting for annual congressional appropriations. The extension gives them no such certainty, according to an updated Senate Commerce Committee report issued October 27 that assesses potential impacts state by state.

The programs at risk include the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, which helps states develop a nationwide network of EV chargers; Capital Investment Grants for transit; and the Reconnecting Communities Pilot. BUILD and MEGA grants, which support transit, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, could also be affected.

The funding question is part of a broader debate over the next transportation bill. The House’s proposed BUILD America 250 Act, released in May, would eliminate all advance appropriations and reduce transportation funding by almost 50 percent compared with current infrastructure law levels, the article says.

Transportation is the second-largest expense for US households, accounting for an average of 17 percent of household budgets in 2024, according to the source. It also reports that the average price of gasoline has reached $4.35 per gallon, compared with less than $3.50 in 2024. The article argues that cutting support for transit, EV charging and rail could limit options for households seeking to reduce transportation costs.

Congress is unlikely to pass a new transportation bill before the current extension ends in December 2026, leaving lawmakers an opportunity to include advance appropriations in a future extension or the next bill. The source warns that further funding interruptions could delay projects and disrupt states’ efforts to continue clean transportation investments.

Sources: CleanTechnica.