Yesterday, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, participated in a subcommittee hearing on improving America’s transportation infrastructure. The focus was on proposals for the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill and permitting reform.
Chairman Capito emphasized the need for flexibility in addressing different states’ transportation needs. “We’re not going to build highways in West Virginia the same way that you build them in North Dakota, or Maryland, or other places,” she said.
Permitting reform was also discussed as a means to expedite projects. “If we can get bipartisan permitting reform, all of these dollars will go a lot faster,” Capito stated.
An update on the Francis Scott Key Bridge reconstruction in Maryland was provided by Samantha Biddle from the Maryland Department of Transportation. She expressed gratitude for federal support and outlined progress on the project, which is still adhering to its initial cost estimates.
