In the latest COVID-19 relief package, a $900 billion relief measure, state departments of transportation will receive $10 billion in emergency aid to be distributed by the Federal Highway Administration. According to The American Association of State and Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the relief money will be based on each state's share of obligation limitations under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act which was recently extended and was implemented to provide funding for surface transportation infrastructure planning and investment. State DOT's can also use the relief money to fund Surface Transportation Block Grant-eligible projects as well as for preventive maintenance, routine maintenance, operations and personnel - including employee and contractor salaries - along with debt service payments, availability payments and coverage for other revenue losses.

 

"Since the early response to the pandemic, state DOTs have faced severe losses in state transportation revenues as vehicle travel declined. This COVID relief bill enables state DOTs to stay on track and support the efficient movement of critical goods and services as they maintain their transportation systems," said Jim Tymon, executive director of AASHTO.

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