This week, Austin Mayor, Kirk Watson and Mayor Pro Tem, Vanessa Fuentes traveled to Washington, D.C. to highlight the need for continued federal funding for local transportation infrastructure projects.

Watson, Vice Chair of Inter-Modal Transportation, testified before the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Transportation Standing Committee while Fuentes gave testimony before the Congressional House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. 

“There is a significant pipeline of U.S. Department of Transportation-supported projects that will make a real difference in so many communities throughout the nation,” Watson said. “I believe there may be some opportunities to get the new Administration and Congress more focused on the benefits of localism.” 

Fuentes urged Congress to prioritize continued infrastructure collaboration with local governments and continue funding impactful infrastructure programs from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

“Whether in a large city like Austin, Texas, or a smaller one like Mission, Kansas, reliable infrastructure is the foundation of our local economic future,” Fuentes said. “A strong federal partnership will ensure that local governments can continue to be a powerful force in solving national challenges like road safety and connectivity.” 

In the past 36 months, the City of Austin received six U.S. Department of Transportation federal grants or contracts totaling nearly $82 million that went toward local transportation and infrastructure projects.

Mayor Kirk Watson testifies at U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Transportation Standing Committee.

Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes testifies before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.