July 10, 2026
The Orange County Business Council (OCBC) supports timely reauthorization of the federal Surface Transportation Act to ensure continued investment in the nation’s transportation infrastructure and provide the long term funding certainty needed for states and regions to deliver critical projects.
Surface transportation reauthorization establishes federal policy and funding for highways, bridges, public transit, freight corridors and highway safety programs. The current authorization expires on September 30, 2026, making congressional action essential to avoid disruptions to transportation planning and investment.
For Orange County, reliable transportation infrastructure is critical to sustaining economic growth, improving mobility and supporting the efficient movement of goods throughout one of the nation’s busiest regional economies. Long term federal investment provides local agencies with the certainty needed to advance major capital projects, reduce congestion and strengthen connections between employers, workers and communities.
As Congress considers the next surface transportation authorization package, negotiations remain focused on several key issues, including long term funding for the Highway Trust Fund, overall investment levels and priorities for highways, transit and freight infrastructure. While bipartisan discussions continue, delays have increased the possibility that Congress may need to pass a short term extension before reaching agreement on a comprehensive reauthorization.
OCBC encourages Congress to advance a bipartisan, long term surface transportation authorization that delivers predictable federal funding, strengthens America’s infrastructure network and supports continued economic competitiveness. Investing in transportation infrastructure is essential to meeting the growing mobility, workforce and freight needs of Orange County and the nation.
For questions, please email Amanda Walsh, Vice President of Government Affairs.
