Updated “Chopping Block” Reports Detail State-by-State Impacts of Massive Cuts to Federal Transportation Infrastructure Programs

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s annual $36.8B advance appropriations for transportation programs spurred over 140,000 infrastructure projects across the country

If Republican-controlled Congress refuses to renew multi-year funding, investments to improve roads, bridges, seaports, airports, freight, rail and downtowns could be permanently gutted

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, updated her “Chopping Block” reports with new state-by-state data detailing the harm to state and local transportation systems and economic development initiatives if the Republican-controlled Congress fails to renew $36.8 billion in FY 2027 advance appropriations for federal transportation infrastructure programs.

“When the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s advance appropriations expired October 1, states saw an immediate cut of more than 30 percent to their federal transportation funding,” said Sen. Cantwell. “These new reports show the impacts of these unnecessary and costly cuts to freight, aviation, railroad, maritime and main street economic development infrastructure in each state that, if not reversed, will drive higher costs for families, farmers and businesses across America. Congress can and must act to restore funding for these key programs.”

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provided, for the first time, five years of guaranteed funding for federal transportation programs. The law spurred more than 140,000 transportation infrastructure projects across the country. The BIL expired on October 1, 2026, and without renewal, $36.8 billion in vital federal investments in freight infrastructure, mega projects, bridges, airports and seaports, passenger rail, safe streets and downtowns will be eliminated, and thousands of infrastructure projects will go unfunded.

The new reports detail the impact of these cuts to formula and non-formula transportation funding programs for each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

On September 2, President Trump signed the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act (H.R. 6500) funding the government through December 11. While Congress extended surface transportation programs, it did not renew the BIL’s advance appropriations.

Sen. Cantwell released her original Chopping Block reports on May 13, 2026. They looked at three key areas within our transportation ecosystem – freight, America’s main streets and rail:

American Freight Infrastructure: The United States freight transportation system moves $18.7 trillion in goods every year. It’s estimated that U.S. businesses spent $2.3 trillion last year on logistics costs.Multimodal freight investments have significant returns on investment, including improving efficiency and reducing shipping costs. Driving these transportation costs down is critical to reducing prices for American consumers and helping American businesses compete against international companies. However, if advance appropriations are not renewed, funding will decrease by 67 percent for four essential freight programs that could support hundreds of projects still in need of federal funding. U.S. Freight Infrastructure on the Chopping Blockexamines the benefits of the BIL’s freight investments and what is at risk for supply chains if a multiyear investment strategy is abandoned. 

Local Economic Development Infrastructure: From small towns to large urban centers, the nation’s downtown districts are essential economic hubs that provide employment opportunities, access to essential services and form the building blocks of successful regional economies. The BIL provided significant support for local improvement projects through grant programs that allow local governments to apply directly for federal funds—this is critical since only 16 percent of federal highway formula funds reach local roads. If advance appropriations are not renewed, funding for three popular grant programs that support local economic development will decrease by 90 percent. American Main Streets on the Chopping Blockexamines what is at risk for essential business districts if a multiyear investment strategy is abandoned. 

American Rail Infrastructure: Freight rail carries 29 percent of U.S. ton-miles of commodities, including shipments moved via multimodal networks. In 2025,  Amtrak carried 34.5 million passengers—an all-time record. Amtrak serves 40 percent of America’s small and rural communities, and almost one in every five Amtrak riders travel to or from a station with no access to air service. The BIL provided $66 billion over five years to enhance passenger rail routes, strengthen supply chains and improve safety near the tracks. If advance appropriations are not renewed, funding for four essential rail programs will decrease 83 percent. American Rail on the Chopping Block examines the benefits of the BIL’s rail investments and what is at risk for businesses, passengers and local communities if a multiyear investment strategy is abandoned.

On May 13, 2026, Sen. Cantwell also led a letter to appropriators from all Democratic senators demonstrating the significant need for continued infrastructure investment and warning of the magnitude of harm if funding is abandoned.

NEW State-by-State reports (including D.C. and Puerto Rico) are HERE.

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