House bill scraps two federal programs to fund bridge repairs nationwide

What does this do?

HR 7442 would eliminate the Carbon Reduction Program and the PROTECT Program, then redirect all their funding into a new National Bridge Program. States would receive money based on bridge deck square footage (75 percent) and the share of bridge deck in poor condition (25 percent). Funds may be used to repair, preserve, or build bridges on major federal highways, with an option to spend on local bridges.

Who does it affect?

State transportation departments would gain a dedicated bridge funding source but lose access to the two eliminated programs. Drivers and communities in states with extensive or deteriorating bridge infrastructure would be most directly affected.

Why does it matter?

Communities and projects that relied on the Carbon Reduction Program would lose access to emissions-reduction funding. Projects depending on PROTECT for storm and disaster resilience would similarly lose that dedicated funding stream.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• Funded by redirected existing dollars
• No new spending identified
• Replaces two programs' budgets