Infrastructure

Advocates for improving inland port infrastructure in the House and Senate are pushing bipartisan bills aimed at funneling more dollars from the Port Infrastructure Development Program to facilities on the Great Lakes as opposed to East and West coasts.

The California High Speed Rail Authority's focus has shifted to state funds and private capital.

All eyes will be on the next surface transportation bill, which the House plans to unveil in early 2026.

The New York State Thruway Authority's $848 million refunding features a voluntary tender process.

In a move cheered by public power companies, the House passed a bill that would give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authority to keep power plants open if their closure threatens reliability.

The larger story could be that some of the larger issuers are asking water lobbyists and lawmakers to push the EPA because of worries the administration may tamper with or even eliminate the program, said a WIFIA expert.

Democratic Sens. Chris Van Hollen from Maryland and John Fetterman from Pennsylvania are reintroducing a bill to aid the public transit sector, a funding reduction target under Trump's administration.

It is one of several P3-related recommendations the board made to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Both parties agree the federal permitting process drives up infrastructure costs.

The Trump administration is requesting information on revitalizing Dulles International Airport, including the possibility of tapping a public-private partnership.

Cintra submitted a proposal calling for four new tolled managed lanes on I-76 that would be structured as a $5 billion, 50-year design-build-finance-operate-maintain P3.

Dozens of lawmakers are bailing out of Congress before the midterm elections adding new wrinkles to the fading possibility of a second budget reconciliation which could require revenue raisers detrimental to the muni market.

The roster change comes as the powerful committee tackles the next surface reauthorization bill.

After selling $260 million of voter-approved bonds for the project, county officials are eyeing a sales tax ballot measure in 2026 to cover the higher cost.

The new debt is a "bridge loan" until the company can raise fresh financing, a bondholder said.

Bond issuers in the water sector are concerned about a reduction in WIFIA loan closings as some point to competition from municipal bonds as a cause for a decline in their popularity.

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif.

Cities and states are showing budget resilience as pressure from inflation, slowing revenue growth, and the end of federal pandemic fuels concerns about an uncertain future.

Bonds have traded up since the company last week announced a tentative bondholder deal and project update and financing details.

Meridiam, ACS Infrastructure Development, Sacyr Infrastructure USA LLC and Plenary Americas are among the firms that have signaled interest in the project.