Montana Transportation Funding at Risk as Federal Deadline Nears

Montana could lose well over $100 million a year in federal transportation funding if Congress does not extend key infrastructure funding set to expire at the end of September.

The U.S. Senate has approved a temporary spending bill that would keep the federal government operating through December 11 and continue highway and transit programs. However, the measure does not renew roughly $38.6 billion in annual transportation funding that was included in the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law.

If Congress fails to act before October 1, states across the country would see a sharp reduction in federal transportation dollars. For Montana, that could mean less money for highway improvements, bridge repairs, airport projects, roadway safety programs and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Much of the funding is distributed through formulas based on factors such as highway miles and population, while additional dollars are awarded through competitive grants for major transportation projects.

Montana has benefited from the infrastructure law through funding for bridge replacement and repair, highway improvements and electric vehicle charging stations. The state receives about $45 million annually through the federal Bridge Formula Program and roughly $9 million each year through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.

Transportation organizations representing states, counties, cities and businesses are urging Congress to extend the funding, warning that allowing it to expire could delay construction projects and create uncertainty for state transportation departments.

Some Republicans have argued the additional funding was intended to be temporary and should instead be considered as part of a broader long-term transportation bill rather than included in a short-term spending measure.

Congress has until September 30 to reach an agreement before the funding expires.