In uncertain times, it is best to focus on what is known. We are going to see significant changes in the way in which the Trump administration and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy want to define, build and maintain our nation’s infrastructure. Existing funding programs are frozen by way of the initial executive orders, and there is a possibility that funding for projects that were already awarded, though not yet codified by a signed grant agreement, could be drawn back to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and either be reshuffled with new priorities or rescinded altogether. What’s clear is that things are very unclear.
What Has Transpired
- 1/20 – Inauguration of President Trump and signing of executive orders (EO).
- 1/21 – Office of Budget Management (OBM) attempted to clarify the EOs.
- 1/27 – OBM pauses all federal disbursements.
- 1/29 – DOT Secretary Duffy is confirmed.
- 1/31 – Judge issues a temporary restraining order, while Trump administration continues freezing funds.
- 2/18 – Deadline for elimination of U.S. DOT funding that is out of line with the Trump administration’s executive orders (didn’t really occur).
- 3/10 – Secretary Duffy releases a memo rolling back some of the social equity and environmental policies of the Biden Whitehouse.
- 3/14 – Internal U.S. DOT communication asked department heads to review already awarded discretionary grants that include green infrastructure and bike lanes.
by Frances Kern Mennone
April 16, 2025