Bill · S. 3701· Senate(119-S-3701)
BRIDGE Act
- Introduced
- 1/27/2026
- Last activity
- 1/27/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Tammy Duckworth
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The BRIDGE Act establishes a competitive grant program to assist with commuter rail bridge needs. This program provides capital assistance for the maintenance, replacement, or rehabilitation of these bridges. The Secretary is authorized to award grants to public transportation system operators. The program includes specific criteria for how these grants are awarded and managed. It also authorizes $1.5 billion in appropriations for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2031.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?+7
The bill provides $7.5 billion in authorized funding over five years specifically to maintain and improve commuter rail bridges.
Would people in cities be better off under this?+4
Commuter rail systems are heavily utilized by people living in and around urban centers.
Is this likely to create jobs?+3
The funding for rail infrastructure maintenance and replacement is likely to support jobs in the construction and engineering sectors.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Funding for Bridge Upkeep: The bill provides capital assistance for the maintenance, replacement, or rehabilitation of commuter rail bridges (Section 2(b)). This ensures that essential rail infrastructure can be kept in good working order.
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Support for Large-Scale Infrastructure: The Secretary must consider the size of the commuter rail system when awarding grants (Section 2(e)(1)). This helps ensure that the needs of various transit systems are evaluated.
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Prioritizing Urgent Needs: The grant process considers the age and condition of the commuter rail bridge (Section 2(e)(3)). This allows attention to be directed toward aging or deteriorating structures that may pose risks or service disruptions.
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Long-term Financial Commitment: The bill authorizes $1,500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 (Section 2(c)). This provides a steady stream of authorized funding over several years to address infrastructure needs.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Funding Restrictions: Eligible costs for projects are limited to the net capital costs of the public transportation costs attributable to the project based on projected use of the commuter rail bridge (Section 2(c)(2)). This may restrict the scope of what can be funded.
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Requirement for Access Agreements: If an operator does not own the bridge, they must establish and maintain an agreement with the owner to ensure access before a grant agreement can be executed (Section 2(c)(3)). This could create administrative or legal hurdles for operators seeking assistance.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Urban Residents+4Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Middle Class Households+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Transit+7
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+3Increases Job Creation+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+1
- 1/27/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.