Rep. Troy E. Nehls Introduces Bill to Support Replacement, Rehabilitation, Preservation, Protection, and Construction of Bridges in States Across the U.S.
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) introduced the National Bridge Program Reform Act of 2026, which would distribute federal bridge infrastructure funds to states primarily based on total bridge deck area, with a focus on both overall infrastructure and bridges in poor condition.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's (IIJA) Bridge Formula Program distributes funds to states based on their share of the nationwide bridge repair needs. Specifically, IIJA's Bridge Formula Program distributes funds to a state based on the state's total cost of replacing all bridges in poor condition and rehabilitating all bridges in fair condition, compared to the combined costs for all such bridges across every state in the country.
The proposed legislation would distribute funds to states based on total deck area so that states' Department of Transportation agencies can manage all bridge assets as needed. By repealing two climate-related provisions of the IIJA, Congressman Nehls' legislation would distribute funds to states based primarily on total bridge deck area (75 percent), with a focus on overall infrastructure and bridges in poor condition (25 percent).
Unlike IIJA, Congressman Nehls' new proposed formula would allow states across the United States to take proactive actions on bridges in good condition, as well as address those in fair and poor conditions, while also allowing states to prioritize more preservation and rehabilitation along high-traffic corridors, rural connectors, and aging infrastructure more flexibly.
"My legislation supports the replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, protection, and construction of bridges across our nation, " said Congressman Nehls. "By rewriting the formula, this reform creates fairness among states with a large number of bridges on Federal-aid highways, like Texas, and allows states to improve their overall infrastructure capacity."
Original cosponsors of the National Bridge Program Reform Act of 2026 include Congressman Randy Weber (R-TX-14), Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX-25), and Congressman Brandon Gill (R-TX-26).
This legislation is supported by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
"TxDOT is grateful for Congressman Nehls' foresight in recognizing our state’s need of federal bridge funding," said Marc Williams, TxDOT Executive Director. "His introduction of the National Bridge Program Reform Act of 2026 will ensure Texas is fairly recognized for having the largest bridge deck area of any state and provide commensurate funding."
Read Congressman Nehls' legislation HERE.