News and reports from the Department of Transportation.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited the Cleveland Cliffs Steel Mill in Steelton, Pennsylvania, on June 4, 2024. After touring the historic facility and meeting with union workers, he joined Governor Josh Shapiro and local leaders for a news conference to emphasize the importance of American-made steel in bolstering the U.S. economy and future infrastructure projects.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced approximately $480 million in Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program grant awards from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These funds aim to prevent crashes, fatalities, and injuries involving commercial motor vehicles. The grants will be distributed to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced enforcement actions against Lufthansa, South African Airways, and KLM Royal Dutch Airways for significant delays in issuing over $900 million in refunds to passengers affected by flight cancellations or significant changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the consent orders, these airlines are mandated to provide timely refunds and pay civil penalties to the U.S. Treasury.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has introduced a "Support Our Troops" dashboard aimed at facilitating travel benefits for U.S. military service members and their immediate families. This tool, accessible via flightrights.gov/military, displays the commitments of the ten largest U.S. airlines in their Customer Service Plans. Benefits include free carry-on and checked bags and fee-free refunds when flight plans change due to military orders.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a new round of funding for 90 airport-related infrastructure grants across 34 states, totaling nearly $187 million. These projects are part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program, which includes $25 billion for airport improvements such as terminal expansions, baggage system upgrades, and runway safety enhancements.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that eight transit systems across eight states will receive a total of $343 million in federal funding to retrofit some of the nation's oldest and busiest rail transit systems. This initiative aims to improve accessibility for Americans, including those with disabilities and mobility concerns, making it easier for them to access jobs, schools, healthcare, and other essential destinations.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced the availability of nearly $10.5 million in competitive grant funds for agencies to plan transit-adjacent development. The FTA's Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning aims to support local planning and investment near transit hubs, focusing on projects that plan for affordable housing.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Advanced Research Projects Agency - Infrastructure (ARPA-I) is seeking input on the potential applications of artificial intelligence (AI) across all modes of transportation, as well as emerging challenges and opportunities in creating and deploying AI technologies.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has announced two final rules that will necessitate railroads to establish certification and training programs for train dispatchers and signal employees. Prior to this, there were no federal regulations enforcing specific training requirements, safety checks, and verification of safety records for these positions. These final rules are intended to bridge this gap in rail safety, ensuring that certified dispatchers and signal employees are qualified and fit for duty.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has launched Operation Protect Your Move, a nationwide initiative aimed at cracking down on fraudulent interstate household goods (HHG) movers and brokers. The enforcement initiative will address complaints about HHG moving company and broker compliance with federal safety and consumer protection regulations and statutes.

On National Bike to Work Day, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced that over $63 million in grants from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be allocated for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. This funding is set to benefit 99 local, regional, and tribal communities by enhancing road safety and reducing fatalities and serious injuries, with a particular focus on bicyclist safety.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is celebrating the historic progress of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and its significant impact on America's transportation systems. As part of this celebration, the USDOT has released a new fact sheet and video featuring Secretary Pete Buttigieg, which marks the continuation of the country's Infrastructure Decade.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has imposed a fine of $300,000 on Volaris Airlines for violating federal statutes and the Department’s rule prohibiting tarmac delays of four hours or more on international flights without providing passengers an opportunity to deplane. The airline has also been ordered to cease and desist from future similar violations.

The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) celebrated its 70th anniversary with the grand opening of a new visitor center at the U.S. Eisenhower Lock in Massena, N.Y., on May 13, 2024. Top officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation were present at the event.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that makes available over $2 billion in Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program funding for projects located on the Northeast Corridor (Fed State-NEC). The corridor supports 800,000 passengers per day and billions of dollars in annual economic activity. Modernizing this critical infrastructure to provide safer, faster and more reliable passenger rail service is a key part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.