News and reports from the Department of Transportation.

The Brent Spence Bridge project, connecting Cincinnati, Ohio, and Covington, Kentucky, has achieved a significant milestone. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that the project's sponsors have successfully completed the comprehensive environmental review. This development paves the way for groundbreaking activities in the upcoming months.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has made $3 million in Emergency Relief (ER) funds available for the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) to repair damages caused by a recent truck fire on I-95 in Norwalk, Connecticut.U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of I-95 by stating, “I-95 is a critical highway—for both the people of Connecticut and our nation’s transportation network—and the Biden-Harris Administration focused immediately on helping Governor Lamont quickly restore travel.”...

In a recent development, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has finalized a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that will mandate automatic emergency braking (AEB) as a standard feature on all passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks by September 2029. This move is expected to have a significant impact on road safety, with projections indicating that it could save hundreds of lives annually and prevent thousands of injuries while also saving billions of dollars in property damages.Various safety advocates and...

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a final rule aimed at updating the government-wide Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (Uniform Act), providing enhanced protections and assistance for individuals impacted by federally-funded projects. This significant update, the first in nearly two decades, focuses on ensuring fair compensation and moving assistance for those affected by such projects.U.S. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg emphasized the importance of the final rule, stating, “Congress passed the Uniform Act...

Southwest Airlines is now obligated to provide passengers with a transferable voucher worth at least $75 if their flight is canceled or delayed for three or more hours beyond the scheduled arrival time, as per the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). This compensation initiative comes in response to the DOT's enforcement action following the stranding of millions of passengers during the 2022 holiday season by the airline.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has approved its first Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) TIFIA loan for the Mt. Vernon Library Commons Project in Washington state. The project, with a loan of up to $26.8 million, is set to provide various amenities for the community and promote sustainable practices.U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Having a library, public restrooms, a community center, and a kitchen all under one roof—and only steps away from Skagit station—will be a major benefit for the people...

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has taken action to ensure that passengers affected by Southwest Airlines' delays and cancellations receive the compensation they are owed. As of today, Southwest Airlines is required to provide passengers with a transferrable voucher worth at least $75 for controllable cancellations or delays that result in passengers reaching their destination three or more hours late.U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of holding airlines accountable, stating, “After the 2022 holiday meltdown, our department...

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced the finalization of a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard aimed at enhancing road safety and reducing accidents. The new standard will mandate automatic emergency braking (AEB), including pedestrian AEB, to be standard on all passenger cars and light trucks by September 2029.According to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, "The new vehicle safety standards we finalized today will save hundreds of lives and prevent tens of thousands of...

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced the allocation of $76.1 million for 45 airport-related infrastructure projects in 22 states, as part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program. This funding is part of the $9 billion set aside for airport improvements in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of these grants in ensuring the safety and efficiency of the nation's airports, stating, “Millions of...

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration has unveiled a significant investment of $148 million in grants to 11 states and Puerto Rico to address air pollution near ports. This funding is part of a larger $400 million program aimed at enhancing air quality and reducing pollution for truck drivers, port workers, and communities living in close proximity to ports. The initiative, known as the Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities Grant Program, focuses on port electrification and efficiency enhancements to minimize pollution from idling...

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has announced new rules that aim to provide better protections for airline passengers and save consumers money by preventing surprise junk fees in air travel. Speaking about the importance of these rules, Secretary Buttigieg stated, “Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them - without having to ask.”The first rule requires airlines to automatically provide cash refunds to passengers when owed due to flight cancellations, significant changes, delayed...

The Biden-Harris Administration has made a significant move in the realm of airline passenger rights by announcing a final rule that mandates airlines to provide automatic cash refunds to passengers when owed. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of this rule, stating, “Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them - without headaches or haggling.”The new rule sets clear guidelines for when airlines must issue refunds, aiming to create certainty for consumers. Previously, airlines had varying refund policies, making...

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg delivered remarks at Washington National Airport to announce two final rules aimed at enhancing consumer protection for airline passengers. The rules, part of the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to promote fairer and more transparent markets, will provide automatic cash refunds to passengers owed refunds and protect consumers from surprise airline fees.In his speech, Secretary Buttigieg expressed gratitude to advocates and stakeholders in the aviation industry, highlighting the collaborative effort that led to the...

WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris Administration has unveiled a final rule designed to shield airline passengers from unexpected junk fees when purchasing tickets. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, "Airlines should compete with one another to secure passengers’ business—not to see who can charge the most in surprise fees."The rule mandates that airlines and ticket agents disclose fees for services such as checked bags, carry-ons, and reservation changes upfront. This measure aims to prevent consumers from falling...

WASHINGTON – On Friday, April 19, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) convened a meeting with the National Economic Council and leaders from ports up and down the East Coast to address supply chain disruptions following the suspension of vessel traffic at the Port of Baltimore. The meeting aimed to mitigate the impacts of the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and coordinate responses among key stakeholders.During the meeting, DOT provided an update on the timeline to reopen the Port of Baltimore, assuring that the reopening is on schedule. East Coast...