Infra Insight Blog

On June 29, 2012 Congress passed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), a compromise measure to reauthorize transportation funding through the end of 2014.  A bipartisan and bicameral measure, MAP-21 contains meaningful reforms that, although marred by some missed opportunities, collectively represent a significant improvement in federal surface transportation law.

We foresee continued heavy demand for TIFIA credit assistance, particularly given the more attractive features of the reenacted TIFIA program.  We have some concern that the combination of the increase in coverage from 33% to 49%, the significant simplification of eligibility criteria, the removal of FHWA discretionary selection authority, the rolling application process, the availability of master credit agreements to obtain early conditional commitments, and the fairly forgiving project readiness eligibility requirement will result in a race to submit applications prematurely.  Government sponsors of large transportation development projects will need to develop timely, proactive strategies to take advantage of the new TIFIA program.