For the first time ever, federal roads, bridges and related infrastructure could be built or rebuilt to better withstand the impacts of climate change under a highway bill unanimously approved July 30 by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.  

The $287 billion highway bill would provide $4.9 billion over five years for resilience projects that will lessen the risk of recurring damage or the cost of future repair resulting from sea-level rise, flooding and other natural disasters. The bill’s climate change title also includes another $5 billion for states to lower highway-related carbon emissions, build out alternative vehicle charging stations, reduce traffic congestion and reduce truck idling at ports.