New REPAIR Act Puts $3 Billion Annually Toward Fixing 'Divisive' Infrastructure, Bans Highway Lane Expansion

The Restoring Essential Public Access and Improving Resilient Infrastructure Act, or REPAIR Infrastructure Act, is setting up a major new pot of federal cash—$3 billion per year—specifically dedicated to fixing infrastructure that has historically divided communities. Running from Fiscal Year 2027 through 2031 and funded by the Highway Trust Fund, this program is designed to undo the damage caused by mid-century highway planning that often cut off neighborhoods from jobs, healthcare, and schools. Crucially, it comes with a hard stop: none of this money can be used to increase the number of travel lanes on an existing highway.

The New Rules of the Road: Equity First

If you’re a city planner, a community organizer, or just someone who lives near a massive concrete trench that separates you from the nearest grocery store, pay attention. This bill completely changes the criteria for getting federal transportation grants. The Department of Transportation will now prioritize projects that demonstrate a robust plan to promote affordable transportation and safe access to essential destinations like jobs and schools. They’re looking for applications that specifically address historic economic and physical barriers and include formal partnerships with local community organizations.

For example, if a community group in a city is trying to cap a sunken highway to create a new park or reconnect street grids that were severed decades ago, that project just moved to the front of the line. The bill also requires applicants to show how they will prevent displacement—meaning they need to include creative placemaking or community restoration activities, like assistance for renters or preserving affordable housing, right in the plan. This is a big deal because it acknowledges that good infrastructure projects shouldn’t just move cars; they should build community wealth without pushing longtime residents out.

Targeting the 'Divisive Roadway'

Section 3 of the REPAIR Act introduces a powerful new term into the federal lexicon: “divisive roadway infrastructure.” This means any highway, viaduct, or transportation facility that acts as a barrier to community connectivity, mobility, or economic development due to factors like high speeds or grade separations. Think of those elevated highways or limited-access roads that make walking across town feel like a dangerous expedition.

By defining this, the bill makes projects aimed at fixing these barriers eligible for funding under nearly every major existing federal highway program, including the National Highway Performance Program and the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program. This is the policy equivalent of unlocking a cheat code: projects that might have struggled to fit into traditional highway categories can now tap into multiple funding streams. This means state DOTs and local agencies have a massive incentive to shift their focus from adding lanes to fixing historic wrongs.

Incentives for Green Transportation

There’s also a smart provision tucked into the Carbon Reduction Program section. States that certify they’ve successfully reduced transportation emissions (per person and per unit of economic output) get funding flexibility. However, the catch is that they must first use their Carbon Reduction Program funds specifically for a REPAIR infrastructure project. This essentially creates a reward system: if you’re serious about climate goals, you must also be serious about fixing community barriers. It links environmental stewardship directly to equity, ensuring that states can’t just focus on electric vehicles without also addressing the physical infrastructure that makes communities walkable and accessible.

In short, the REPAIR Act is less about building new roads and more about repairing the social fabric that old roads tore apart. It’s a massive signal that the federal government is shifting its infrastructure priorities to favor equity, community engagement, and fixing existing problems over simply expanding capacity—a move that will affect everything from how you get to work to whether your neighborhood feels safe and connected.