United for Infrastructure Newsletter | September 17, 2026
UFI rolls out new Building a Stronger America resource
United for Infrastructure is expanding the Building a Stronger America toolkit to help partners make the case for continued federal investment as Congress heads into critical stretch of time where they will consider a new surface transportation bill and new water infrastructure legislation.
UFI has launched an interactive map spotlighting federally funded projects in communities across the country, from roads, bridges, and public transit to water and digital infrastructure, that show what federal partnership has delivered on the ground. The map will be updated on a rolling basis.
You are invited to submit federally supported projects to help build the picture of what sustained federal investment makes possible nationwide.
This map builds directly on the storytelling at the heart of the Building a Stronger America campaign: elevating the voices of state, local, and private sector leaders who’ve seen firsthand what federal infrastructure dollars mean for their communities.
House passes WRDA; surface transportation deadline shifts to December
The House yesterday passed its version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, legislation that authorizes the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, Clean Water State Revolving Funds, and related EPA water infrastructure programs. The Senate passed its own version out of committee, but it has yet to receive a full floor vote. WRDA is set to expire on September 30.
With the House adjourned for a seven-week recess, both WRDA and surface transportation reauthorization will have to wait until after the mid-terms for potential passage.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, Chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, and Rep. Sam Graves, Chair of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee (who is retiring this year), have publicly indicated a desire to pass a new surface transportation reauthorization bill during the lame duck session. However, the Senate has yet to introduce bill language, and Moore Capito told POLITICO earlier this week that "we still have a lot of negotiating to do on it." The House version, the BUILD America 250 Act, is still awaiting Ways and Means Committee review of its tax and revenue provisions.
With the short-term continuing resolution signed in early September, eyes turn towards the new deadline for surface transportation reauthorization: December 11.
For UFI, the message stays the same: Congress cannot let uncertainty stall the progress made under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) — for water infrastructure and surface transportation alike. We continue to urge lawmakers to maintain robust, sustained federal funding at IIJA levels or above, secure long-term Highway Trust Fund solvency, streamline permitting, and invest in resilience and workforce development as they finalize the next reauthorizations.
FIU hosts “Advancing Building Resilience and Homeland Security” event
UFI Partnership Network member Florida International University held a collaborative event featuring UFI Director Ross van Dongen and various agency officials and industry leaders focused on advancing Resilient Infrastructure research and technologies. Through a series of fireside chats and discussion groups, UFI and participants brainstormed solutions to current research gaps and what a bolder, more collaborative future may look like.
FIU also updated stakeholders on the national coalition designing the Extreme Storm Simulator, which, once complete, would be the world’s largest advanced wind and wave testing facility. The facility is being designed to test and recreate extreme-level multi-hazard storms.
Upcoming Events
Our United for Infrastructure Calendar is the central hub for infrastructure events. Share your plans with us via the “Submit an Event” button on our website, allowing us to amplify your event on our Calendar, on social media, and in this newsletter.
National League of Cities' Mobility Webinar | Tuesday, September 22
UFI Steering Committee member National League of Cities will join Enterprise on Tuesday, September 22, for a webinar bringing together leaders from local government and public transportation to emphasize the importance of prioritizing mobility choice in urban planning.
ASCE Resilience Forum | Thursday, September 24
UFI Steering Committee member American Society of Civil Engineers is hosting the ASCE Resilience Forum on Thursday, September 24, as part of New York City Climate Week. They’ll be joined by UFI Partnership Network member Bentley Systems to feature their co-authored report Built to Endure, previously highlighted by UFI in March. The program will elevate approaches to addressing America’s infrastructure challenges through policy, technology, and planning, and feature a keynote address from Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and New York DOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez.
Imagine a Day Without Water | Thursday, October 15
UFI Steering Committee member Value of Water Campaign will hold its annual Imagine a Day Without Water, a National Day of Action, on Thursday, October 15. The day brings together thousands of people and organizations across the country to highlight the value of water in our daily lives and the systems that deliver it.
Stay Connected!
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Got a story we should know about? Has your infrastructure project or initiative been in the news lately? Help us amplify it by tagging us: @United4infra or #UnitedForInfrastructure.