How Contractors Can Shape Federal Highway Funding Through Strategic Advocacy

The federal highway funding landscape is at a critical inflection point. While the FAST Act of 2015 provided a temporary solution, the Congressional Budget Office projected that the Highway Trust Fund would reach zero balance by 2021, requiring over $113 billion in additional revenue to sustain funding levels. For contractors who depend on a steady pipeline of federal and state highway projects, this creates significant uncertainty. Understanding how to engage with the legislative process is no longer optional for construction professionals. By learning the fundamentals of highway alignment types and the factors that shape transportation infrastructure, contractors can better articulate the real-world impact of funding decisions. This article provides a practical roadmap for contractors who want to become effective advocates for the highway construction industry, covering everything from relationship-building with lawmakers to long-term strategic engagement.

Understanding the Highway Trust Fund and Its Revenue Challenge

The Highway Trust Fund has been the primary mechanism for federal investment in road and bridge infrastructure for decades. However, its revenue model is showing serious strain. The federal fuel tax, which supplies most of the Trust Fund’s revenue, has not been increased since 1993. Meanwhile, construction costs have risen substantially, vehicles have become more fuel-efficient, and the nation’s infrastructure needs continue to grow. The result is a structural gap between what the Trust Fund collects and what is needed to maintain and improve the system. This challenge is not limited to traditional road construction. Broader trends in construction materials and methods are also reshaping contractor priorities, as seen in how homeowners increasingly turn to innovative concrete flooring solutions, highlighting the expanding role of construction materials across different market segments. The funding crisis in the highway sector mirrors a broader need for investment in built infrastructure across the country.

Why the FAST Act Fell Short

The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act was signed into law in December 2015 and represented the first long-term surface transportation bill in a decade. It authorized $305 billion over five years for highways, bridges, and transit. While this provided much-needed stability compared to the series of short-term extensions that preceded it, the underlying funding mechanism remained broken. Key issues include:

• The federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon had not been adjusted since 1993, losing roughly 40% of its purchasing power to inflation.
• Vehicle fuel efficiency improvements reduced per-mile tax revenue even as total vehicle miles traveled increased.
• The Congressional Budget Office projected that the Trust Fund would face a $113 billion shortfall in the six years following the FAST Act’s authorization period.

These structural issues mean that even well-intentioned legislation cannot fully address the funding gap without new revenue sources. Contractors who understand this reality are better positioned to advocate for meaningful solutions.

Building Relationships with Legislators and Industry Allies

Effective advocacy begins before any legislation is introduced. The most successful contractors in the policy arena are those who invest time in understanding the legislative process and building genuine relationships with the people who represent them. This foundational work pays dividends when critical votes or funding decisions arise. Just as plastic roads and other innovative materials are reshaping construction practices, new approaches to advocacy are reshaping how contractors engage with policymakers.

Identify Your Members of Congress

The first step in any advocacy campaign is knowing exactly who represents you. Every contractor should be able to name their two U.S. Senators and their House Representative. Beyond the names, understanding their committee assignments is crucial. A representative on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has far more direct influence over highway funding than one on the Education committee. Key questions to research include:

• How did your legislators vote on the FAST Act or subsequent transportation bills?
• What is their stated position on increasing revenue for the Highway Trust Fund?
• Do they support expanding the Federal Highway Program or shifting more responsibility to states?

Build a Coalition of Fellow Advocates

No single contractor can move the needle on federal funding alone. Building a coalition multiplies your impact. The most effective coalitions include partners from across the construction ecosystem:

• Local Chambers of Commerce who can connect you with retailers and business leaders who depend on reliable transportation networks.
• Equipment dealers and parts suppliers whose sales track with road-building activity.
• Engineering firms that design the projects contractors build.
• Fuel suppliers and material producers who benefit from steady construction volumes.

When these groups speak with a unified voice, legislators take notice. A letter signed by a dozen local business leaders carries more weight than a dozen individual letters sent separately.

Strategic Advocacy Actions That Drive Results

Once you have identified your targets and built your coalition, it is time to take concrete action. The advocacy techniques that produce the best results combine personal engagement with organized, professional communication. Understanding how to navigate competitive markets extends beyond construction projects. For example, the strategies that help buyers succeed in a competitive real estate market, as outlined in how to buy a house in a seller market, share similarities with the persistence and preparation needed for effective legislative advocacy.

Direct Communication Strategies

Below is a comparison of different advocacy methods and their relative effectiveness based on contractor experience and industry association guidance:

Email and Digital Advocacy

Digital communication makes advocacy accessible to every contractor, regardless of company size. A well-crafted email takes only a few minutes but can have meaningful impact when done correctly. The key is personalization. Form letters are easily spotted and easily dismissed. A brief, authentic message from a constituent about how a specific funding issue affects their business and employees is far more effective. Key practices include:

• Research the latest issue before writing so your message is timely.
• Reference your specific role in the community (number of employees, projects completed, years in business).
• Ask a specific question or request a specific action.
• Follow up after the response to continue the dialogue.

In-Person Meetings and Plant Tours

Face-to-face meetings remain the gold standard for advocacy. Legislators and their staff are more likely to remember and act on a conversation they had in person. The most impactful option is hosting a plant tour or job site visit, which allows lawmakers to see firsthand the equipment, workforce, and expertise that goes into building and maintaining the nation’s highway system. As previously discussed in 10 ways contractors can help impact the federal highway market, holding a plant tour is one of the most effective ways to establish a working relationship while simultaneously educating legislators about pressing industry issues. Preparation for these meetings includes knowing the legislator’s current priorities, having clear talking points, and bringing concise written materials that can be left behind.

Sustaining Long-Term Industry Influence

Advocacy is not a one-time activity. The most effective contractors treat government relations as an ongoing business function, not a crisis response. This long-term perspective separates companies that shape policy from those that simply react to it.

Support Industry Associations

Trade associations such as the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) and the Transportation Construction Coalition provide the infrastructure for collective advocacy. They track legislation, organize fly-ins, conduct research, and maintain Political Action Committees (PACs) that amplify industry voices. Membership dues and active participation in these organizations multiply the impact of individual advocacy efforts. The main federal issues these associations track include:

• Highway and airport funding authorization levels
• Asphalt research and technology development funding
• Pavement type-selection mandates that could limit material choice
• Pavement design standards and specifications
• Sustainability regulations affecting production and construction methods

Vote and Encourage Others to Vote

Voting is the foundation of democratic advocacy. Contractors and their employees represent a significant voting bloc in many districts, particularly in rural and suburban areas where construction is a major employer. Encouraging voter registration and turnout among employees, subcontractors, and suppliers strengthens the industry’s political voice. This is not about party affiliation but about demonstrating that transportation infrastructure is a priority issue for a substantial number of constituents.

Stay Informed and Share Knowledge

The policy landscape around highway funding shifts constantly. New legislation, changing committee leadership, and evolving transportation needs all affect the advocacy environment. Contractors should designate someone in their organization to monitor relevant policy developments and share updates with the team. Understanding the technical aspects of transportation infrastructure, such as traffic engineering principles and highway capacity analysis, can help contractors speak knowledgeably about the projects that depend on federal funding. The more informed the industry voice, the more seriously it is taken by policymakers.

Participate in Legislative Fly-Ins

The Transportation Construction Coalition hosts an annual legislative fly-in that brings together contractors, engineers, and industry leaders in Washington, D.C. These events include coordinated meetings with legislators, briefings from the Federal Highway Administration, and networking opportunities with peers from across the country. Participation signals a serious commitment to advocacy and provides the structured environment needed for productive conversations with policymakers.

Conclusion: Turning Advocacy Into Action

The federal highway funding challenge will not resolve itself. While the FAST Act provided temporary relief, structural issues in the Highway Trust Fund’s revenue model mean that ongoing advocacy is essential to secure the resources needed for the nation’s transportation infrastructure. Contractors who invest time in understanding the legislative process, building relationships with lawmakers, and participating in collective advocacy efforts position themselves and their industry for long-term success. The advocacy methods outlined in this article provide a practical framework that any contractor can implement, starting with small steps like identifying their members of Congress and building toward more intensive engagement such as hosting plant tours and participating in industry fly-ins. By taking action today, contractors can help shape the funding solutions that will determine the health of the federal highway market for years to come.