WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla is questioning Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) administrator Sean McMaster about the Trump Administration’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
“California has several projects that were awarded funding in previous fiscal years that have not been able to move forward, either because obligations have stalled or because other final actions remain pending,” Padilla said. “California is a big state with a big economy, so these projects are not small or narrow investments. Several carry significant regional economic impact, and they represent federal dollars that have already been approved and committed.”
Padilla pushed for the release of stalled funding for California transportation projects across the state and discussed rising costs families are facing as a result of the administration’s policies.
Unexplained Pauses in California Grants
In the hearing, Padilla pressed McMaster about unexplained pauses in grants awarded to California, including more than $160 million to support highway infrastructure in the Bay Area, $105 million for safety improvements near the Port of Redwood City, and nearly $100 million for interchange improvements in the Central Valley.
Padilla secured a commitment from McMaster to provide an update on the status of funding for these and dozens of other previously awarded grants being held up by the Trump Administration. In addition to discussing blocked projects, Padilla reminded McMaster about the importance of securing transportation funding for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.
He noted that the Administration has directed LA Metro to seek funding within existing DOT programs for transportation infrastructure to ensure the games run smoothly. He highlighted LA Metro’s attempts to work with FHWA to secure a Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan for the I-105 Express Lanes Project, which is central to LA Metro’s Games mobility plan. Padilla secured a commitment from McMaster to review the loan and follow-up in the coming days.
Rising Gas Prices
Padilla also expressed concern about rising gas prices, noting that electric vehicles (EVs) have become more affordable and an increasingly popular option for consumers nationwide. As many federal EV and alternative fueling charging infrastructure programs fall under FHWA’s jurisdiction, Padilla questioned whether EV charging projects are being funded equitably and being taken seriously as a potential cost-saving measure for Americans who are getting squeezed at the gas pump due to President Trump’s war with Iran.
“More than a billion dollars in charging projects are also shovel-ready, with funding awarded and waiting to be put to work,” Padilla said. “Now, while the funding is not moving, it’s not just contractors that aren’t being hired or chargers that aren’t being built, but families are locked into high prices that Americans are experiencing right now and not being able to exercise options for what types of vehicles they want.”
Advocate for Critical Funding
Padilla has been a strong advocate for critical funding for California’s transportation and infrastructure projects. This year, Padilla announced that the Los Angeles metro area will receive nearly $90 million for transit costs associated with hosting the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games. Last year, Padilla announced over $258 million for California transportation infrastructure projects across the state.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
