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Duffy, pictured before a Senate committee in January, told AASHTO members he thinks USDOT can give state transportation departments more autonomy and authority. (Susan Walsh/Associated Press)

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The nation’s top transportation official during a recent industry conference appeared to offer guidance for federal policymakers to follow when planning federal highway policy updates during this session of Congress.

At the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials conference in Washington on Feb. 5, Secretary Sean Duffy outlined various policy and funding proposals meant to steer Congress’ consideration of upcoming surface transportation legislation.

House and Senate transportation committees are on the clock to draft and advance comprehensive highway legislation; federal authority for certain highway programs expires in the fall of 2026.

Duffy specified among Trump administration priorities a reform of environmental permitting regulations vital to construction projects, adoption of emerging technologies designed to improve safety and efficiency, and creation of a wide-ranging cost-savings framework.

Sean Duffy sec. talks state flexibility, project permitting reform & innovation at the 2025 .

AASHTO DTU: — AASHTO (@aashtospeaks)

“Everyone wants their projects to be funded and fast-tracked and so I think there’s a real understanding right now in Congress that it’s taking way too long. And that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do environmental studies. And that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t go through a permitting process, but we can’t have it take as long as it’s taking right now,” Duffy said during the AASHTO forum.

“So I think there’s a real appetite on the Hill to help us streamline this permitting process to move our projects far more quickly.”

The secretary also expressed support for allowing states to set their own agendas.

“I also think we have to rethink the federal-state partnership. I don’t know that it’s been working so well,” Duffy said. “I think that you guys know how to do your jobs, and I think we should rethink the way we’re doing business together by giving you all a lot more autonomy, a lot more authority, a lot more freedom to do the projects that you know are important in your communities.”

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Last month, AASHTO praised Duffy’s Senate confirmation to join President Donald Trump’s Cabinet. At the time, Jim Tymon, the group’s executive director, said, “With his experience navigating the political landscape as a member of Congress, Secretary Duffy will be a valuable partner to state departments of transportation in building a world-class transportation system that benefits all Americans. From reauthorizing the next federal surface transportation bill to enhancing safety, mobility and quality of life in communities across the country, AASHTO members are eager to collaborate with the Trump administration and Congress to deliver an effective and efficient transportation network for generations to come.”

RELATED: Stakeholders Praise Trump USDOT Leader Nominee Sean Duffy

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On Capitol Hill, Republican leaders have pointed to the potential for introducing later this year a version of a long-term highway bill. Members of the transportation committees intend to adopt Trump’s regulatory streamlining agenda and authorize technological advancements and energy-efficiency initiatives. For Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairwoman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, improving safety throughout mobility corridors will be among her primary objectives. “Safety first, whether it’s how we rebuild our highways … what we’re doing during construction; the materials that we use. Are we building for the cars of the future,” she noted at the AASHTO conference the day before Duffy’s address.

“I am confident that under the secretary’s leadership, we can improve America’s infrastructure by focusing our investments on core projects like roads and bridges, streamlining project delivery, and getting the department back to the fundamental missions of federal transportation programs — moving people and goods safely and efficiently,” Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), the panel’s chairman, said last month. “President Trump is a builder and a strong supporter of infrastructure, and I look forward to working closely with Secretary Duffy to help carry out the president’s vision for the nation’s transportation network as we begin efforts to craft the next surface transportation bill.”

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