Secretary Duffy tells senators 3,200 announced projects lack signed grant agreements

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee that the Department of Transportation inherited about 3,200 announced projects that do not yet have signed grant agreements and that the department is working to complete those agreements as a priority.

"There are 3,200 announced projects at the department that don't have signed grant agreements. 3,200," Duffy said, adding many of the announcements dated back to 2022. He told senators that completing the grant agreements and getting money "out the door" is the "hard work" and a top priority for the department.

Multiple senators urged faster execution. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Senator Alex Padilla said delays have held up bridge and transit projects in their states; Senator Bob Menendez, Senator Ben Ray Luján and others listed specific projects that were announced but not yet obligating funds. Senator Duffy said some announced projects have unresolved environmental reviews or scope issues and that some projects proposing capacity expansion were slower to move toward grant agreements.

Duffy said the department will work to process the backlog but asked for patience given the historic scale of the announced awards. He said the administration will prioritize high-need projects for spring construction season and commit to bipartisan execution. Several senators asked for follow-up for specific projects and Duffy agreed to have DOT staff work directly with senator offices to resolve outstanding documentation and agreements.

No formal action was taken at the hearing; senators were given a deadline to submit written questions for the record.