U.S. CMAQ – highway construction equipment retrofits

The recent U.S. Transportation Equity Act, contains important nonroad provisions. One is that states will be able to use funds included in the bill for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) programs to purchase diesel retrofit emission controls for construction equipment used in Federally funded highway projects.

The transportation bill directs states and metropolitan planning organizations to give priority in the distribution of CMAQ funds to diesel retrofits in nonattainment areas, especially where they are required under construction contracts.

Diesel retrofits are one of the most cost-effective emissions reductions strategies eligible for funding under the CMAQ program according to the Washington (DC) Council of Governments and the Transportation Research Board.