WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) and U.S. Representative Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Extreme Heat Caucus, unveiled the Heat Emergency Assistance for Transportation (HEAT) Act. This bipartisan legislation recognizes extreme heat as a growing threat to America’s roads and bridges and unlocks critical resources to repair infrastructure that has suffered heat-related damage.
According to research by Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, high temperatures can cause bridge expansion joints to crack or fail, accelerate the degradation of concrete and steel, and weaken structural integrity over time. This threat is particularly acute for aging infrastructure that was not designed to withstand the prolonged heat exposure now occurring across much of the country. Last summer, bridges as far north as New York City and Maine closed due to heat damage.
“When roads and bridges deteriorate from heat, they can damage vehicles, grind traffic to a halt, and interrupt Americans’ lives and businesses,” Stanton said. “I’m proud to work with my Extreme Heat Caucus Co-Chair, Congressman Lawler, to tackle this issue head on. Our HEAT Act gives states the clarity they need to protect the roads and bridges that millions of Americans depend on every day and makes sure federal officials understand the transportation challenges of a hotter future."
“Extreme heat is a growing threat to our nation’s transportation infrastructure. The HEAT Act of 2025 provides emergency relief for bridges and roads damaged by high temperatures, keeping critical transportation networks safe and operational,” said Congressman Lawler (NY-17).
The HEAT Act includes four key provisions:
- Extreme Heat as a Qualifying Natural Disaster: Explicitly adds extreme heat to the definition of a natural disaster under the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program.
- Emergency Relief for At-Risk Bridges: Creates an emergency relief exception for bridges experiencing accelerated deterioration from extreme heat exposure that are at risk of imminent collapse.
- Comprehensive Study on Heat Impacts: Directs the Secretary of Transportation to commission a study by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies to examine the measurable impacts of extreme heat on federal highways and bridge infrastructure.
- Best Practices Report for Future Construction: Requires the Department of Transportation to release guidance on best management practices for highway and bridge safety in extreme heat conditions.
Text of the bill is HERE. A one pager is HERE.