USDOT’s New Direction: What DOT Order 2100.7 Means for the Connector and the Future of Federal Infrastructure Funding

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has entered a new era of infrastructure policy. Following the confirmation of Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, USDOT issued DOT Order 2100.7, a sweeping directive that reshapes the federal approach to transportation funding. The order places renewed emphasis on economic merit, infrastructure delivery, and agency accountability—and the Capital SouthEast Connector is well-positioned to thrive under this updated framework.

Back to Basics: Building Infrastructure That Moves People and Commerce

On March 10, 2025, Secretary Duffy officially rescinded several Biden-era policy directives, signaling a decisive return to core infrastructure priorities. Describing the move as a return to “building critical infrastructure projects that move people and move commerce safely,” Duffy criticized prior guidance for “injecting a social justice and environmental agenda” into transportation decision-making.

Specifically, the new USDOT framework focuses on:

• Rigorous cost-benefit analysis

• Community impact assessments

• Alignment with national economic and infrastructure goals

• Preference for public-private partnerships and user-pay models

• Strict compliance with federal law, including immigration policies

• Restrictions on mandates, including vaccine and mask requirements

• Priority for projects that support family formation, economic opportunity, and mobility

This new direction recognizes the practical constraints of limited funding and stresses efficient use of taxpayer dollars. As Secretary Duffy stated, “When you don’t have to pay for things that aren’t critical, your money goes farther.”

Reviewing Past Awards: What the New USDOT Guidance Means for Existing Grants

In a follow-up directive issued March 11, 2025, Secretary Duffy instructed USDOT administrators to review pending discretionary grant awards from the previous administration. Any projects that had not yet entered into formal grant agreements by January 20 must be reassessed—particularly those that include elements such as:

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies

• Climate change initiatives

• Environmental Justice (EJ)

• Gender-specific components

• Recreational bicycle infrastructure

• Electric Vehicle (EV) programs or charging infrastructure

Projects that fall into these categories may face renegotiation—or even cancellation. This review stems from President Trump’s Day One executive orders, which called for the elimination of DEI, EJ, and EV-related government spending.

While no formal timeline has been provided for the review process, ARTBA (American Road & Transportation Builders Association) expects many affected projects will eventually move forward—assuming alignment with the new criteria.

Looking Ahead: Positioning for Future Funding

For agencies like the Connector JPA, DOT Order 2100.7 provides a clear policy roadmap. Projects that are economically sound, non-ideological, and focused on traditional infrastructure delivery will have a distinct advantage in future federal funding rounds.

As the Connector team continues to pursue additional grant opportunities, staff will monitor new USDOT guidance closely and ensure that all applications reflect the updated federal priorities and evaluation criteria.

In an era of limited resources, focus, efficiency, and discipline will determine which projects get built. The Connector is ready.

The Connector’s Competitive Advantage

The Capital SouthEast Connector aligns squarely with the principles laid out in DOT Order 2100.7:

• It is shovel-ready, with final design and permitting underway.

• It has a strong economic justification, designed to improve freight mobility, reduce regional congestion, and support housing and job access.

• It leverages local and state match funding, including a $25 million RAISE grant and a pending $20 million TCEP request.

• It enjoys bipartisan support from local, state, and federal representatives.

• And it focuses on core highway infrastructure

By staying focused on capacity expansion, safety, and economic impact, the Connector is precisely the type of project favored under the new federal framework.