Lets communities use federal highway funds for noise barriers that can also host broadband or solar panels.
This bill would make it easier for communities to get federal money to build noise barriers along highways. It would allow federal Highway Trust Fund money and other grants to pay for certain noise barriers, especially those near older residential areas. The bill also encourages these barriers to serve multiple purposes, like holding solar panels or internet cables, and requires their appearance to be considered.
Today, federal Highway Trust Fund money generally cannot be used for Type II noise barriers, and these barriers are not explicitly eligible for Surface Transportation Block Grant funds. This bill would change that by creating exceptions for using Highway Trust Fund money for certain noise barriers and making them eligible for Surface Transportation Block Grant funds. It would also promote noise barriers that serve multiple purposes, like hosting broadband, and require project planners to consider how they look.
HR 8717 · 119th Congress · May 7, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 8/10
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