U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, newly confirmed to his position, has been at the forefront of significant policy shifts and infrastructure initiatives in the last few days. On January 29, 2025, Secretary Duffy issued a new order and memorandum that outlined major changes to the Department of Transportation's (DOT) policies and programs. These changes are aimed at implementing several executive orders from the previous Trump Administration and mark a broad rollback of regulatory initiatives from the prior administration.

One of the key principles guiding the DOT's new approach is the mandatory cost-benefit analysis for all policymaking, grantmaking, and rulemaking activities. This means that projects will need to demonstrate clear economic advantages before receiving federal support, prioritizing financial viability over environmental or social justice factors. Additionally, the DOT has been directed to review and unilaterally amend the terms and conditions of existing grant agreements, loan agreements, and contracts where legally permissible, which could impact ongoing projects that relied on prior commitments.

Secretary Duffy has also emphasized a return to focusing on projects located in Opportunity Zones, which were designated under the Trump Administration to spur economic development and job creation in distressed communities. Furthermore, the DOT will no longer use or consider the social cost of carbon estimates in its analyses, arguing that such calculations have been overly speculative and burdensome on businesses.

In recent public addresses, Secretary Duffy has highlighted the need to update and modernize the nation's infrastructure. He has pointed out the critical shortfalls in the current air traffic control system, which relies on outdated technology such as old copper wires and floppy discs. Duffy has announced plans to rebuild the air traffic control system, a project that is expected to take between one and a half to two and a half years to complete, pending congressional funding.

Duffy has also addressed the issue of project timelines and costs, noting that infrastructure projects have become excessively expensive and time-consuming. To address this, he has rescinded greenhouse gas emissions requirements and national performance management measures that were in place during the Biden administration. He aims to streamline the paperwork bureaucracy and reform the permitting process to enable faster and more cost-effective project completion.

In a recent keynote address to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Secretary Duffy reiterated his commitment to building more infrastructure with less money and in a shorter period. He emphasized the need for partnership between the DOT and state and local governments to overcome the challenges in the permitting and studies process, which have been criticized for being overly lengthy and bureaucratic.

Additionally, Duffy has announced a new plan to supercharge the hiring of air traffic controllers, a move that follows his tour of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Academy. This initiative is part of his broader effort to improve the efficiency and safety of the nation's air traffic control system.

Overall, Secretary Duffy's tenure has been marked by a strong focus on economic efficiency, infrastructure modernization, and streamlining regulatory processes, signaling a significant shift in federal transportation policy.