The US Department of Transportation (US DOT) has launched a new initiative to support the development of energy, telecommunications and other utility infrastructure alongside existing highway and rail corridors.
Known as America’s Great Corridors of Commerce (AGCC), the voluntary programme would enable state departments of transportation and railroads to make rights-of-way available for infrastructure such as electricity transmission lines, fibre-optic cables and water pipelines.
The initiative is intended to use existing transportation corridors to support the expansion of utility networks while creating potential new sources of revenue for the maintenance and improvement of transport infrastructure.
Under the proposed model, rights-of-way owners could work with private-sector ‘Corridor Managers, which would oversee the design, development, operation and maintenance of utility infrastructure within the corridors.
Using existing transportation land in this way could reduce the need to acquire additional private property, thus lowering project development costs. The department also said the approach could streamline environmental and permitting processes, depending on the requirements.
Revenue generated through utility leases could be used to support repairs and upgrades to infrastructure along the relevant corridor, including roads, bridges, tunnels and railways.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said:America has always been at the bleeding edge of innovation. But we will lose the race to develop the technologies of the future if we cannot lower costs and get the government out of the way.
By working with the private sector to combine our existing transportation network with transmission lines, fiber optic cables, and other critical infrastructure, we can make energy more affordable and fuel American industry for generations to come. Under President Trump, we will continue to slash red tape, stop the endless delays, and reverse skyrocketing project costs to get America building again.
The programme is being developed through the USDOT’s Build America Bureau, which has published a Request for Information on the proposed AGCC model and its implementation. The RFI will remain open for public comment until 12 September 2026.
The Build America Bureau plans to select up to five initial priority corridors. These would receive technical assistance, support with permitting and access to public-private partnership models intended to support the delivery of utility infrastructure.
US DOT has linked the initiative to growing demand for electricity transmission capacity and fibre-optic infrastructure. The department said expanding these networks will be important for supporting manufacturing, data centres and other industries with increasing energy and connectivity requirements.
Build America Bureau Executive Director Morteza Farajian, Ph.D. said:AGCC is a voluntary program that is all about providing new, efficient, and effective choices to those looking for innovative solutions to build smarter and better integrated corridors.
America can’t wait decades for modern utility and transportation infrastructure. By leveraging our existing transportation rights-of-way and bringing in private sector partners, we are charting an innovative path forward for a new age of infrastructure delivery established on strong partnerships, aligned interests, cutting through red tape and bureaucracy, collaboration, and efficiency.
