U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) have introduced the Streamlining Modeling for Advanced, Rapid Transportation (SMART) Infrastructure Act of 2025 in Washington, D.C. The legislation aims to update the federal permitting process for transportation infrastructure by using digital twin technology and establishing a unified electronic permitting system.
Lummis said, “For too long, our infrastructure projects have been delayed by archaic processes that waste taxpayer dollars and keep critical projects stuck in bureaucratic limbo. The SMART Infrastructure Act brings our permitting system into the 21st century by leveraging proven digital technologies that will cut red tape, increase transparency, and deliver better outcomes for communities.”
Kelly added, “Arizonans feel it when transportation projects get stuck in years-long reviews because it slows down safety improvements, adds to traffic, and hurts local economies. Using better digital tools to modernize how these projects are reviewed will mean safer roads, less congestion, and faster delivery of the infrastructure improvements communities need.”
The American Council of Engineering Companies commented on the legislation: “The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) commends Senator Lummis and Senator Kelly for their efforts to advance E-NEPA implementation at federal agencies. Effective integration of digital tools and processes in infrastructure project delivery is crucial for improving efficiency, accuracy, collaboration, and sustainability. The guidelines, pilot projects, and agency coordination provided in the bill will equip our public sector partners to leverage digital models and modernize the permitting process.”
The Business Software Alliance also expressed support: “The Business Software Alliance commends Senators Cynthia Lummis and Mark Kelly for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the SMART Act. This legislation helps advance AI adoption by modernizing America’s infrastructure permitting process and helping businesses better harness cutting-edge engineering and construction software.”
Key elements of the proposed legislation include requiring the Department of Transportation to develop guidelines within 18 months that allow advanced 3D digital modeling in project permitting. A pilot program will be launched within 120 days involving at least ten infrastructure projects to demonstrate whether modern technology can speed up results while reducing costs.
Another provision requires DOT to create a national e-NEPA portal within two years as a centralized platform for submitting, reviewing, and tracking documents related to environmental reviews. The act also mandates at least a 25% reduction in review timelines for projects using these new tools.
These measures are designed to shorten permit review times so that construction jobs can start sooner and communities receive needed infrastructure more quickly.
