Congressman Josh Riley is co-leading a new bipartisan push to invest $275 million annually in rural road and bridge improvements as part of the federal Highway Reauthorization Bill. The proposed Agricultural & Rural Road Improvement Program (ARRIP) targets critical first- and last-mile connections that support farmers, rural businesses, and local economies.
“Every farmer, every rural business, and every family in Upstate New York deserves safe, reliable roads and bridges,” said Riley. “This bill isn’t about politics—it’s about getting the job done for our rural communities. Better infrastructure means lower costs, fewer delays, and safer roads.”
ARRIP, introduced alongside Congressman Mike Bost of Illinois, would direct federal highway funds to upgrade deteriorating rural infrastructure. The plan aims to eliminate weight restrictions, reduce transportation costs, and increase safety for both agricultural freight and rural families.
“For farmers in Southern Illinois, the rural roads used to haul grain for weighing or to transport feed and fertilizer are often narrow, weight-limited, and in disrepair,” said Bost. “These first-mile and last-mile connections are just as important as the highways they lead to.”
The program is designed to boost rural economic growth by improving market access and lowering costs. It also focuses on enhancing reliability and safety by modernizing heavily used but often overlooked roads and bridges.
Riley, who represents a largely rural district in Upstate New York, has made infrastructure and agricultural support cornerstones of his legislative work. His efforts include bipartisan bills to expand rural cooperatives, support ethical governance, reduce food costs, and strengthen farm-to-school programs.
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