H.R. 502 — Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act

This section modifies the rural surface transportation grant program by (1) revising the definition of rural area to an area outside an urbanized area with a population of 30,000 or less (from over 200,000) and adding a definition of small community as an area outside an urbanized area with a population of 5,000 or less; (2) adding a program goal to generate economic growth and development in rural areas and small communities to improve quality of life; (3) adding as an eligible project a highway, road, bridge, or tunnel project that benefits the economic development or quality of life of the community in which the project is located; (4) striking subsection (i), redesignating subsequent subsections, and making conforming changes; (5) authorizing a federal share of up to 90 percent for projects in small communities; and (6) requiring not less than 5 percent of program funds each fiscal year for eligible projects in small communities.