1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Build America Act of 2018 . 2. National infrastructure investment program (a) Establishment The Secretary of Transportation shall carry out a national infrastructure investment program (in this section referred to as the program ) for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure in accordance with the requirements of this section. (b) Discretionary grants The Secretary shall distribute funds made available to carry out the program as discretionary grants to be awarded to a State, local government, or transit agency, or a collaboration among such entities, on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant impact on the Nation, a metropolitan area, or a region. (c) Eligible projects Projects that are eligible for funding under the program include, at a minimum, the following: (1) Highway and bridge projects eligible under title 23, United States Code. (2) Public transportation projects eligible under chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code. (3) Passenger and freight rail transportation projects. (4) Port infrastructure investments (including inland port infrastructure and land ports of entry). (d) TIFIA The Secretary may use up to 20 percent of the funds made available to carry out the program for a fiscal year for the purpose of paying the subsidy and administrative costs of projects eligible for Federal credit assistance under chapter 6 of title 23, United States Code, if the Secretary finds that such use of the funds would advance the purposes of the program. (e) Distribution of funds In distributing funds provided under the program, the Secretary shall take measures to ensure— (1) an equitable geographic distribution of funds; (2) an appropriate balance in addressing the needs of urban and rural areas; and (3) investment in a variety of transportation modes. (f) Fair consideration The Secretary shall ensure that— (1) eligible projects receive fair consideration under the program