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Legislation News & Report (TM) TheWeekInCongress.com (TM) Managing America: Transportation |
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TheWeekInCongress.com (TM) Week Ending March 30, 2006
H.R.1195 To amend the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users to make technical corrections, and for other purposes.
The 2005 bill that this one amends set forth thousands of transportation spending projects approved for many US communities in most states and spent over $200 billion to do so. Despite a majority of funds coming from highway taxes and returned to the States in amounts set by a formula, the original bill sparked much dissent that many of the projects were not directly related to transportation (bike and hiking paths) and others seemed enormously expensive such as the over $200 million approved for the so-called ‘bridge to nowhere’ in Alaska.
The Highway Trust fund is sometime described as an accounting mechanism that keeps track of revenue from gas, diesel, large truck use, small truck sales and tire sales against requests from states and local governments to spend the money on local projects. The projects must be approved in a bill as was the case in 2005. That bill (HR 3 passed July 29, 2005) expires in 2009.
This bill modifies already approved projects, increases spending for some and decreases spending for others and makes benign technical changes along the way.
In Title I, $20 million is set as the maximum spending for maintaining forest roads along with $1 million for signs identifying public hunting and fishing access and no more than $10 million to facilitate the passage of aquatic species beneath forest roads through culverts, etcetera.
Authorization of funding for ‘idle reduction’ facilities on highways is removed. The facilities were intended to give electricity and other support to truckers who would normally idle their vehicles when pulled over to rest increasing air pollution.
Magnetic levitation transportation project funding is set at $20 million for 2007 and $35 million 2008 and 2009 in the form of contract authority. Under current law, funding for projects that use magnetic force to suspend and propel a transportation system are authorized to be appropriated. The bill would amend the authorization to create $20 million in contract authority in 2007 and a total of $90 million over 2007-2009 period. Contract authority is essentially approval of the project and authorization to enter into contracts to spend before the money is appropriated. Up to $1 million may be spent for participation in the joint operation center for fuel compliance within the Dept of Treasury, increasing funding for motor fuel tax enforcement officers and other staff, as well as development, certification, operation and maintenance of electronic filing systems, certification systems and single point filing systems to coordinate data exchange with the IRS.
“The National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Commission studies and plans for the future of the nation's surface transportation system. This bill would provide the commission with an additional $2 million in contract authority for fiscal year 2007 and rescind $117 million of contract authority in fiscal year 2009. That change, when combined with the new or increased contract authority that would be made available by the legislation, would reduce contract authority by $25 million over the 2007-2009 period.”
The ‘repeat intoxicated driver’ provision is amended to include the provision that those arrested will have their license suspended for not less than a year and a combination of suspension of all driving privileges for 45 days then a reinstatement to drive to and from work, school or an alcohol treatment program if an ignition lock device is installed on the vehicle the arrestee drives. They also may face impoundment of the vehicle or mandatory installation of the ignition lock device. Automatic revocation of the driver’s license occurs no later than 30 days after the date the driver refused to take a sobriety test of having received notice of having been determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol.
HOV lane use is expanded to include low emission and energy-efficient vehicles. Grants are approved to States to “conduct the highway safety programs approved including… development and implementation of manpower training programs, and of demonstration programs.”
Background checks for hazardous material drivers are to be studied to determine which are equal to or less stringent than current checks. A report is due Congress every two years summarizing the extent of hazardous material shipping in the US.
State granted funds must distribute them fairly throughout the state. Bridges that do not produce revenue are qualified to receive assistance. States may not certify a state agency’s application for funds and determine that the agency does not have the funds to support the project
Aside from the modification of dozens of already approved projects in Title I of the bill, Title II and Title III are largely technical changes but the bill boosts funding for research projects thought now to be under funded from the beginning. The Future Strategic Highway program, the University Transportation Center the UD Department of Transportations biennial Conditions and Performance Report received more funds.
The bill sets government sharing percentages at 80% of net costs for capital projects, 90% for bicycle projects connecting to public transportation. Alternative transportation projects in national parks are authorized.
Sponsor: Rep. James L. Oberstar (D-MN-8th) Vote: Passed House by voice vote March 26, 2007. Cost to the taxpayers: “The legislation would not amend the obligation limitations specified in current law; thus, CBO estimates that implementing this legislation would not have a significant impact on discretionary outlays. However H.R. 1195 would affect direct spending by amending the authorization for a specific project that CBO expects would not be completed under current law, CBO estimates that the resulting increase in direct spending would be $499,000. Enacting H.R. 1195 would not affect revenues.” Earmark Certification: No apparent earmarks in this bill. ## All Rights Reserved. © 2007 TheWeekInCongress.com(TM) No reproduction, language translation or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.(TM)
MORE INFORMATION PROJECTS AUTHORIZED OR CHANGED 1 CA Construct safe access to streets for bicyclists and pedestrians including crosswalks, sidewalks and traffic calming measures, Covina $400,000 * * * * * * * [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 34 TN [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 52 MI [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
61 AL Grade crossing improvements along Wiregrass Central RR at Boll Weevil Bypass in Enterprise, AL $250,000 * * * * * * * 64 PA Improvements to exits along Interstate 81 in Franklin County, PA--Antrim Road [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 80 PA Design and construct relocation of U.S. 11 between Ridge Hill and Hempt Roads [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 87 MO [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 98 MN [Struck out->][
[Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 128 MO Widening, curb and gutter improvements on Hwy 92 as part of Hwy 33 redevelopment project in Kearney [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 154 MN Construct recreational visitor center on the Mesabi Trail, City of [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 159 IN [Struck out->][ * * * * * * * 161 AK [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 170 PA [Struck out->][ * * * * * * * 193 ME [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 207 PA SR 219 Purchase of right-of-way and completion of four lane extension from the Town of Somerset to the Maryland border [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 221 NY [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 240 PA Design, construct intersection and other upgrades on PA 24 and 124 in York County, PA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 259 MN [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 274 MI [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 277 IL [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 301 NJ [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 314 FL [Struck out->][ * * * * * * * 324 MI [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 342 PA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 372 PA Design, engineering, ROW acquisition, and construction of streetscaping enhancements, paving, lighting, safety improvements, parking, and roadway redesign, replacement of the Nesbitt Street Bridge, and placement of a guard rail adjacent to St. Vladimir's Cemetery on Mountain Road (S.R. 1007) in Larksville Borough, Luzerne County $160,000
* * * * * * * 395 TN [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 398 IL [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 424 NY Construct sidewalk and improvements on Broadway in the Town of Cortlandt [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 446 AK [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 463 TN Plan and construct a bicycle and pedestrian trail, [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 545 ME [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 576 NE [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 595 CA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 615 NY [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 625 PA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 649 NY [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 655 MN Environmental studies, safety improvement construction, and right-of-way acquisition for Trunk Highway 55 Corridor Protection Project $4,000,000
* * * * * * * 671 OH Perry Park Road Improvements [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
674 AL Grade crossing improvements along Conecuh Valley RR at Henderson Highway (CR-21) in Troy, AL $300,000 * * * * * * * 676 WI [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 697 PA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 716 CA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 726 CA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
739 AL Grade crossing improvements along Luxapalila Valley RR in Lamar and Fayette Counties, AL (Crossings at CR-6, CR-20, SH-7, James Street, and College Drive) $300,000 * * * * * * * 746 OH [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
749 PA UPMC Heliport in Bedford $750,000 * * * * * * 753 PA Widening of Rt. 22 and SR 26 in Huntingdon. Upgrades to the interchange at U.S. Rt. 22 and SR 26 [Struck out->][
* * * * * * [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 766 MA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 770 OH [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 777 AK [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 799 PA Widening of Route 40 in Wharton Township, Fayette County, Pa [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 803 IL Widening of Old Madison Road, [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 805 PA Design, engineering, ROW acquisition, and construction of streetscaping enhancements, paving, lighting, safety improvements, parking, and roadway redesign on Oak Street from Stark Street to the township line at Mayock Street and on East Mountain Boulevard in Plains Township, Luzerne County $160,000
* * * * * * * 813 MN [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 816 MI Widening of M-24 from two lanes to four lanes with a boulevard from I-69 to the county line [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 826 PA Design, engineering, ROW acquisition, and construction of a connector road between PA 115 [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 829 MA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 852 FL [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 881 CA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 883 PA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 889 CO [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 923 IL [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 947 FL [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 959 GA Construct and Improve Westside Parkway, [Struck out->][
[Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 963 IL [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 967 PA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 983 MD [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 989 PA Design, engineering, ROW acquisition, and construction of streetscaping enhancements, paving, lighting, safety improvements, parking, and roadway redesign on Old Ashley Road, Ashley Street, Phillips Street, First Street, Ferry Road, and Division Street in Hanover Township, Luzerne County $160,000
* * * * * * * 994 $0 994 PA Construct 2 flyover ramps and S. Linden Street exit for access to industrial sites in the cities of McKeesport and Duquesne $500,000 * * * * * * * 996 PA Acquisition of adjacent property to planned Park-n-Ride at Kressler and Hamilton Boulevards in Wescosville, PA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1015 MN [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1039 CA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1047 AK [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1059 NY Town of Chester Surrey Meadow subdivision road improvements [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1101 GA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1124 ME Construct bicycle and pedestrian [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1157 PA Design, engineering, ROW acquisition and construction of streetscaping enhancements, paving, lighting, safety improvements, parking and roadway redesign on Mill Street from Prince Street to Roberts Street, John Street from Roberts Street to end, Thomas Street from Roberts Street to end, Williams Street from Roberts Street to end, Charles Street from Roberts Street to end, Fair Street from Roberts Street to end, Newport Avenue from East Kirmar Avenue to end in Newport Township, Luzerne County $160,000
* * * * * * * 1206 NY Replace structurally deficient bridge over the Pocantico River, the Village of [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1210 NY [Struck out->][
[Struck out->][
1211 PA Road improvements and upgrades related to the Pennsylvania State Baseball Stadium $500,000 * * * * * * * [Struck out->][
1216 PA For roadway construction improvements to Route 222 relocation, Lehigh County $1,313,000 * * * * * * * [Struck out->][
1256 PA Construction of a bridge over Brandywine Creek as part of the Boot Road extension project, Downingtown Borough $700,000 * * * * * * * 1275 NJ [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1278 NY Land acquisition and improvements on Louisa Street, Peekskill, NY [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1281 MS [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
1291 PA Enhance parking facilities in Chester Springs, Historic Yellow Springs $20,000 * * * * * * * [Struck out->][
1304 PA Improve the intersection at SR 100/SR 4003 (Kernsville Road), Lehigh County $250,000 * * * * * * * 1328 NJ [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1345 MI Construction of a hike and bike path from Riverbends Park, 22 Mile Road, [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1354 PA Conversion of Penn and Park Bridges located over Spring Run in Altoona, PA into pedestrian bridges [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
1357 PA Intersection signalization at SR 3020 (Newburg Road)/Country Club Road, Northampton County $250,000 * * * * * * * 1363 PA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1386 NJ [Struck out->][ * * * * * * * [Struck out->][
1395 PA Improve the intersection at SR 100/SR 29, Lehigh County $220,000 * * * * * * * 1450 OH Planning and construction on bike paths and trails as part of Phases [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1487 FL Widen State Road 80, Hendry County [Struck out->][
1488 SD [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
1496 PA Study future needs of East-West road infrastructure in Adams County $115,200 * * * * * * * 1501 MN [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1519 PA Design, engineering, ROW acquisition, and construction of streetscaping enhancements, paving, lighting, safety improvements, parking and roadway redesign at the intersection of Quincy/West Drinker/Electric Streets near the Dunmore School complex in Dunmore Borough, Lackawanna County $320,000
* * * * * * * 1525 FL Four-laning SR 281 (Avalon Boulevard) in Santa Rosa County from Interstate 10 to [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1533 PA Improvements to 8th and 9th Street bridges between Pleasant Valley Blvd. and Valley View Blvd., Altoona, PA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1544 FL Plan and Construct 17th Street [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1575 PA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1579 CA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1639 CA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1661 AK [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1738 AZ [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1765 PA [Struck out->][ * * * * * * * 1783 FL [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1810 MN [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1847 AK [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1849 PA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1852 ID Reconstruct Grangemont Road (Idaho Forest Highway 67) from Orofino to [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1926 OH [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1933 CA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1975 AK [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 1983 PA Provide access to HOV ramp from Reedsdale Street with traffic signals, pavement markings, lane control and fast acting gates [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2002 AK [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2015 PA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2023 IN [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * [Struck out->][
2031 GA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2035 FL [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2068 UT Increase lane capacity and approaches on bridge over Virgin River on Washington Fields Road in Washington $3,000,000
* * * * * * * 2087 IL [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2096 PA Design and construct interchange and related improvements at I-83 Exit 18 [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2103 NE Design, right-of-way and construction for the Louisville Bypass, Nebraska [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2144 PA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2166 MN [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2168 PA [Struck out->][ * * * * * * * 2211 OH [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2219 OH Improvements to [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2234 PA [Struck out->][ * * * * * * * 2274 MI Westland, Ann Arbor Trail [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2302 OH Construct highway-rail crossing safety upgrades at 3 grade crossings and other road improvements to Safford Street in Madison Village, OH $240,000
* * * * * * * 2308 PA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2316 FL [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2332 PA To enhance existing directional markers and increase wayfinding signage infrastructure in [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2342 OH Streetscaping, bicycle trails, and related improvements to the I-90--SR 615 Interchange and to Heisley Road in Mentor, OH $2,800,000
* * * * * * * 2338 PA Engineering, design and construction of an extension of Park Avenue north to Lakemont Park in Altoona [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2352 CA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * 2366 PA [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2375 NY [Struck out->][ * * * * * * * 2420 IL [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2424 AZ Many Farms, Apache County--For the [Struck out->][
* * * * * * * 2429 IL [Struck out->][ | |||||||||||||||
