The Senate voted 83 to 16 to pass the bipartisan House-Senate transportation conference report, Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. But Tagert said he had not seen enough finalized details to make extensive comments on the bill’s specifics related to Mississippi.
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Rokita, a member of the House Transportation Committee, says part of that money can be used, for the first time ever, to explore ways to separate commercial traffic – like trucks – from passenger vehicles. The states provide over half of all public transportation trips in the U.S. The House bill would have made the money available to bus systems in all states. In addition, the FAST Act will transform the National Freight Policy provisions of the previous highway bill, MAP-21 into a new National Freight Program that will fund freight-related highway improvements. “At its core, the legislation shows commitment to a safe, efficient and well-maintained infrastructure, and this long-term measure offers greater certainty to projects at the state and local level, helps move people and products and keeps our economy strong and vibrant”, said Rep. Tom Cole, applauding the bill, according to NewsOK. “It simply kicks the can down the road”, added Senator Corker. “This bill does just that”.
Cramer said the long-term certainty the bill provides to local and state highway departments “is especially important for cold-weather states like North Dakota with short construction seasons”.
“Strengthening our transportation network is vital to boosting economic growth, creating jobs, and increasing competitiveness in Missouri, and across the nation”, Blunt said.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) praised the bill’s rail safety provisions, such as a requirement that railroads inform first responders about hazardous materials moving through their communities.
The bill also includes Wicker’s proposal to reauthorize the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), which would approve $100 million annually over the next five years, including $10 million a year to improve rural broadband services. MS has 24 counties within ARC’s province.
The legislation also carries over the requirement that FMCSA completes an “complete overhaul” of the Compliance, Safety and Accountability program, or CSA. Salwei said that assures states will be reimbursed by the Federal Highway Administration in a timely manner. Louisiana’s Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy and David Vitter also voted for the bill.
“The City of Portland is happy that Congress passed a transportation bill”, said PBOT spokesman Dylan Rivera.
“Obviously we got projects up there that we wanted and I-11 is one of them, but I do believe one of the critical responsibilities of the federal government is to provide infrastructure for their states”, he said. “The bill streamlines the environmental review and project approval processes, which will save time and money”.
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The Congressional Budget Office projects the measure will reduce the federal deficit by $71 billion over the course of the next decade.
