MAP-21 Implementation Hearing

Today, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee held a hearing on the implementation of the transportation reauthorization bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21).  At the hearing, Chairman Tom Petri (R-Wis.) and members of the subcommittee heard from Department of Transportation (DOT) modal administrators as to the progress being made in implementing programmatic reform and meeting deadlines mandated in MAP-21.  The subcommittee heard from Victor Mendez of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Peter Rogoff of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Anne Ferro of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and David Strickland of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The administrators provided general updates of where their respective agencies were in implementing the various provisions of MAP-21.  Of particular interest to AGC and its members are the provisions related to project delivery/environmental streamlining, incorporation of performance measures into highway and transit programs, and program consolidation and elimination.  There was not a tremendous amount of details given by the administrators on where they were in the process of implementing MAP-21. Administrator Mendez talked extensively in regards to FHWA’s moving forward on a National Freight Policy by creating a National Freight Advisory Council with the goal of establishing a National Freight Network.  He also generally discussed FHWA moving forward on increasing project delivery.  Administrator Rogoff warned of fewer FTA new starts/small starts commencing as a result of sequestration.  Much of the discussion was about funding. Several members of the Committee expressed their concern with the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund.  When asked by Chairman Petri if the Administration had ideas on how to address the issues, Administrator Rogoff cited President Obama’s proposal to use savings from the drawdown in Iraq and Afghanistan, while Administrator Mendez encouraged greater participation from the private sector and cited the success of the TIFIA loan program. AGC will be closely following the implementation of MAP-21 to ensure the expected reforms are carried out as intended. If you have any questions, please contact Sean O’Neill at oneills@agc.org or (202) 547-8892.