The federal transportation reauthorization bill coming up for consideration on the floor of the Senate is not very good for public transit, complete streets and other measures to promote community sustainability. But it's a model of bi-partisanship and reasonableness compared to the House bill.
The bill is titled "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century" or MAP-21 for short. it reauthorizes the Federal-aid highway program at the Congressional Budget Office’s baseline level—equal to current funding levels plus inflation—for two fiscal years.
MAP-21 consolidates the number of Federal programs by two-thirds, from about 90 programs down to less than 30, to focus resources on key national goals and reduce duplicative programs. It also does the following:
• Eliminates earmarks.
• Expedites project delivery while protecting the environment.
• Creates a new title called “America Fast Forward,” which strengthens the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program (TIFIA) program to leverage federal dollars further than they have been stretched before.
• Consolidates certain programs into a focused freight program to improve the movement of goods.
Authorizations and Programs
MAP-21 continues to provide the majority of Federal-aid highway funds to the states through core programs. However, the core highway programs have been reduced from seven to five, as follows:
• National Highway Performance Program [New core program] – This section consolidates existing programs (the Interstate Maintenance, National Highway System, and Highway Bridge programs) to create a single new program, which will provide increased flexibility, while guiding state and local investments to maintain and improve the conditions and performance of the National Highway System (NHS). This program will eliminate the barriers between existing programs that limit states’ flexibility to address the most vital needs for highways and bridges and holds states accountable for improving outcomes and using tax dollars efficiently.
• Transportation Mobility Program [New core program] – This program replaces the current Surface Transportation Program, but retains the same structure, goals and flexibility to allow states and metropolitan areas to invest in the projects that fit their unique needs and priorities. It also gives a broad eligibility of surface transportation projects that can be constructed. Activities that previously received dedicated funding in SAFETEA-LU, but are being consolidated under MAP-21, will be retained as eligible activities under the Transportation Mobility Program.
• National Freight Network Program [New core program] – Our nation’s economic health depends on a transportation system that provides for reliable and timely goods movements.
Unfortunately, the condition and capacity of the highway system has failed to keep up with the growth in freight movement and is hampering the ability of businesses to efficiently transport goods due to congestion. MAP-21 addresses the need to improve goods movement by consolidating existing programs into a new focused freight program that provides funds to the states by formula for projects to improve regional and national freight movements on highways, including freight intermodal connectors.
• Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program [Existing core program] The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program provides funds to states for transportation projects designed to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.
MAP-21 improves the existing CMAQ program by including particulate matter as one of the pollutants addressed, and by requiring a performance plan in large metropolitan areas to ensure that CMAQ funds are being used to improve air quality and congestion in those regions.
Reforms the Transportation Enhancements program with more flexibility granted to the states on the use of the funds within the program.
• Highway Safety Improvement Program [Existing core program] – MAP-21 builds on the successful Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). MAP-21 substantially increases the amount of funding for this program because of the strong results it has achieved in reducing fatalities. Under HSIP, states must develop and implement a safety plan that identifies highway safety programs and a strategy to address them.
• Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program (TIFIA) – The TIFIA program provides direct loans, loan guarantees, and lines of credit to surface transportation projects at favorable terms. TIFIA will leverage private and other non-federal investment in transportation improvements.
Included in the “America Fast Forward” title of MAP-21 will be provisions that build upon the success of the TIFIA program. MAP-21 modifies the TIFIA program by increasing funding for the program to $1 billion per year, by increasing the maximum share of project costs from 33 percent to 49 percent, by allowing TIFIA to be used to support a related set of projects, and by setting aside funding for projects in rural areas at more favorable terms.3
• Projects of National and Regional Significance Program –This bill authorizes a program to fund major projects of national and regional significance which meet rigorous criteria and eligibility requirements. This program authorizes for appropriation $1 billion in Fiscal Year 2013.
• Federal Lands and Tribal Transportation Highways Programs – MAP-21 consolidates the existing program structure by creating a new Federal lands and tribal transportation program. The bill maintains funding for maintenance and construction of roads and bridges that are vital to the federal lands of this country.
• Territorial and Puerto Rico Highways Program –This program provides funds to the U.S. territories and Puerto Rico to construct and maintain highway, bridge, and tunnel projects.
