Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act-Productive and Timely Expenditure of Funds, 59717-59718 [2016-20814]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 168 / Tuesday, August 30, 2016 / Notices commenter’s specific goals for proposed assumption of additional authorities, changes to legislation, non-legislative actions FHWA might take to achieve those goals, the benefits and costs associated with the proposed assumption of authority, whether the proposal affects only FHWA or may have impacts on the responsibilities of other Federal agencies, the rationale and evidence to support the recommendation, and the roles of other stakeholders. Legislative recommendations and specific, actionable proposals for the revision of existing regulations, policies, guidance, and/or administrative practices are most useful. As a result, commenters are encouraged to focus on matters within the control of FHWA and Congress. Issued on: August 22, 2016. Gregory G. Nadeau, Administrator, Federal Highway Administration. [FR Doc. 2016–20818 Filed 8–29–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration [FHWA Docket No. FHWA–2016–0020] Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act—Productive and Timely Expenditure of Funds Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: By this notice, FHWA announces a new Web site providing information and guidance on the use of programmatic approaches to project delivery in accordance with section 1421 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (‘‘Productive and Timely Expenditure of Funds’’). The FHWA requests comments on what procedures, techniques, programmatic approaches, or best practices should be considered for inclusion on the Web site. In addition, FHWA is requesting comment on any information resources that are readily available regarding practices and procedures that avoid unnecessary delays, minimize cost overruns, and ensure the effective use of Federal funds. DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 31, 2016. Late comments will be considered to the extent practicable. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: You may submit comments identified by the docket number ADDRESSES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:04 Aug 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 FHWA–2016–0020 by any one of the following methods: Fax: 1–202–493–2251; Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590; Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays; or electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name, docket name and docket number for this notice (FHWA–2016–0020). The DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL– 14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to https:// www.regulations.gov at any time or to U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20950, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gerald Yakowenko, FHWA Office of Program Administration, 202–366–1562, or via email at gerald.yakowenko@ dot.gov. For legal questions, please contact Ms. Jennifer Mayo, FHWA Office of the Chief Counsel, 202–366– 1523, or via email at jennifer.mayo@ dot.gov. Office hours for the FHWA are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Electronic Access An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded from the Federal Register’s home page at: https:// www.archives.gov and the Government Printing Office’s database at: https:// www.access.gpo.gov/nara. Background On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed into law the FAST Act. The FAST Act authorizes $305 billion over fiscal years 2016 through 2020 for DOT’s highway, highway and motor PO 00000 Frm 00121 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 59717 vehicle safety, public transportation, motor carrier safety, hazardous materials safety, rail, and research, technology and statistics programs. Section 1421 of the FAST Act, ‘‘Productive and Timely Expenditure of Funds,’’ states that the Secretary shall develop guidance that encourages the use of programmatic approaches to project delivery, expedited and prudent procurement techniques, and other best practices to facilitate productive, effective, and timely expenditure of funds for projects eligible for funding under title 23, United States Code. The Secretary is directed to work with States to ensure that any guidance developed under section 1421(a) is consistently implemented by States and the Federal Highway Administration to avoid unnecessary delays in completing projects; minimize cost overruns; and ensure the effective use of Federal funding. For the purposes of section 1421, FHWA interprets the term ‘‘programmatic approach’’ to mean a method, procedure, tool, or technique that promotes increased efficiency by taking advantage of economy of scale (e.g., a construction contract that provides for the replacement of bridges at multiple locations in lieu-of separate contracts for each bridge). The term ‘‘programmatic agreement’’ means an agreement that sets procedures for consultation, review, and compliance with Federal laws. Programmatic agreements allow repetitive actions to be handled on a program basis rather than on a project-by-project basis (e.g., an agreement between a State department of transportation and an FHWA Division Office concerning the roles and responsibilities associated with review and approval of changes in Interstate-System Access). Programmatic approaches may include programmatic agreements. The FHWA invites public comment on the following: 1. As it relates to section 1421, what procedures, techniques, programmatic approaches, or best practices should be considered for inclusion on the Web site? 2. What information resources are readily available that will provide documentation regarding procedures that avoid unnecessary delays, minimize cost overruns, and ensure the effective use of funds? An example list of resources is available at the following Web site: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/construction/ contracts/section1421.cfm. The FHWA will consider posting information regarding the recommended procedures, techniques, programmatic approaches, E:\FR\FM\30AUN1.SGM 30AUN1 59718 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 168 / Tuesday, August 30, 2016 / Notices and best practices collected through this public notice and comment process. Issued on: August 22, 2016. Gregory G. Nadeau, Administrator, Federal Highway Administration. [FR Doc. 2016–20814 Filed 8–29–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [Docket No. FMCSA–2016–0219] Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Diabetes Mellitus Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). ACTION: Notice of applications for exemptions; request for comments. AGENCY: FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 37 individuals for exemption from the prohibition against persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals with ITDM to operate CMVs in interstate commerce. SUMMARY: Comments must be received on or before September 29, 2016. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments bearing the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA– 2016–0219 using any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. • Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. • Fax: 1–202–493–2251. Instructions: Each submission must include the Agency name and the docket numbers for this notice. Note that all comments received will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading below for further information. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES DATES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:04 Aug 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 comments, go to https:// www.regulations.gov at any time or Room W12–140 on the ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. If you want acknowledgment that we received your comments, please include a selfaddressed, stamped envelope or postcard or print the acknowledgement page that appears after submitting comments on-line. Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christine A. Hydock, Chief, Medical Programs Division, (202) 366–4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W64– 113, Washington, DC 20590–0001. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, FMCSA may grant an exemption from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for a 2-year period if it finds ‘‘such exemption would likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.’’ The statute also allows the Agency to renew exemptions at the end of the 2-year period. The 37 individuals listed in this notice have recently requested such an exemption from the diabetes prohibition in 49 CFR 391.41(b) (3), which applies to drivers of CMVs in interstate commerce. Accordingly, the Agency will evaluate the qualifications of each applicant to determine whether granting the exemption will achieve the required level of safety mandated by statute. II. Qualifications of Applicants Scott G. Barr Mr. Barr, 47, has had ITDM since 2014. His endocrinologist examined him in 2016 and certified that he has had no severe hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or PO 00000 Frm 00122 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Barr understands diabetes management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Barr meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds an operator’s license from Florida. John L. Bauers Mr. Bauers, 56, has had ITDM since 2001. His endocrinologist examined him in 2016 and certified that he has had no severe hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Bauers understands diabetes management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Bauers meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His ophthalmologist examined him in 2016 and certified that he has stable nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class A CDL from Nebraska. Robert J. Borgese Mr. Borgese, 68, has had ITDM since 2014. His endocrinologist examined him in 2016 and certified that he has had no severe hypoglycemic reactions resulting in loss of consciousness, requiring the assistance of another person, or resulting in impaired cognitive function that occurred without warning in the past 12 months and no recurrent (2 or more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 5 years. His endocrinologist certifies that Mr. Borgese understands diabetes management and monitoring, has stable control of his diabetes using insulin, and is able to drive a CMV safely. Mr. Borgese meets the requirements of the vision standard at 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined him in 2016 and certified that he does not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds a Class B CDL from New Jersey. Rodger L. Bratton Mr. Bratton, 68, has had ITDM since 2015. His endocrinologist examined him in 2016 and certified that he has had no severe hypoglycemic reactions resulting E:\FR\FM\30AUN1.SGM 30AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 30, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59717-59718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20814]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

[FHWA Docket No. FHWA-2016-0020]


Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act--Productive and 
Timely Expenditure of Funds

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: By this notice, FHWA announces a new Web site providing 
information and guidance on the use of programmatic approaches to 
project delivery in accordance with section 1421 of the Fixing 
America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (``Productive and Timely 
Expenditure of Funds''). The FHWA requests comments on what procedures, 
techniques, programmatic approaches, or best practices should be 
considered for inclusion on the Web site. In addition, FHWA is 
requesting comment on any information resources that are readily 
available regarding practices and procedures that avoid unnecessary 
delays, minimize cost overruns, and ensure the effective use of Federal 
funds.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 31, 2016. Late 
comments will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the docket number 
FHWA-2016-0020 by any one of the following methods:
    Fax: 1-202-493-2251;
    Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590;
    Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays; or electronically through the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
online instructions for submitting comments.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name, docket 
name and docket number for this notice (FHWA-2016-0020). The DOT posts 
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov at any time or to 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20950, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gerald Yakowenko, FHWA Office of 
Program Administration, 202-366-1562, or via email at 
gerald.yakowenko@dot.gov. For legal questions, please contact Ms. 
Jennifer Mayo, FHWA Office of the Chief Counsel, 202-366-1523, or via 
email at jennifer.mayo@dot.gov. Office hours for the FHWA are from 8 
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded from the 
Federal Register's home page at: https://www.archives.gov and the 
Government Printing Office's database at: https://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.

Background

    On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed into law the FAST Act. 
The FAST Act authorizes $305 billion over fiscal years 2016 through 
2020 for DOT's highway, highway and motor vehicle safety, public 
transportation, motor carrier safety, hazardous materials safety, rail, 
and research, technology and statistics programs.
    Section 1421 of the FAST Act, ``Productive and Timely Expenditure 
of Funds,'' states that the Secretary shall develop guidance that 
encourages the use of programmatic approaches to project delivery, 
expedited and prudent procurement techniques, and other best practices 
to facilitate productive, effective, and timely expenditure of funds 
for projects eligible for funding under title 23, United States Code. 
The Secretary is directed to work with States to ensure that any 
guidance developed under section 1421(a) is consistently implemented by 
States and the Federal Highway Administration to avoid unnecessary 
delays in completing projects; minimize cost overruns; and ensure the 
effective use of Federal funding.
    For the purposes of section 1421, FHWA interprets the term 
``programmatic approach'' to mean a method, procedure, tool, or 
technique that promotes increased efficiency by taking advantage of 
economy of scale (e.g., a construction contract that provides for the 
replacement of bridges at multiple locations in lieu-of separate 
contracts for each bridge). The term ``programmatic agreement'' means 
an agreement that sets procedures for consultation, review, and 
compliance with Federal laws. Programmatic agreements allow repetitive 
actions to be handled on a program basis rather than on a project-by-
project basis (e.g., an agreement between a State department of 
transportation and an FHWA Division Office concerning the roles and 
responsibilities associated with review and approval of changes in 
Interstate-System Access). Programmatic approaches may include 
programmatic agreements.
    The FHWA invites public comment on the following:
    1. As it relates to section 1421, what procedures, techniques, 
programmatic approaches, or best practices should be considered for 
inclusion on the Web site?
    2. What information resources are readily available that will 
provide documentation regarding procedures that avoid unnecessary 
delays, minimize cost overruns, and ensure the effective use of funds?
    An example list of resources is available at the following Web 
site: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/construction/contracts/section1421.cfm. 
The FHWA will consider posting information regarding the recommended 
procedures, techniques, programmatic approaches,

[[Page 59718]]

and best practices collected through this public notice and comment 
process.

    Issued on: August 22, 2016.
Gregory G. Nadeau,
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 2016-20814 Filed 8-29-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-22-P

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