Federal Highway Administration August 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Condition Evaluation of Bridges, 1994, second edition (also referred to as ``the Manual''), together with the 2001 and 2003 Interim Revisions, is incorporated by reference in 23 CFR part 650, subpart E, approved by the Federal Highway Administration, and recognized as a national standard for bridge inspections and load rating. The purpose of this notice is to update the incorporation by reference language to incorporate the most recent version of the AASHTO Manual, now known as The Manual for Bridge Evaluation, First Edition, 2008.

This document issues the revised FHWA policy statement regarding requests for new or modified access points to the Interstate System. The policy includes the requirements for the justification and documentation necessary to substantiate any request that is submitted to FHWA for approval.

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) will be prepared for the proposed highway improvement project: US Route 219 Springville to Salamanca, NY Route 39 to NY Route 17 (I-86), Erie & Cattaraugus Counties, New York. A Reevaluation of the 2003 FEIS was completed in May 2009; NYSDOT and FHWA concluded that a SEIS for the un-built portion of the project was required due to (i) significant increase in the area of identified wetlands in the project corridor, and (ii) observed changes in traffic growth rates for some segments of existing Route 219 that may influence the safety and operational characteristics of the previously identified alternatives. These issues will be evaluated and presented through the development of the SEIS. FHWA intends to utilize the environmental review provisions afforded under Section 6002 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) in the development of the SEIS.

This notice invites States, along with their local government partners and other public authorities, to apply to participate in the Value Pricing Pilot (VPP) program and presents guidelines for program applications for fiscal years 2009 and 2010. Unlike with previous notices, the purpose of this notice is to seek only applications for statewide, regionwide, or areawide transportation pricing studies and for transportation pricing implementation projects that do not entail tolling roadways. This notice seeks applications for fiscal year 2009 funding, and if Congress chooses to extend Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) VPP program funding, for such funds made available in fiscal year 2010.