Federal Highway Administration August 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act builds on the authorities and requirements in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). The FAST Act also builds on efforts under FHWA's Every Day Counts to accelerate delivery of surface transportation projects by institutionalizing best practices and expediting complex infrastructure projects. The Secretary, in cooperation with the States, must submit recommendations to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate recommendations on legislation to permit the assumption of additional authorities by States. The FAST Act specifically asks for recommendations in the areas of real estate acquisition and project design. In order to implement section 1316 of the FAST Act, FHWA is soliciting feedback from States and other stakeholders on additional authorities to assume under title 23, including real estate acquisition and project design. The FHWA will collect suggestions during a 60-day period. At the end of that period, FHWA will assess suggestions prior to providing a Report to Congress.

This notice announces actions taken by the FHWA and other Federal agencies that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to a proposed highway project, I-55 from I-355 to I-90/94 in Will, DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

FHWA announces the establishment of the Emergency Route Working Group (ERWG) for a 2-year period. The ERWG will provide the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, through the Administrator of the FHWA, with advice and recommendations for the implementation of best practices for expeditious State approval of special permits for vehicles involved in emergency response and recovery. The ERWG will provide the U.S. Secretary of Transportation a written report by December 4, 2016, on its findings and recommendation for the implementation of best practices for expeditious State approval of special permits for vehicles involved in emergency response and recovery. The ERWG's advice and recommendations will work within existing legal authorities and not require changes in State or Federal law for DOT to implement.

FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for proposed transportation improvements in Cache County, Utah.

The Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program (23 U.S.C. 327) allows a State to assume FHWA's environmental responsibilities for review, consultation, and compliance for Federal-aid highway projects. When a State assumes these Federal responsibilities, the State becomes solely responsible and liable for carrying out the responsibilities it has assumed, in lieu of FHWA. Prior to the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015, the program required semiannual audits during each of the first 2 years of State participation to ensure compliance by each State participating in the program. This notice presents the findings of the second audit report for the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) participation in accordance to these pre-FAST Act requirements.

This notice provides information regarding FHWA's finding that a Buy America waiver is appropriate for the obligation of Federal-aid funds for 49 State projects involving the acquisition of vehicles and equipment on the condition that they be assembled in the U.S.