Surface Transportation Amendments of 1984

Summary

Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1984 - Title I: Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1984 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to apportion: (1) one-half of the sums authorized to be appropriated in accordance with the Interstate cost estimate for FY 1985; and (2) one-half of the sums authorized to be appropriated in accordance with the Interstate substitute cost estimate for FY 1984. Approves the Interstate cost estimate for FY 1986 and the Interstate substitute cost estimate for FY 1985. Revises the procedures for releasing Interstate substitute funds. Amends the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 by revising the FY 1985 obligation ceiling for Federal-aid highway safety construction programs based upon shortfalls experienced in the FY 1984 ceiling. Includes the installation of emergency motorist-aid call boxes as a highway safety improvement project. Makes the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands eligible for emergency relief funding. Exempts tank trucks and ocean transport containers from vehicle weight and length limitations until September 1, 1988. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund for FY 1985 and 1986 for highway beautification. Changes the priority primary projects for designations which are available for Federal matching funds. Increases the amounts available for FY 1985 and 1986 for the discretionary bridge program. Directs the Secretary to complete a gap on the Federal-aid primary system in an urban area in Passaic County, New Jersey, utilizing procedures to accelerate design and construction. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress, not later than 180 days after the completion of such project, on its results, including specified analyses. Directs the Secretary to carry out the following demonstration projects: (1) in Brick Township, New Jersey, to demonstrate methods of improving traffic operations and reducing accidents at a high-volume rotary intersection; (2) in the vicinity of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to demonstrate methods by which a highway construction project on the Federal-aid primary system will enhance highway safety and economic development in an area of high unemployment; (3) in the vicinity of Fort Smith, Arkansas, to demonstrate the economic growth and development benefits of widening a segment of the Federal-aid urban system connecting a community college and a large commercial center, and of improving traffic signalization on such segment; (4) in the vicinity of Moorhead, Minnesota, to demonstrate the economic and safety benefits of constructing a grade separation between a railroad line and a highway on the Federal-aid urban system; (5) in the vicinities of Fosston and Bagley, Minnesota, to demonstrate the economic and safety benefits of reconstructing two segments of a major highway on the Federal-aid primary system; (6) in Kentucky, to demonstrate methods of improving traffic flow and safety on a State highway which connects an Interstate route in the vicinity of the City of Dry Ridge with a highway on the Federal-aid primary system in the vicinity of the City of Owentown; (7) in San Bernardino County, California, in the vicinity of the Ontario International Airport, to demonstrate methods of improving highway access to an airport which is projected to incur a substantial increase in air service; (8) in Pennsylvania, to demonstrate the state of the art delineation technology by closing a gap in a multi-lane limited access road connecting the City of Altoona to the Borough of Tyrone in Blair County; (9) in Lafayette, Louisiana, to demonstrate the benefits on traffic flow and transportation of labor and materials by construction of a highway to provide limited continuous access between an Interstate route and a highway on the Federal-aid primary system; (10) in Shreveport, Louisiana, to demonstrate methods of reducing traffic congestion in the central business district, improving access to such district, providing highway continuity, and satisfying national defense requirements by connecting two Interstate routes; (11) in Miami, Florida, to demonstrate the most cost-effective method of improving interstate motor vehicle access for passengers and cargo moving to and from the port of Miami; (12) in Arkansas and Missouri, to demonstrate methods of improving highway safety and of accelerating highway construction on specified segments on the Federal-aid primary system; (13) in the vicinity of Sanford, Florida, to demonstrate methods of reducing costs and expediting construction of an interchange by contracting with a private consultant to design and construct such project; (14) in the vicinity of San Jose and Santa Clara, California, to demonstrate a unified method of reducing traffic congestion where a Federal-aid urban highway intersects with two other of such highways on a railroad crossing; (15) in the vicinity of the C&O Canal in the District of Columbia, to improve motor vehicle access at a major traffic generator without decreasing the efficiency of a Federal-aid primary highway; (16) in the vicinity of Pardee, West Virginia, to demonstrate the improvement in motor vehicle transportation of energy resources resulting from the completion of a consolidated network of modern highways; (17) in Modesto, California, to demonstrate methods by which construction of a grade separation for a railroad crossing of a primary highway enhances urban redevelopment and the effectiveness of a planned transportation center; (18) in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to demonstrate the benefits of cooperation between the private sector and the government in relieving traffic congestion caused by a railroad crossing a Federal-aid highway through construction of a highway overpass; (19) in East Milton, Massachusetts, to demonstrate the advantages of joint development and use of air rights in the construction of a deck over a depressed portion of an Interstate route; (20) in Alabama, to demonstrate methods of accelerating the widening of a high volume segment of a primary highway necessary for rapid evacuation of individuals during emergency weather conditions; (21) in the vicinity of Wilder, Kentucky, to demonstrate the economic benefits to a port facility, industrial complex, and foreign trade zone by reconstruction of a segment of an urban highway which connects an Interstate route with a port facility; (22) in Illinois, to demonstrate the safety benefits of providing additional and improved vehicular passing opportunities on, adding truck climbing lanes to, and straightening a segment of a primary highway which carries a high volume of traffic in Jo Daviess and Stephenson Counties; (23) in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to demonstrate methods of accelerating construction to eliminate a major rail-highway crossing at grade, reducing traffic delays for rail and vehicular traffic, and minimizing the impact on the surrounding urban environment; (24) in the vicinities of Pontiac and East Lansing, Michigan, to demonstrate methods of enhancing safety and promoting economic development through construction of grade separations and road widenings on a primary and urban highway; (25) in Riverside, California, to demonstrate methods of improving safety on a specified highway; (26) in Osceolo County, Michigan, to demonstrate methods of improving highway safety and traffic flow by widening and upgrading a priority primary route; (27) in Buffalo, New York, to demonstrate methods of facilitating redevelopment of a waterfront area by construction of a connector off a primary highway; and (28) in Cleveland, Ohio, to demonstrate how cost-effective investment in the transportation infrastructure needs of a neighborhood can help revitalize that neighborhood. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the results of such projects. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund, other than the Mass Transit Account, to carry out such demonstration projects. Makes a specified project on the Interstate System in Massachusetts eligible for Interstate construction funds. Declares that lands donated to California necessary for the construction of a specified State highway shall be credited toward the non-Federal share of such project, and that any excess amounts shall be credited to the non-Federal share of other specified projects in such State. Allows Arkansas to use apportioned funds for the planning, design, and construction of a specified highway. Exempts a specified business establishment in Michigan from the right-of-way restrictions prohibiting such establishments on rights-of-way on the Interstate System. Declares the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike free of restrictions on the imposition of tolls upon the repayment by the Commonwealth of Virginia of certain Federal-aid highway funds relating to such Turnpike. Declares that no report, list, schedule, or survey compiled by a State concerning the evaluation of hazardous roadway conditions or rail-highway crossings in order to plan and prioritize safety projects shall be required to be admitted into evidence or used for any other purposes in a Federal or State court. Directs the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive study and investigation of national railroad-highway crossing improvement and maintenance needs. Requires a report to Congress, not later than 30 months after enactment of this Act, on the results of such study, including recommendations. Permits Federal payments for interest on bonds issued in connection with any Interstate construction project. (Currently, such projects must be under construction on January 1, 1983.) Revises the apportionment formula for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing the Interstate System, which is currently based on vehicle miles traveled, to include gasoline and diesel consumption. Directs the Secretary to carry out the following highway construction projects in Connecticut: (1) in the vicinities of Southington and Enfield, to demonstrate the lastest construction techniques in reconstructing a segment of urban highway; and (2) in the vicinity of Kent Center, to demonstrate methods of solving safety and flooding problems on a primary highway. Requires a report to Congress on the results of such projects. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY 1985 to carry out such projects. Makes a specified amount of Interstate reconstruction funds available in FY 1985 through 1987 for a specified elevated highway in Chicago, Illinois. Requires the Secretary to use discretionary funds to carry out a highway substitute project in the vicinity of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study to determine: (1) the cost-effectiveness of carrying out a project to upgrade a specified route in Pennsylvania to Interstate standards; (2) the feasibility of partially financing such project with toll revenues, using reclaimed strip mining lands for right-of-way, and avoiding encroachment on environmental areas; and (3) the alignment of such project. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY 1985 to carry out such study. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a feasibility study on work which can be undertaken to improve the safety, capacity, and operational characteristics of a specified bridge connecting the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columiba. Requires a report to Congress within 90 days after enactment of this Act on the results of such study. Provides for the funding of certain highway projects with Interstate discretionary funds. Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant to the California Transportation Commission to conduct a study to determine the feasibility and applicability of using a highway electrification system as a source of energy for highway vehicles. Requires the Commission to report to the Secretary on the results of such study within three years after completion of the test facility to be constructed with such grant. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY 1985 and 1986 for such grant. Directs the Secretary to make grants to States in which railroad-highway crossings owned by the Consolidated Rail Corporation are located for such States to carry out demonstration programs for the systematic inspection and service of protective devices at such crossings. Requires each State conducting such a program to report to the Secretary not later than December 30, 1986, on the results and effectiveness of such programs. Authorizes appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for FY 1985 and 1986 for such grants. Provides that costs to construct high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in Los Angeles County, California, shall remain eligible for Interstate construction funds and requires that the costs to complete such lanes be included in future Interstate cost estimates. Authorizes the Secretary to approve a substitute transit project for construction of a fixed guideway system on or adjacent to such HOV lanes. Provides that if the Secretary approves such substitute project, then the costs of constructing the lanes shall not be eligible for funds under the Interstate cost estimate. Declares that the substitute project must be under contract for construction by September 30, 1988, or the Secretary shall withdraw approval. Changes Buy American provisions to increase the domestic content requirements for certain manufacturers of buses and other rolling stock from 50 percent to 85 percent. Title II: Federal Mass Transportation Act of 1984 - Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to replace the letters of intent procedure with provisions which authorize the Secretary to enter into multi-year contracts for the construction of mass transportation facilities. Sets forth the circumstances under which the Secretary is authorized to approve advance construction for certain mass transportation projects. Prohibits the issuance of funds for new fixed guideway systems or extensions unless such projects are determined to be: (1) based on the results of alternatives analyses and preliminary engineering; (2) cost-effective; and (3) supported by local financial commitment. Increases authorized appropriations out of the Highway Trust Fund, including the Mass Transit Account of such Fund, for FY 1985 through 1986 for grants for research and training in urban transportation problems. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987. Directs the Secretary to make such grants to nonprofit institutions of higher learning to establish and operate one regional transportation center in each of the ten Federal regions. Sets forth criteria to be met by grant recipients. Establishes in the Department of Transportation a national advisory council to: (1) coordinate the research and training to be carried out by grant recipients; (2) disseminate the results of such research; (3) act as a clearinghouse between such centers and the transportation industry; and (4) review and evaluate programs carried out by such centers. Changes from specified amounts to such amounts as may be necessary the appropriations authorized for FY 1985 and 1986 for transportation projects substituted for withdrawn Interstate segments. Permits certain urbanized areas in receipt of sums apportioned for commuter rail or fixed guideway systems to utilize such sums for bus and bus-related facilities, if there are no commuter rail or fixed guideway systems in operation in such an area. Revises operating assistance limitations for new urbanized areas. Extends from 1984 to 1986 the authority for recipients to transfer capital assistance for operating assistance. Limits the use of discretionary amounts resulting from such transfer to the replacement, rehabilitation, and purchase of buses and related equipment and the construction of bus-related facilities. Prohibits certain grant recipients, after FY 1984, from making such transfers except for emergency repairs or pursuant to predated authority. Authorizes appropriations out of the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund for FY 1985 through 1987 for specified activities. Amends the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 to change from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Buffalo, New York, the site of a feasibility study on constructing and operating an electric trolley bus line. Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to permit certain grant recipients to continue the preferential fare collection system for elderly and handicapped persons in lieu of the collection of half-fares for such persons. Makes eligible for construction assistance bus manufacturing projects which extend the life of a bus eight years or more. Directs the Secretary to develop a comprehensive mass transportation plan for the Virgin Islands and to report to Congress on the plan within one year of enactment of this Act. Title III: Uniform Relocation Act Amendments of 1984 - Amends the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 to revise various definitions for purposes of such Act. Permits a Federal agency to discharge its responsibilities by accepting the certification by a State agency that it will implement State law to carry out the Federal relocation assistance program, provided that the lead agency determines that such State law will accomplish the purpose and effect of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970. Directs the head of the lead agency to monitor State agency implementation of such certification. Permits an agency to withdraw acceptance of a certification after providing the State government with notice. Permits a Federal agency to withhold approval of any grant, contract, or cooperative agreement with any displacing agency found to have failed to comply with certification or State law. Requires the payment to displaced persons of actual expenses, not exceeding $10,000, necessary to reestablish a displaced small business, nonprofit organization, or displaced farm at its new site. Removes the limitation on the moving expense allowance and the fixed amount of the dislocation allowance that a person displaced from a dwelling may elect to receive in lieu of itemized expenses. Declares that such allowances shall be determined according to a schedule established by the head of a lead agency. Increases the maximum and decreases the minimum limitations on the payment a person displaced from a business or farm operation may elect to receive in lieu of itemized deductions. Declares that such amount shall be determined according to criteria established by the lead agency. (Currently, such amount is based on the annual earnings of the farm or business.) Increases the maximum amount of assistance that a displacing agency may provide to a displaced homeowner for replacement housing. Requires such assistance to include an amount necessary to: (1) meet the reasonable cost of a suitable replacement dwelling as defined in this Act; and (2) compensate the displaced person for any increased financing costs. Authorizes a displacing agency to extend the one-year period, following payment for an acquired home, during which the displaced person must purchase and occupy a replacement dwelling in order to qualify for housing replacement payments, but limits such payments to the costs of relocating such person within that one-year period. Increases the ceiling (currently $4,000) on the amount of rental housing replacement assistance provided to displaced tenants to $6,000. Permits eligible displaced tenants to apply such rental assistance toward the downpayment on a decent, safe, and sanitary replacement dwelling. Declares that displaced homeowners who meet the residency requirement for rental housing replacement assistance but not for homeowner's housing replacement assistance may qualify for rental assistance, at the discretion of the lead agency. Requires that all relocation assistance advisory programs: (1) provide information on suitable locations for displaced farming operations; and (2) assure that no person is required to move before being given a reasonable choice of suitable replacement dwellings. Provides for the designation of a single, cognizant Federal agency to establish procedures to be used by a non-Federal displacing agency to implement related activities funded by two or more Federal agencies. Authorizes advisory services to certain renters in properties acquired by a displacing agency. Directs the lead agency to require that provisions authorizing a displacing agency to use project funds to provide dwellings for displaced persons, if the project would be delayed because suitable replacement housing is not otherwise available, be used to exceed housing replacement assistance ceilings only on a case-by-case basis and for good cause. Provides that any payment a displaced person receives under State law shall replace a housing replacement or real property acquisition payment for substantially the same purpose under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act. Requires the head of the lead agency to: (1) promulgate rules to carry out such Act; (2) coordinate relocation assistance activities with Federal and federally-financed low-income housing programs; (3) monitor the implementation of such Act; and (4) perform such other duties as necessary. Declares low-income housing assistance as income for Internal Revenue purposes. Requires a State agency to pay the United States all net amounts (currently all amounts) received from the sale of surplus Federal property transferred to the agency for the purpose of providing replacement housing. Repeals the authority of any displacing agency to make loans to various organizations for planning and obtaining federally-insured mortgage financing for housing for displaced persons. Authorizes the lead agency to prescribe a procedure under which Federal agencies may acquire real property without having it appraised. Permits a displaced person to donate the real property being acquired or any of the compensation paid for such property to the acquiring agency. Sets forth the effective dates of specified provisions of this Act.

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4 official files

• Passed Senate amended

  summary · EN · 5 October 1984

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• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 7 June 1984

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• Reported to House with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 15 May 1984

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• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 25 April 1984

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