A bill to authorize appropriations for construction of certain highways in accordance with title 23 of the United States Code.

Summary

Title I: Federal-Aid Highway Act - Provides authorizations for the interstate highway program through fiscal year 1979 in the amount of $3,500,000,000 for each fiscal year from 1974 to 1978, and $2,500,000,000 for fiscal year 1979. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make the apportionment for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1974, and June 30, 1975, of the sums authorized to be appropriated for such years for expenditures on the National System of Interstate Defense Highways. Makes appropriations for specified highway projects under title 23 of the United States Code for fiscal years 1974 and 1975 including the following: (1) the Federal-aid primary system in rural areas; (2) the Federal-aid urban system; (3) forest highways; (4) specified roads and trails; (5) parkways; and (6) Indian reservation roads. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to forward to Congress, within 30 days of the date of enactment of this Act, final recommendations proposed to him by the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration in accordance with this Act. Extends the date of completion of certain highways under title 23 of the United States Code from June 30, 1976, to June 30, 1979. Directs the Secretary and all other heads of Federal agencies involved in the construction of the Federal aid highway system to encourage the minimization of paperwork and unnecessary delays in the administration of the program. Extends from July 1, 1975, to July 1, 1977, the deadline for States to submit plans, specifications, and estimates for the construction of its segment of the Interstate Highway System. Provides that the Secretary shall apportion one-third of the annual appropriations for the Federal-aid highway system to each State in the ratio system to each State in the ratio which the rural population of such State bears to the total rural population of all the States. Stipulates that no State shall receive less than one-half of one percent of each annual apportionment. Provides that an agreement between the Secretary and a State highway department for the reimbursement of the cost of acquiring rights-of way under the Federal-Aid Highway Act shall provide for the actual construction of a road on such rights-of-way within a period not exceeding ten years following the fiscal year in which the request is made. Authorizes the Secretary, after consulting with Federal, State, and local officials, to promulgate standards for the control of highway noise levels for highways on any Federal-aid system, approved prior to July 1, 1972. Authorizes the Secretary to approve any project on a Federal-aid system under these promulgated noise standards, including the acquisition of additional rights-of-way, construction of physical barriers, and landscaping. Allows the project to be deemed a highway project for all purposes of this Act and makes available sums apportioned for the Federal-aid system. Provides that after July 1, 1973, the State highway department shall not erect on any project where actual construction is in progress and visible to highway users any informational signs other than official traffic control devices conforming with standards developed by the Secretary of Transportation. Establishes a procedure whereby the Secretary may discharge any of his responsibilities under this Act relative to Federal-aid systems, except the Interstate System, by accepting a certification by any State highway department that it has meet certain requirements. Provides that when any toll road which the Secretary has approved as a part of the Interstate System is made a toll-free facility, Federal-aid highway funds may be expended for the construction, reconstruction, or improvement of the road to meet the standards adopted for the improvement of projects located on the Interstate System. Establishes standards for the control of outdoor advertising along the Interstate and primary highway systems. Provides that just compensation shall be paid upon the removal of any outdoor advertising sign, display, or device (as required by this Act) lawfully erected under State law. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000,000 for both fiscal year 1974 and 1975 to carry out the provisions of this section. Authorizes the appropriation of $15,000,000 for both 1974 and 1975 for the control of junkyards adjacent to the Interstate and primary highway systems. States that in order to encourage the development, improvement, and use of public mass transportation systems operating motor vehicles (other than on rail) on Federal-aid highways for the transportation of passengers, so as to increase the traffic capacity of the Federal-aid systems for the movement of persons, the Secretary may approve as a project on any Federal-aid system the construction of exclusive or preferential bus lanes, highway traffic control devices, bus passenger loading areas and facilities (including shelters), and fringe and transportation corridor parking facilities to serve bus and other public mass transportation passengers. Provides that whenever responsible local officials of an urbanized area notify the State highway department that in lieu of a highway project under the Federal-aid plan, their needs require a nonhighway public mass transit project (involving fixed-rail facilities or purchase of passenger equipment or both), this project shall be submitted to the Secretary for approval. Deems approval of these plans as a contractual obligation of the United States for payment equal to the Federal share if deemed a highway project. Provides that in any case where sufficient land exists within the publicly acquired rights-of-way of any Federal-aid highway to accommodate needed rail or nonhighway public mass transit programs and where this can be accomplished without impairing automotive safety or future highway improvements, the Administrator may authorize a State to make such lands and rights-of-way available without charge to a publicly owned mass transit authority for such purposes wherever he may deem that the public interest will be served thereby. Directs that the authorization of the appropriations of Federal funds shall in no way infringe on the sovereign rights of the States to determine which projects shall be federally financed. Directs the Secretary of Interior, acting through the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, to carry out projects for the construction of bicycle lanes or paths, bicycle traffic control devices, shelters, and parking facilities. Directs that these projects be located and designed to an overall plan to provide due consideration for safety. Prohibits motorized vehicles on any of these bicycle lanes. Specifies the Federal share of the cost of these projects to be 70 percent. Authorizes appropriations not to exceed $10,000,000 per year for 1974 and 1975. Appropriates out of the Highway Trust Fund, $100,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974, and $100,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, for the construction of highways connected to the Interstate System in portions of urbanized areas with high traffic density. Provides that the Secretary shall develop guidelines and standards for the designation of routes and the allocation of funds for this purpose. States that high traffic sections of highways on the Federal-aid primary system which connect to the Interstate System shall be selected by each State highway department, in consultation with appropriate local officials, subject to approval by the Secretary, for priority of improvement as supplementary routes to extend and supplement the service provided by the Interstate System by furnishing needed adequate traffic collector and distributor facilities as well as extensions. Provides that a total of not more than 10,000 miles shall be selected under this section. Authorizes $300,000,000 to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund for both fiscal years 1974 and 1975 to carry out the purposes of this section. Directs that one-half of such funds be apportioned among the States on the basis of the latest highway needs study, and one-half be available for apportionment to urgently required projects at the discretion of the Secretary. Authorizes the construction of and the appropriation of funds for specified projects including the following: (1) a segment of the Alaska Highway; (2) bridges over the Arkansas and Tennessee rivers; and (3) the Great River Road. Provides for the development of a national scenic and recreational highway program. Authorizes Federal participation beginning with the construction of the Great River Road, in order to celebrate the tricentennial discovery of the Mississippi River. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria (as soon as possible after enactment of this Act) for location and construction of the Great River Road by the ten States bordering the Mississippi River, with priority given in location to the large population centers. Directs that the Federal share of the cost of this highway be 80 percent. Authorizes the appropriation, out of the Highway Trust Fund, for construction of this highway, of $20,000,000 annually each year for 1974 and 1975, for allocation to the States and out of the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $10,000,000 for each of years 1974 and 1975. Directs that all Federal-aid highway funds expended for certain sections of Route 101 in New Hampshire must be repaid before any tolls may be collected thereon. Authorizes the Secretary to make available Federal-aid highway funds to any State which changes any interstate toll bridge to a free bridge on or before January 1, 1974. Directs the Secretary to make a study of regulations governing toll bridges over navigable waters of the United States and a study to determine the feasibility of establishing a national system of scenic highways. States that no court shall have the power or authority to issue any order or to take any action which will impede, delay, or halt construction of the project known as the Three Sisters Bridge. Prohibits further action on Interstate Route I-287 (between Montville and Mahwal, New Jersey), and Corporation Freeway, Winston-Salem, North Carolina) until new corridor hearings are held. Directs the Secretary, in cooperation with the Governor of each State and local officials, to make an evaluation of the 1972 National Transportation Report, pertaining to public mass transportation, which shall include all urban areas. Outlines the essentials of evaluation report, and directs Secretary to give his results to Congress no later than July 1, 1974. Authorizes an amount to exceed $75,000,000 to carry out this section. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make payments to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in sufficient amounts to finance the cost of assisting the handicapped in the subway and rapid rail transit system. Authorizes the amount of $65,000,000 to carry out this provision. Title II: Highway Safety Act - Authorizes the appropriation of specified highway safety programs and highway safety research and development programs under title 23 of the United States Code. Directs that each State conduct a survey of all highways to identify all railroad crossings and at a minimum, implement a schedule of projects to provide signs for all railroad-highway crossings. Authorizes the appropriations of $150,000,000 for fiscal year 1974 and $225,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 for the elimination of hazards of railway-highway crossings. Directs each State to report to the Secretary of Transportation not later than September 30, 1974, and not later than September 30 thereafter on the progress made in implementing the program. Directs the Secretary to submit a report to Congress not later than January 1, 1975 and not later than January 1 annually thereafter on the progress of the program. Authorizes the appropriations of $225,000,000 for fiscal year 1974 and $450,000,000 for fiscal 1975 for bridge reconstruction and replacement. Directs that these funds be apportioned by: (1) two-thirds for projects on any Federal-aid system; and (2) one-third for projects on highways not included on any Federal-aid system. Establishes a special pavement marking program and appropriates $125,000,000 for both fiscal 1974 and 1975, to be apportioned among the States in a prescribed manner. Directs each State to make a report to the Secretary of Transportation not later than September 30, 1974, and not later than September 30 annually thereafter on the program's progress. Directs the Secretary to submit a report to Congress not later than January 1, 1975 and not later than January 1 thereafter on the progress of the program. Directs the Secretary to conduct further research and demonstration programs to improve all techniques used in pavement markings and delineators. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out safety research on the following subjects: (1) the relationship between the consumption and use of drugs and their effect upon highway safety and drivers of motor vehicles; and (2) driver behavior research, including the characteristics of driver performance, the relationships of mental and physical abilities to the driving task, and the relationship of frequency of driver accident involvement to highway safety. States that in order to eliminate or reduce the hazards at specific locations or sections of highways which have high accident experiences or high accident potentials, designated by the Federal Highway Administration, there is authorized to be appropriated for each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 1974, and June 30, 1975, the sum of $100,000,000 to be available until expended, except that two-thirds of all funds authorized and expended under authority of this section in any fiscal year shall be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund. Directs funds to be apportioned and states that the Federal share shall not exceed 90 percent of the cost. Directs each State to make a progress report to the Secretary of Transportation not later than September 30, 1974 and not later than September 30 annually thereafter on the program. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress not later than January 1, 1975, and not later than January 1 thereafter on progress made by States for improvements at high-hazard locations. Directs each State to conduct an engineering survey of all highways to identify roadside obstacles which are hazards to the public. Authorizes appropriations of $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1974 and 1975, with two-thirds of the funds to come out of the Highway Trust Fund. Directs progress reports to be made by the States and the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to conduct a full and complete investigation of the use of mass media and other techniques for informing the public of means and methods for reducing the number and severity of highway accidents. Directs the Secretary to conduct an investigation of ways and means for encouraging greater citizen participation and involvement in the traffic enforcement process. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to make a thorough study of the feasibility of establishing a National Center for Statistical Analysis of Highway Operations designed to acquire, store, and retrieve highway accident data and standardize the information and procedures for reporting accidents on a nationwide basis. Provides that such study should include an estimate of the cost of establishing and maintaining such a center, including the means for acquiring the accident information to be stored therein. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress his findings and recommendations not later than January 1, 1975. Directs the Secretary to make a study of pedestrian safety. Outlines areas for the study including the relationship between alcohol and pedestrian safety. Directs the Secretary to make a report to Congress not later than January 31, 1975. Authorizes an amount not to exceed $5,000,000 from the Highway Trust Fund for this study. Includes manpower training and demonstration programs that the Secretary determines will reduce highway accidents and death within the funding available for the cost of development of roads and trails. Provides that public road mileage under the territorial highway program be determined at the end of the calendar year preceding the year in which the funds are apportioned, and shall be certified by State Governor and subject to approval of the Secretary. Changes the annual apportionment to each State of Federal funds to aid States to conduct highway safety programs from not less than one-third of 1 percent to not less than one-half of 1 percent. Authorizes the Secretary to make incentive grants in each fiscal year to those States attaining above average compliance with highway safety standards. Authorizes appropriation, out of the Highway Trust Fund, not to exceed $10,000,000 per fiscal year of 1974 and 1975 for such purpose. Limits any State from receiving more than $500,000 in any fiscal year. Allows the Secretary to use funds to make grants to the States or local agencies for: (1) training highway safety personnel; (2) research fellowships in highway safety; (3) improved accident investigation procedures; (4) emergency; (5) demonstration projects; and (6) related activities. Directs the Secretary to conduct research and to make grants or contracts with State or local agencies for projects to improve administrative adjudication of traffic infractions. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress by July 1, 1975, and each year thereafter, for these projects. Specifies several demonstration projects, and changes date of annual report to July 1. Title III: Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 - Increases Federal grants under the Act to 80 percent of net project costs for urban transportation systems. Increases appropriations to $6,100,000,000 for other specified programs under the Act. Title IV: Prohibition of Discrimination on the Basis of Sex - Adds the sex discrimination prohibition to the programs carried on under title 23, U.S.Code.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 28 March 1973

   Introduced

   Referred to House Committee on Public Works.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 28 March 1973

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 28 March 1973

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

Votes

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Documents

1 official file

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 28 March 1973

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Wright, James C., Jr. [D-TX-12] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Clausen, Don H. [R-CA-2] · R · Cosponsor
• · hspw00 · Standing

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