An Act to authorize appropriations for the construction of certain highways in accordance with title 23 of the United States Code, and for other purposes.

Summary

Federal-Aid Highway Act - Provides authorizations for the Interstate highway program through fiscal year 1980 in the amounts of $3,250,000,000 for each fiscal year from 1974 through 1979 and $257,000,000 for fiscal year 1980. Extends the time for completion of the Interstate System until June 30, 1980. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to submit to Congress a revised Interstate System cost estimate in January of 1974, January of 1976 and January of 1978 for apportionment of Interstate funds for fiscal years 1976 and 1977, 1978 and 1979, and 1980, respectively. Authorizes annual appropriations for fiscal years 1974 and 1975 of: (1) $650,000,000 for the Federal-aid primary system in rural areas, and $350,000,000 for the Federal-aid secondary system in rural areas; (2) $650,000,000 for the Federal-aid urban system, and $350,000,000 for the extension of the Federal-aid primary and secondary systems in urban areas; (3) $33,000,000 for forest highways; (4) $16,000,000 for public lands highways; (5) $75,000,000 for forest development roads and trails; (6) $10,000,000 for public lands development roads and trails; (7) $30,000,000 for park roads and trails; (8) $75,000,000 for Indian reservation roads and bridges; (9) $15,000,000 for landscaping and scenic enhancement; (10) $1,500,000 for specified administrative expenses; (11) $5,000,000 for highway development programs for the Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa. Authorizes appropriations of $75,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, and $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, for parkways. Declares it to be in the national interest and the intent of Congress that the Secretary should administer the Federal-aid highway program in such a manner as to give the highest priority in all instances to highway safety and to the saving of human lives. Provides that, upon the joint request of a State Governor and the local governments concerned, the Secretary may withdraw his approval of any route or portion thereof on the Interstate System within that State if he determines that such route or portion thereof is not essential to completion of a unified and connected Interstate System (including urban routes necessary for metropolitan transportation). States that after the Secretary has withdrawn his approval of any such route or portion thereof the mileage of such route or portion thereof and the additional mileage authorized by the first sentence of this paragraph shall be available for the designation of such interstate route or portions thereof within that State necessary to provide the essential connection of the Interstate System in such State in lieu of the route or portions thereof which were withdrawn. Requires the States to notify the Secretary by July 1, 1973, of their intent to build any remaining Interstate segments. Provides, otherwise, that such segments shall be removed from Interstate designation and by July 1, 1974, States shall be required to submit a schedule for completing the system to maintain its designation as part of the Interstate System. Provides for a reduction by ten percent in the funds apportioned under such Act to a State until such time as the State shall provide for effective control of outdoor advertising signs, displays and devices along the Interstate System. States that just compensation shall be paid upon the removal under any law of any outdoor advertising sign, display or device lawfully erected under State law prior to the date of enactment of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated not to exceed $50,000,000 from the Highway Trust Fund for each of the 1974 and 1975 fiscal years for purposes of outdoor advertising control. Provides that urban system funds shall be allocated to any urbanized area within the State on the basis of population, and shall be available for expenditure in another urbanized area within such State only where the responsible public officials in both such urbanized areas agree to such a transfer. Provides that where the units of general purpose local government in any urbanized area shall combine together under State law to create a metropolitan transportation agency, or where the State shall create a metropolitan transportation agency with sufficient authority to develop and implement a plan for expenditure of funds allocated to such urbanized area, funds allocated for such purpose shall be available to such metropolitan transportation agency for projects on the urban system. Authorizes appropriations of $15,000,000 annually for fiscal years 1974 and 1975 for the purpose of the control of junkyards in areas adjacent to Federal-aid highways. States that to encourage the development, improvement, and use of public mass transportation systems operating vehicles on highways, other than on rails, for the transportation of passengers within urban areas sums apportioned under this Act shall be available to finance the Federal share of the costs of projects within urban areas for the construction of exclusive or preferential bus lanes, highway traffic control devices, passenger loading areas and facilities, including shelters, fringe and transportation corridor parking facilities to serve bus and other public mass transportation passengers, and for the purchase of passenger equipment other than rolling stock for fixed rail. Provides that sums apportioned for the Federal-aid highway systems may be made available for the development and improvement of bicycle transportation, equestrian trails and pedestrain walkways located on or in conjunction with highway rights-of-way. Authorizes the Secretary to reimburse States, after thay have received their final apportionment on the Interstate System, for the Federal share of the actual construction cost for new toll roads and improvements to existing toll roads. Authorizes $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1974 and 1975 for the construction of special highways connected to the Interstate System in portions of urbanized areas with high traffic density. Provides that the Federal share for any project under this section shall not exceed ninety percent of the cost of construction. Provides that any State may submit to the Secretary for his approval and certification a comprehensive procedure for the construction of Federal-aid highway projects, setting forth the process by which such State proposes to carry out its Federal-aid highway construction responsibilities. Requires the State procedure to set forth the process by which goals, objectives, and priorities for carrying out its Federal-aid program shall be established and shall take into account and be in accord with the requirements of this title and other provisions of Federal law. Provides that the Secretary shall approve the request of any State for certification unless he finds that State laws, guidelines, regulations, and directives will not result in the accomplishment of the social, environmental, and economic objectives of all applicable Federal laws and requirements. Authorizes construction projects and funds for: (1) Highland Scenic Highway, West Virginia; (2) Alaska Highway; and (3) specified bridges or Federal dams. Authorizes feasibility studies for proposed highways to be included in the Interstate System, and terminates the Federal-aid relationship to the San Antonio North Expressway in Bexar County, Texas. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to make payments, not to exceed $65,000,000, to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in order to make the Metro subway and system accessible to the handicapped. Provides for a study of toll bridges over the navigable waters of the United States to determine what action is necessary to assure just and reasonable tolls. Authorizes a study to determine the feasibility of establishing a national system of scenic highways to link together recreational, historical, and scientific areas of scenic interest and importance. Authorizes appropriations of $30,000,000 for demonstration projects for public mass transportation on highways in rural areas in order to enhance access of rural populations to employment, health care, retail centers, education and public services.

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3 official files

• Public Law (PDF)

  Public Law · EN · 14 August 1973

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• Public Law

  summary · EN · 13 August 1973

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• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 23 January 1973

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