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Hearing Highlights Importance of Implementing MAP-21 ReformsA Congressional hearing today focused on ensuring the Administration is implementing reforms to help streamline the surface transportation project approval process, consolidate Department of Transportation programs, improve program accountability, and other improvements included in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). MAP-21, signed into law on July 6, 2012, authorizes the federal highway, transit and highway safety programs through September 30, 2014. “MAP-21 consolidated or eliminated over 70 federal programs that were duplicative,” said Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Chairman Tom Petri (R-WI), who convened today’s hearing. “These changes provide greater focus on the core national systems and give states greater flexibility to meet their transportation needs. “MAP-21 made major reforms and improvements to the project delivery process,” Petri continued. “It currently can take almost 14 years for a transportation project to be completed if federal funding is involved. This is simply unacceptable. MAP-21 reforms will help cut bureaucratic red tape and quickly deliver the economic and safety benefits of transportation projects. “MAP-21 also started the process of holding states and transit agencies accountable for their funding decisions. New performance measures will help States and transit agencies focus their limited federal resources on projects that have the greatest benefits,” Petri said. The Chairman and Subcommittee members highlighted the necessity for continued progress on MAP-21 provisions to ensure projects can move forward more efficiently and that resources are being put to best use. Members directed questions about these and other surface transportation issues to four DOT modal administrators who testified today: Victor M. Mendez, Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration; Peter M. Rogoff, Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration; Anne S. Ferro, Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; and David L. Strickland, Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Oversight of surface transportation law is one of our priorities,” Petri said. “The Subcommittee will continue to closely oversee the Administration as deadlines for implementation of MAP-21 provisions approach.” For more information from today’s hearing, including witness testimony, video of the hearing, and additional background information, click here. # # # |