AASHTO - Freight Transportation Network

Chair -- James Lynch, Montana
Vice Chair -- Jeff Honefanger, Ohio
Secretary -- Jim March, FHWA
Liaison -- Leo Penne, AASHTO

News

FMCSA Extends Deadline for Requiring Hazardous Materials Endorsement to April 1
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have extended the compliance deadline for requiring background checks on commercial drivers certified to transport hazardous items. The FMCSA rule requires that states collect fingerprints from individuals applying for, renewing, upgrading, or transferring a hazmat endorsement for a commercial driver's license. The date for states to begin complying with this rule is now April 1, 2004. The FMCSA rule also says that states may request an extension of that compliance date to not later than Dec.1, 2004. The FMCSA interim final rule is available at Final Rule by searching for Docket No. FMCSA-2001-11117. There is a link to TSA's interim final rule at TSA For more information:
Contact: Andy Beck: (202) 366-8810 CR funds highways at $31.8 Billion
The ongoing dispute over FY2003 funding of the highway funding has been temporarily resolved in the Continuing Resolution that Congress passed on October 16. It set a level of $31.6 billion, the same as current year funding. While the CR lasts only until November 22, this means that funding will be available for the next five weeks based on the pro-rata share of $31.6 billion. Perhaps more importantly, this sets a precedent for another CR extending beyond November 22 and/or the final Transportation Appropriations bill that would cover the entire federal fiscal year. The ultimate level will be decided sometime in the future. This entire issue stems from the Bush administration original budget request for $23 billion for the highway program, an almost 49 billion cut, and the desire of the Congress to set a higher funding level. The House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee funds the highway program at $27.7 billion and the Senate Appropriators raise the level to $31.8 billion. Contact: Bob Fogel 202/942-4217; bfogel@naco.org

2002 Conditions and Performance Report Released by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration(FTA)
The average annual cost to improve highways and bridges from 2001-2020 is about $106.9 billion by all levels of government stated in constant year 2000 dollars, according to a government report due to be released this fall. According to the 2002 Conditions and Performance Report produced by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the average annual investment needed to maintain highways and bridges and current conditions for that same time period would be $75.9 billion. The average annual investment to improve transit conditions and capacity from 2001-2002 is about $20.6 billion in constant year 2000 dollars. To maintain the current system, $14.8 billion is needed.

NACE Joins TISP Partnership The Infrastructure Security Partnership (TISP) consists of over 140 organizations and associations with the following vision: Serving as the primary national leader for collaboration and the sharing of anti-terrorism information about the built environment and the primary asset for the planning, design, engineering, construction and operating industry. Recognizing that anti-terrorism is a component of multi-hazard mitigation and an integral part of planning, designing, constructing and operating the built environment. Ensuring that engineering considerations are fully integrated into the broad context of anti-terrorism. The partnership mission is to act as a national asset facilitating dialogue on domestic infrastructure security and offering sources of technical support and sources for comment on public policy related to the security of the nation’s built environment. The TISP will provide technical assistance and information to the Department of Homeland Security. To learn more about TISP visit their website at TISP