TITLE 23 - US CODE - CHAPTER 1 - FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAYS

23 USC 130 - Railway-highway crossings

(a) Subject to section 120 and subsection (b) of this section, the entire cost of construction of projects for the elimination of hazards of railway-highway crossings, including the separation or protection of grades at crossings, the reconstruction of existing railroad grade crossing structures, and the relocation of highways to eliminate grade crossings, may be paid from sums apportioned in accordance with section 104 of this title. In any case when the elimination of the hazards of a railway-highway crossing can be effected by the relocation of a portion of a railway at a cost estimated by the Secretary to be less than the cost of such elimination by one of the methods mentioned in the first sentence of this section, then the entire cost of such relocation project, subject to section 120 and subsection (b) of this section, may be paid from sums apportioned in accordance with section 104 of this title.
(b) The Secretary may classify the various types of projects involved in the elimination of hazards of railway-highway crossings, and may set for each such classification a percentage of the costs of construction which shall be deemed to represent the net benefit to the railroad or railroads for the purpose of determining the railroads share of the cost of construction. The percentage so determined shall in no case exceed 10 per centum. The Secretary shall determine the appropriate classification of each project.
(c) Any railroad involved in a project for the elimination of hazards of railway-highway crossings paid for in whole or in part from sums made available for expenditure under this title, or prior Acts, shall be liable to the United States for the net benefit to the railroad determined under the classification of such project made pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. Such liability to the United States may be discharged by direct payment to the State transportation department of the State in which the project is located, in which case such payment shall be credited to the cost of the project. Such payment may consist in whole or in part of materials and labor furnished by the railroad in connection with the construction of such project. If any such railroad fails to discharge such liability within a six-month period after completion of the project, it shall be liable to the United States for its share of the cost, and the Secretary shall request the Attorney General to institute proceedings against such railroad for the recovery of the amount for which it is liable under this subsection. The Attorney General is authorized to bring such proceedings on behalf of the United States, in the appropriate district court of the United States, and the United States shall be entitled in such proceedings to recover such sums as it is considered and adjudged by the court that such railroad is liable for in the premises. Any amounts recovered by the United States under this subsection shall be credited to miscellaneous receipts.
(d) Survey and Schedule of Projects.— 
Each State shall conduct and systematically maintain a survey of all highways to identify those railroad crossings which may require separation, relocation, or protective devices, and establish and implement a schedule of projects for this purpose. At a minimum, such a schedule shall provide signs for all railway-highway crossings.
(e) Funds for Protective Devices.— 

(1) In general.— 
Before making an apportionment under section 104 (b)(5) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall set aside, from amounts made available to carry out the highway safety improvement program under section 148 for such fiscal year, at least $220,000,000 for the elimination of hazards and the installation of protective devices at railway-highway crossings. At least 1/2 of the funds authorized for and expended under this section shall be available for the installation of protective devices at railway-highway crossings. Sums authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section shall be available for obligation in the same manner as funds apportioned under section 104 (b)(1) of this title.
(2) Special rule.— 
If a State demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the State has met all its needs for installation of protective devices at railway-highway crossings, the State may use funds made available by this section for other purposes under this subsection.
(f) Apportionment.— 

(1) Formula.— 
Fifty percent of the funds set aside to carry out this section pursuant to subsection (e)(1) shall be apportioned to the States in accordance with the formula set forth in section 104 (b)(3)(A), and 50 percent of such funds shall be apportioned to the States in the ratio that total public railway-highway crossings in each State bears to the total of such crossings in all States.
(2) Minimum apportionment.— 
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), each State shall receive a minimum of one-half of 1 percent of the funds apportioned under paragraph (1).
(3) Federal share.— 
The Federal share payable on account of any project financed with funds set aside to carry out this section shall be 90 percent of the cost thereof.
(g) Annual Report.— 
Each State shall report to the Secretary not later than December 30 of each year on the progress being made to implement the railway-highway crossings program authorized by this section and the effectiveness of such improvements. Each State report shall contain an assessment of the costs of the various treatments employed and subsequent accident experience at improved locations. The Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,[1] of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, not later than April 1, 2006, and every 2 years thereafter,,[1] on the progress being made by the State in implementing projects to improve railway-highway crossings. The report shall include, but not be limited to, the number of projects undertaken, their distribution by cost range, road system, nature of treatment, and subsequent accident experience at improved locations. In addition, the Secretarys report shall analyze and evaluate each State program, identify any State found not to be in compliance with the schedule of improvements required by subsection (d) and include recommendations for future implementation of the railroad highway[2] crossings program.
(h) Use of Funds for Matching.— 
Funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section may be used to provide a local government with funds to be used on a matching basis when State funds are available which may only be spent when the local government produces matching funds for the improvement of railway-highway crossings.
(i) Incentive Payments for At-Grade Crossing Closures.— 

(1) In general.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section and subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a State may, from sums available to the State under this section, make incentive payments to local governments in the State upon the permanent closure by such governments of public at-grade railway-highway crossings under the jurisdiction of such governments.
(2) Incentive payments by railroads.— 
A State may not make an incentive payment under paragraph (1) to a local government with respect to the closure of a crossing unless the railroad owning the tracks on which the crossing is located makes an incentive payment to the government with respect to the closure.
(3) Amount of state payment.— 
The amount of the incentive payment payable to a local government by a State under paragraph (1) with respect to a crossing may not exceed the lesser of
(A) the amount of the incentive payment paid to the government with respect to the crossing by the railroad concerned under paragraph (2); or
(B) $7,500.
(4) Use of state payments.— 
A local government receiving an incentive payment from a State under paragraph (1) shall use the amount of the incentive payment for transportation safety improvements.
(j) Bicycle Safety.— 
In carrying out projects under this section, a State shall take into account bicycle safety.
(k) Expenditure of Funds.— 
Not more than 2 percent of funds apportioned to a State to carry out this section may be used by the State for compilation and analysis of data in support of activities carried out under subsection (g).
[1] So in original.
[2] So in original. Probably should be “railroad-highway”.

23 USC 101 - Definitions and declaration of policy

(a) Definitions.— 
In this title, the following definitions apply:
(1) Apportionment.— 
The term apportionment includes unexpended apportionments made under prior authorization laws.
(2) Carpool project.— 
The term carpool project means any project to encourage the use of carpools and vanpools, including provision of carpooling opportunities to the elderly and individuals with disabilities, systems for locating potential riders and informing them of carpool opportunities, acquiring vehicles for carpool use, designating existing highway lanes as preferential carpool highway lanes, providing related traffic control devices, and designating existing facilities for use for preferential parking for carpools.
(3) Construction.— 
The term construction means the supervising, inspecting, actual building, and incurrence of all costs incidental to the construction or reconstruction of a highway, including bond costs and other costs relating to the issuance in accordance with section 122 of bonds or other debt financing instruments and costs incurred by the State in performing Federal-aid project related audits that directly benefit the Federal-aid highway program. Such term includes
(A) locating, surveying, and mapping (including the establishment of temporary and permanent geodetic markers in accordance with specifications of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce);
(B) resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation;
(C) acquisition of rights-of-way;
(D) relocation assistance, acquisition of replacement housing sites, and acquisition and rehabilitation, relocation, and construction of replacement housing;
(E) elimination of hazards of railway grade crossings;
(F) elimination of roadside obstacles;
(G) improvements that directly facilitate and control traffic flow, such as grade separation of intersections, widening of lanes, channelization of traffic, traffic control systems, and passenger loading and unloading areas; and
(H) capital improvements that directly facilitate an effective vehicle weight enforcement program, such as scales (fixed and portable), scale pits, scale installation, and scale houses.
(4) County.— 
The term county includes corresponding units of government under any other name in States that do not have county organizations and, in those States in which the county government does not have jurisdiction over highways, any local government unit vested with jurisdiction over local highways.
(5) Federal-aid highway.— 
The term Federal-aid highway means a highway eligible for assistance under this chapter other than a highway classified as a local road or rural minor collector.
(6) Federal-aid system.— 
The term Federal-aid system means any of the Federal-aid highway systems described in section 103.
(7) Federal lands highway.— 
The term Federal lands highway means a forest highway, public lands highway, park road, parkway, refuge road, and Indian reservation road that is a public road.
(8) Forest development roads and trails.— 
The term forest development roads and trails means forest roads and trails under the jurisdiction of the Forest Service.
(9) Forest highway.— 
The term forest highway means a forest road under the jurisdiction of, and maintained by, a public authority and open to public travel.
(10) Forest road or trail.— 
The term forest road or trail means a road or trail wholly or partly within, or adjacent to, and serving the National Forest System that is necessary for the protection, administration, and utilization of the National Forest System and the use and development of its resources.
(11) Highway.— 
The term highway includes
(A) a road, street, and parkway;
(B) a right-of-way, bridge, railroad-highway crossing, tunnel, drainage structure, sign, guardrail, and protective structure, in connection with a highway; and
(C) a portion of any interstate or international bridge or tunnel and the approaches thereto, the cost of which is assumed by a State transportation department, including such facilities as may be required by the United States Customs and Immigration Services in connection with the operation of an international bridge or tunnel.
(12) Indian reservation road.— 
The term Indian reservation road means a public road that is located within or provides access to an Indian reservation or Indian trust land or restricted Indian land that is not subject to fee title alienation without the approval of the Federal Government, or Indian and Alaska Native villages, groups, or communities in which Indians and Alaskan Natives reside, whom the Secretary of the Interior has determined are eligible for services generally available to Indians under Federal laws specifically applicable to Indians.
(13) Interstate System.— 
The term Interstate System means the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways described in section 103 (c).
(14) Maintenance.— 
The term maintenance means the preservation of the entire highway, including surface, shoulders, roadsides, structures, and such traffic-control devices as are necessary for safe and efficient utilization of the highway.
(15) Maintenance area.— 
The term maintenance area means an area that was designated as a nonattainment area, but was later redesignated by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency as an attainment area, under section 107(d) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7407 (d)).
(16) National Highway System.— 
The term National Highway System means the Federal-aid highway system described in section 103 (b).
(17) Operating costs for traffic monitoring, management, and control.— 
The term operating costs for traffic monitoring, management, and control includes labor costs, administrative costs, costs of utilities and rent, and other costs associated with the continuous operation of traffic control, such as integrated traffic control systems, incident management programs, and traffic control centers.
(18) Operational improvement.— 
The term operational improvement
(A) means
(i)  a capital improvement for installation of traffic surveillance and control equipment, computerized signal systems, motorist information systems, integrated traffic control systems, incident management programs, and transportation demand management facilities, strategies, and programs, and
(ii)  such other capital improvements to public roads as the Secretary may designate, by regulation; and
(B) does not include resurfacing, restoring, or rehabilitating improvements, construction of additional lanes, interchanges, and grade separations, and construction of a new facility on a new location.
(19) Park road.— 
The term park road means a public road, including a bridge built primarily for pedestrian use, but with capacity for use by emergency vehicles, that is located within, or provides access to, an area in the National Park System with title and maintenance responsibilities vested in the United States.
(20) Parkway.— 
The term parkway, as used in chapter 2 of this title, means a parkway authorized by Act of Congress on lands to which title is vested in the United States.
(21) Project.— 
The term project means an undertaking to construct a particular portion of a highway, or if the context so implies, the particular portion of a highway so constructed or any other undertaking eligible for assistance under this title.
(22) Project agreement.— 
The term project agreement means the formal instrument to be executed by the State transportation department and the Secretary as required by section 106.
(23) Public authority.— 
The term public authority means a Federal, State, county, town, or township, Indian tribe, municipal or other local government or instrumentality with authority to finance, build, operate, or maintain toll or toll-free facilities.
(24) Public lands development roads and trails.— 
The term public lands development roads and trails means those roads and trails that the Secretary of the Interior determines are of primary importance for the development, protection, administration, and utilization of public lands and resources under the control of the Secretary of the Interior.
(25) Public lands highway.— 
The term public lands highway means a forest road under the jurisdiction of and maintained by a public authority and open to public travel or any highway through unappropriated or unreserved public lands, nontaxable Indian lands, or other Federal reservations under the jurisdiction of and maintained by a public authority and open to public travel.
(26) Public lands highways.— 
The term public lands highways means those main highways through unappropriated or unreserved public lands, nontaxable Indian lands, or other Federal reservations, which are on the Federal-aid systems.
(27) Public road.— 
The term public road means any road or street under the jurisdiction of and maintained by a public authority and open to public travel.
(28) Refuge road.— 
The term refuge road means a public road that provides access to or within a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System and for which title and maintenance responsibility is vested in the United States Government.
(29) Rural areas.— 
The term rural areas means all areas of a State not included in urban areas.
(30) Safety improvement project.— 
The term safety improvement project means a project that corrects or improves high hazard locations, eliminates roadside obstacles, improves highway signing and pavement marking, installs priority control systems for emergency vehicles at signalized intersections, installs or replaces emergency motorist aid call boxes, or installs traffic control or warning devices at locations with high accident potential.
(31) Secretary.— 
The term Secretary means Secretary of Transportation.
(32) State.— 
The term State means any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico.
(33) State funds.— 
The term State funds includes funds raised under the authority of the State or any political or other subdivision thereof, and made available for expenditure under the direct control of the State transportation department.
(34) State transportation department.— 
The term State transportation department means that department, commission, board, or official of any State charged by its laws with the responsibility for highway construction.
(35) Transportation enhancement activity.— 
The term transportation enhancement activity means, with respect to any project or the area to be served by the project, any of the following activities as the activities relate to surface transportation:
(A) Provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles.
(B) Provision of safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists.
(C) Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites (including historic battlefields).
(D) Scenic or historic highway programs (including the provision of tourist and welcome center facilities).
(E) Landscaping and other scenic beautification.
(F) Historic preservation.
(G) Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures, or facilities (including historic railroad facilities and canals).
(H) Preservation of abandoned railway corridors (including the conversion and use of the corridors for pedestrian or bicycle trails).
(I) Inventory, control, and removal of outdoor advertising.
(J) Archaeological planning and research.
(K) Environmental mitigation
(i) to address water pollution due to highway runoff; or
(ii) [1] reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity.
(L) Establishment of transportation museums.
(36) Urban area.— 
The term urban area means an urbanized area or, in the case of an urbanized area encompassing more than one State, that part of the urbanized area in each such State, or urban place as designated by the Bureau of the Census having a population of 5,000 or more and not within any urbanized area, within boundaries to be fixed by responsible State and local officials in cooperation with each other, subject to approval by the Secretary. Such boundaries shall encompass, at a minimum, the entire urban place designated by the Bureau of the Census, except in the case of cities in the State of Maine and in the State of New Hampshire.
(37) Urbanized area.— 
The term urbanized area means an area with a population of 50,000 or more designated by the Bureau of the Census, within boundaries to be fixed by responsible State and local officials in cooperation with each other, subject to approval by the Secretary. Such boundaries shall encompass, at a minimum, the entire urbanized area within a State as designated by the Bureau of the Census.
(38) Advanced truck stop electrification system.— 
The term advanced truck stop electrification system means a system that delivers heat, air conditioning, electricity, or communications to a heavy duty vehicle.
(b) Declaration of Policy.— 

(1) Acceleration of construction of federal-aid highway systems.— 
Congress declares that it is in the national interest to accelerate the construction of Federal-aid highway systems, including the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense,[2] because many of the highways (or portions of the highways) are inadequate to meet the needs of local and interstate commerce for the national and civil defense.
(2) Completion of interstate system.— 
Congress declares that the prompt and early completion of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways (referred to in this section as the Interstate System), so named because of its primary importance to the national defense, is essential to the national interest. It is the intent of Congress that the Interstate System be completed as nearly as practicable over the period of availability of the forty years appropriations authorized for the purpose of expediting its construction, reconstruction, or improvement, inclusive of necessary tunnels and bridges, through the fiscal year ending September 30, 1996, under section 108(b) of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (70 Stat. 374), and that the entire system in all States be brought to simultaneous completion. Insofar as possible in consonance with this objective, existing highways located on an interstate route shall be used to the extent that such use is practicable, suitable, and feasible, it being the intent that local needs, to the extent practicable, suitable, and feasible, shall be given equal consideration with the needs of interstate commerce.
(3) Transportation needs of 21st century.— 
Congress declares that
(A) it is in the national interest to preserve and enhance the surface transportation system to meet the needs of the United States for the 21st Century;
(B) the current urban and long distance personal travel and freight movement demands have surpassed the original forecasts and travel demand patterns are expected to continue to change;
(C) continued planning for and investment in surface transportation is critical to ensure the surface transportation system adequately meets the changing travel demands of the future;
(D) among the foremost needs that the surface transportation system must meet to provide for a strong and vigorous national economy are safe, efficient, and reliable
(i) national and interregional personal mobility (including personal mobility in rural and urban areas) and reduced congestion;
(ii) flow of interstate and international commerce and freight transportation; and
(iii) travel movements essential for national security;
(E) special emphasis should be devoted to providing safe and efficient access for the type and size of commercial and military vehicles that access designated National Highway System intermodal freight terminals;
(F) the connection between land use and infrastructure is significant;
(G) transportation should play a significant role in promoting economic growth, improving the environment, and sustaining the quality of life; and
(H) the Secretary should take appropriate actions to preserve and enhance the Interstate System to meet the needs of the 21st Century.
(c) It is the sense of Congress that under existing law no part of any sums authorized to be appropriated for expenditure upon any Federal-aid system which has been apportioned pursuant to the provisions of this title shall be impounded or withheld from obligation, for purposes and projects as provided in this title, by any officer or employee in the executive branch of the Federal Government, except such specific sums as may be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, are necessary to be withheld from obligation for specific periods of time to assure that sufficient amounts will be available in the Highway Trust Fund to defray the expenditures which will be required to be made from such fund.
(d) No funds authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund shall be expended by or on behalf of any Federal department, agency, or instrumentality other than the Federal Highway Administration unless funds for such expenditure are identified and included as a line item in an appropriation Act and are to meet obligations of the United States heretofore or hereafter incurred under this title attributable to the construction of Federal-aid highways or highway planning, research, or development, or as otherwise specifically authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund by Federal-aid highway legislation.
(e) It is the national policy that to the maximum extent possible the procedures to be utilized by the Secretary and all other affected heads of Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities for carrying out this title and any other provision of law relating to the Federal highway programs shall encourage the substantial minimization of paperwork and interagency decision procedures and the best use of available manpower and funds so as to prevent needless duplication and unnecessary delays at all levels of government.
[1] So in original. The word “to” probably should appear.
[2] So in original. Probably should be “Defense Highways,”.

23 USC 102 - Program efficiencies

(a) Access of Motorcycles.— 
No State or political subdivision of a State may enact or enforce a law that applies only to motorcycles and the principal purpose of which is to restrict the access of motorcycles to any highway or portion of a highway for which Federal-aid highway funds have been utilized for planning, design, construction, or maintenance. Nothing in this subsection shall affect the authority of a State or political subdivision of a State to regulate motorcycles for safety.
(b) Engineering Cost Reimbursement.— 
If on-site construction of, or acquisition of right-of-way for, a highway project is not commenced within 10 years (or such longer period as the State requests and the Secretary determines to be reasonable) after the date on which Federal funds are first made available, out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than Mass Transit Account), for preliminary engineering of such project, the State shall pay an amount equal to the amount of Federal funds made available for such engineering. The Secretary shall deposit in such Fund all amounts paid to the Secretary under this section.

23 USC 103 - Federal-aid systems

(a) In General.— 
For the purposes of this title, the Federal-aid systems are the Interstate System and the National Highway System.
(b) National Highway System.— 

(1) Description.— 
The National Highway System consists of the highway routes and connections to transportation facilities depicted on the map submitted by the Secretary to Congress with the report entitled Pulling Together: The National Highway System and its Connections to Major Intermodal Terminals and dated May 24, 1996. The system shall
(A) serve major population centers, international border crossings, ports, airports, public transportation facilities, and other intermodal transportation facilities and other major travel destinations;
(B) meet national defense requirements; and
(C) serve interstate and interregional travel.
(2) Components.— 
The National Highway System described in paragraph (1) consists of the following:
(A) The Interstate System described in subsection (c).
(B) Other urban and rural principal arterial routes.
(C) Other connector highways (including toll facilities) that provide motor vehicle access between arterial routes on the National Highway System and a major intermodal transportation facility.
(D) A strategic highway network consisting of a network of highways that are important to the United States strategic defense policy and that provide defense access, continuity, and emergency capabilities for the movement of personnel, materials, and equipment in both peacetime and wartime. The highways may be highways on or off the Interstate System and shall be designated by the Secretary in consultation with appropriate Federal agencies and the States.
(E) Major strategic highway network connectors consisting of highways that provide motor vehicle access between major military installations and highways that are part of the strategic highway network. The highways shall be designated by the Secretary in consultation with appropriate Federal agencies and the States.
(3) Maximum mileage.— 
The mileage of highways on the National Highway System shall not exceed 178,250 miles.
(4) Modifications to nhs.— 

(A) In general.— 
The Secretary may make any modification, including any modification consisting of a connector to a major intermodal terminal, to the National Highway System that is proposed by a State or that is proposed by a State and revised by the Secretary if the Secretary determines that the modification
(i) meets the criteria established for the National Highway System under this title; and
(ii) enhances the national transportation characteristics of the National Highway System.
(B) Cooperation.— 

(i) In general.— 
In proposing a modification under this paragraph, a State shall cooperate with local and regional officials.
(ii) Urbanized areas.— 
In an urbanized area, the local officials shall act through the metropolitan planning organization designated for the area under section 134.
(5) Congressional high priority corridors.— 
Upon the completion of feasibility studies, the Secretary shall add to the National Highway System any congressional high priority corridor or any segment of such a corridor established by section 1105 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 Stat. 2031 et seq.) that was not identified on the National Highway System described in paragraph (1).
(6) State eligible projects for nhs.— 
Subject to approval by the Secretary, funds apportioned to a State under section 104 (b)(1) for the National Highway System may be obligated for any of the following:
(A) Construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation of segments of the National Highway System.
(B) Operational improvements for segments of the National Highway System.
(C) Construction of, and operational improvements for, a Federal-aid highway not on the National Highway System, and construction of a transit project eligible for assistance under chapter 53 of title 49, if
(i) the highway or transit project is in the same corridor as, and in proximity to, a fully access-controlled highway designated as a part of the National Highway System;
(ii) the construction or improvements will improve the level of service on the fully access-controlled highway described in clause (i) and improve regional traffic flow; and
(iii) the construction or improvements are more cost-effective than an improvement to the fully access-controlled highway described in clause (i).
(D) Highway safety improvements for segments of the National Highway System.
(E) Transportation planning in accordance with sections 134 and 135.
(F) Highway research and planning in accordance with chapter 5.
(G) Highway-related technology transfer activities.
(H) Capital and operating costs for traffic monitoring, management, and control facilities and programs.
(I) Fringe and corridor parking facilities.
(J) Carpool and vanpool projects.
(K) Bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkways in accordance with section 217.
(L) Development, establishment, and implementation of management systems under section 303.
(M) In accordance with all applicable Federal law (including regulations), participation in natural habitat and wetland mitigation efforts related to projects funded under this title, which may include participation in natural habitat and wetland mitigation banks, contributions to statewide and regional efforts to conserve, restore, enhance, and create natural habitats and wetland, and development of statewide and regional natural habitat and wetland conservation and mitigation plans, including any such banks, efforts, and plans authorized under the Water Resources Development Act of 1990 (Public Law 101640) (including crediting provisions). Contributions to the mitigation efforts described in the preceding sentence may take place concurrent with or in advance of project construction; except that contributions in advance of project construction may occur only if the efforts are consistent with all applicable requirements of Federal law (including regulations) and State transportation planning processes. With respect to participation in a natural habitat or wetland mitigation effort related to a project funded under this title that has an impact that occurs within the service area of a mitigation bank, preference shall be given, to the maximum extent practicable, to the use of the mitigation bank if the bank contains sufficient available credits to offset the impact and the bank is approved in accordance with the Federal Guidance for the Establishment, Use and Operation of Mitigation Banks (60 Fed. Reg. 58605 (November 28, 1995)) or other applicable Federal law (including regulations).
(N) Publicly-owned intracity or intercity bus terminals.
(O) Infrastructure-based intelligent transportation systems capital improvements.
[(P) Repealed. Pub. L. 109–59, title I, § 1118(b)(1)(B), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1181.]
(Q) Environmental restoration and pollution abatement in accordance with section 328.
(R) Control of noxious weeds and aquatic noxious weeds and establishment of native species in accordance with section 329.
(7) Territory eligible projects.— 
Subject to approval by the Secretary, funds set aside for this program under section 104 (b)(1) for the National Highway System may be obligated for projects eligible for assistance under the territorial highway program under section 215.
(c) Interstate System.— 

(1) Description.— 

(A) In general.— 
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways within the United States (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) consists of highways designed, located, and selected in accordance with this paragraph.
(B) Design.— 

(i) In general.— 
Except as provided in clause (ii), highways on the Interstate System shall be designed in accordance with the standards of section 109 (b).
(ii) Exception.— 
Highways on the Interstate System in Alaska and Puerto Rico shall be designed in accordance with such geometric and construction standards as are adequate for current and probable future traffic demands and the needs of the locality of the highway.
(C) Location.— 
Highways on the Interstate System shall be located so as
(i) to connect by routes, as direct as practicable, the principal metropolitan areas, cities, and industrial centers;
(ii) to serve the national defense; and
(iii) to the maximum extent practicable, to connect at suitable border points with routes of continental importance in Canada and Mexico.
(D) Selection of routes.— 
To the maximum extent practicable, each route of the Interstate System shall be selected by joint action of the State transportation departments of the State in which the route is located and the adjoining States, in cooperation with local and regional officials, and subject to the approval of the Secretary.
(2) Maximum mileage.— 
The mileage of highways on the Interstate System shall not exceed 43,000 miles, exclusive of designations under paragraph (4).
(3) Modifications.— 
The Secretary may approve or require modifications to the Interstate System in a manner consistent with the policies and procedures established under this subsection.
(4) Interstate system designations.— 

(A) Additions.— 
If the Secretary determines that a highway on the National Highway System meets all standards of a highway on the Interstate System and that the highway is a logical addition or connection to the Interstate System, the Secretary may, upon the affirmative recommendation of the State or States in which the highway is located, designate the highway as a route on the Interstate System.
(B) Designations as future interstate system routes.— 

(i) In general.— 
If the Secretary determines that a highway on the National Highway System would be a logical addition or connection to the Interstate System and would qualify for designation as a route on the Interstate System under subparagraph (A) if the highway met all standards of a highway on the Interstate System, the Secretary may, upon the affirmative recommendation of the State or States in which the highway is located, designate the highway as a future Interstate System route.
(ii) Written agreement of states.— 
A designation under clause (i) shall be made only upon the written agreement of the State or States described in such clause that the highway will be constructed to meet all standards of a highway on the Interstate System by the date that is 25 years after the date of the agreement.
(iii) Removal of designation.— 

(I) In general.— 
If the State or States described in clause (i) have not substantially completed the construction of a highway designated under this subparagraph within the time provided for under clause (ii), the Secretary shall remove the designation of the highway as a future Interstate System route.
(II) Effect of removal.— 
Removal of the designation of a highway under subclause (I) shall not preclude the Secretary from designating the highway as a route on the Interstate System under subparagraph (A) or under any other provision of law providing for addition to the Interstate System.
(III) Existing agreements.— 
An agreement described in clause (ii) that is entered into before the date of enactment of this subclause shall be deemed to include the 25-year time limitation described in that clause, regardless of any earlier construction completion date in the agreement.
(iv) Prohibition on referral as interstate system route.— 
No law, rule, regulation, map, document, or other record of the United States, or of any State or political subdivision of a State, shall refer to any highway designated as a future Interstate System route under this subparagraph, nor shall any such highway be signed or marked, as a highway on the Interstate System until such time as the highway is constructed to the geometric and construction standards for the Interstate System and has been designated as a route on the Interstate System.
(C) Financial responsibility.— 
Except as provided in this title, the designation of a highway under this paragraph shall create no additional Federal financial responsibility with respect to the highway.
(5) Exemption of interstate system.— 

(A) In general.— 
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Interstate System shall not be considered to be a historic site under section 303 of title 49 or section 138 of this title, regardless of whether the Interstate System or portions or elements of the Interstate System are listed on, or eligible for listing on, the National Register of Historic Places.
(B) Individual elements.— 
Subject to subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall determine, through the administrative process established for exempting the Interstate System from section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f), those individual elements of the Interstate System that possess national or exceptional historic significance (such as a historic bridge or a highly significant engineering feature). Such elements shall be considered to be a historic site under section 303 of title 49 or section 138 of this title, as applicable.
(C) Construction, maintenance, restoration, and rehabilitation activities.— 
Subparagraph (B) does not prohibit a State from carrying out construction, maintenance, restoration, or rehabilitation activities for a portion of the Interstate System referred to in subparagraph (B) upon compliance with section 303 of title 49 or section 138 of this title, as applicable, and section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f).
(d) Transfer of Interstate Construction Funds.— 

(1) Interstate construction funds not in surplus.— 

(A) In general.— 
Upon application by a State and approval by the Secretary, the Secretary may transfer to the apportionment of the State under section 104 (b)(1) any amount of funds apportioned to the State under section 104 (b)(5)(A) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century), if the amount does not exceed the Federal share of the costs of construction of segments of the Interstate System in the State included in the most recent Interstate System cost estimate.
(B) Effect of transfer.— 
Upon transfer of an amount under subparagraph (A), the construction on which the amount is based, as included in the most recent Interstate System cost estimate, shall not be eligible for funding under section 104 (b)(5)(A) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century) or 118(c).
(2) Surplus interstate construction funds.— 
Upon application by a State and approval by the Secretary, the Secretary may transfer to the apportionment of the State under section 104 (b)(1) any amount of surplus funds apportioned to the State under section 104 (b)(5)(A) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century), if the State has fully financed all work eligible under the most recent Interstate System cost estimate.
(3) Applicability of certain laws.— 
Funds transferred under this subsection shall be subject to the laws (including regulations, policies, and procedures) relating to the apportionment to which the funds are transferred.

23 USC 104 - Apportionment

(a) Administrative Expenses.— 

(1) In general.— 
There are authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to be made available to the Secretary for administrative expenses of the Federal Highway Administration
(A) $353,024,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(B) $370,613,540 for fiscal year 2006;
(C) $389,079,500 for fiscal year 2007;
(D) $408,465,500 for fiscal year 2008; and
(E) $423,717,460 for fiscal year 2009.
(2) Purposes.— 
The funds authorized by this subsection shall be used
(A) to administer the provisions of law to be financed from appropriations for the Federal-aid highway program and programs authorized under chapter 2; and
(B) to make transfers of such sums as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to the Appalachian Regional Commission for administrative activities associated with the Appalachian development highway system.
(3) Availability.— 
The funds made available under paragraph (1) shall remain available until expended.
(b) Apportionments.— 
On October 1 of each fiscal year, the Secretary, after making the set-asides authorized by subsections (d) and (f) and section 130 (e), shall apportion the remainder of the sums authorized to be appropriated for expenditure on the Interstate and National Highway System program, the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program, the highway safety improvement program, and the Surface Transportation program for that fiscal year, among the several States in the following manner:
(1) National highway system component.— 

(A) In general.— 
For the National Highway System (excluding funds apportioned under paragraph (4)), $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006 and $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2009 for the territorial highway program under section 215, $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009 for the Alaska Highway, and the remainder apportioned as follows:
(i) 25 percent in the ratio that
(I) the total lane miles of principal arterial routes (excluding Interstate System routes) in each State; bears to
(II) the total lane miles of principal arterial routes (excluding Interstate System routes) in all States.
(ii) 35 percent in the ratio that
(I) the total vehicle miles traveled on lanes on principal arterial routes (excluding Interstate System routes) in each State; bears to
(II) the total vehicle miles traveled on lanes on principal arterial routes (excluding Interstate System routes) in all States.
(iii) 30 percent in the ratio that
(I) the total diesel fuel used on highways in each State; bears to
(II) the total diesel fuel used on highways in all States.
(iv) 10 percent in the ratio that
(I) the quotient obtained by dividing the total lane miles on principal arterial highways in each State by the total population of the State; bears to
(II) the quotient obtained by dividing the total lane miles on principal arterial highways in all States by the total population of all States.
(B) Minimum apportionment.— 
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) and paragraph (4), each State shall receive a minimum of 1/2 of 1 percent of the funds apportioned under subparagraph (A) and paragraph (4).
(2) Congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program.— 

(A) In general.— 
For the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program, in the ratio that
(i) the total of all weighted nonattainment and maintenance area populations in each State; bears to
(ii) the total of all weighted nonattainment and maintenance area populations in all States.
(B) Calculation of weighted nonattainment and maintenance area population.— 
Subject to subparagraph (C), for the purpose of subparagraph (A), the weighted nonattainment and maintenance area population shall be calculated by multiplying the population of each area in a State that was a nonattainment area or maintenance area as described in section 149 (b) for ozone or carbon monoxide by a factor of
(i) 1.0 if, at the time of apportionment, the area is a maintenance area;
(ii) 1.0 if, at the time of the apportionment, the area is classified as a marginal ozone nonattainment area under subpart 2 of part D of title I of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7511 et seq.);
(iii) 1.1 if, at the time of the apportionment, the area is classified as a moderate ozone nonattainment area under such subpart;
(iv) 1.2 if, at the time of the apportionment, the area is classified as a serious ozone nonattainment area under such subpart;
(v) 1.3 if, at the time of the apportionment, the area is classified as a severe ozone nonattainment area under such subpart;
(vi) 1.4 if, at the time of the apportionment, the area is classified as an extreme ozone nonattainment area under such subpart;
(vii) 1.0 if, at the time of the apportionment, the area is not a nonattainment or maintenance area as described in section 149 (b) for ozone, but is classified under subpart 3 of part D of title I of such Act (42 U.S.C. 7512 et seq.) as a nonattainment area described in section 149 (b) for carbon monoxide; or
(viii) 1.0 if, at the time of apportionment, an area is designated as nonattainment for ozone under subpart 1 of part D of title I of such Act (42 U.S.C. 7512 et seq.).[1]
(C) Additional adjustment for carbon monoxide areas.— 
If, in addition to being designated as a nonattainment or maintenance area for ozone as described in section 149 (b), any county within the area was also classified under subpart 3 of part D of title I of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7512 et seq.) as a nonattainment or maintenance area described in section 149 (b) for carbon monoxide, the weighted nonattainment or maintenance area population of the county, as determined under clauses (i) through (vi) or clause (viii) of subparagraph (B), shall be further multiplied by a factor of 1.2.
(D) Minimum apportionment.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph, each State shall receive a minimum of 1/2 of 1 percent of the funds apportioned under this paragraph.
(E) Determinations of population.— 
In determining population figures for the purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary shall use the latest available annual estimates prepared by the Secretary of Commerce.
(3) Surface transportation program.— 

(A) In general.— 
For the surface transportation program, in accordance with the following formula:
(i) 25 percent of the apportionments in the ratio that
(I) the total lane miles of Federal-aid highways in each State; bears to
(II) the total lane miles of Federal-aid highways in all States.
(ii) 40 percent of the apportionments in the ratio that
(I) the total vehicle miles traveled on lanes on Federal-aid highways in each State; bears to
(II) the total vehicle miles traveled on lanes on Federal-aid highways in all States.
(iii) 35 percent of the apportionments in the ratio that
(I) the estimated tax payments attributable to highway users in each State paid into the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) in the latest fiscal year for which data are available; bears to
(II) the estimated tax payments attributable to highway users in all States paid into the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) in the latest fiscal year for which data are available.
(B) Minimum apportionment.— 
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), each State shall receive a minimum of 1/2 of 1 percent of the funds apportioned under this paragraph.
(4) Interstate maintenance component.— 
For resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing the Interstate System
(A) 331/3 percent in the ratio that
(i) the total lane miles on Interstate System routes open to traffic in each State; bears to
(ii) the total of all such lane miles in all States;
(B) 331/3 percent in the ratio that
(i) the total vehicle miles traveled on Interstate System routes open to traffic in each State; bears to
(ii) the total of all such vehicle miles traveled in all States; and
(C) 331/3 percent in the ratio that
(i) the total of each States annual contributions to the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) attributable to commercial vehicles; bears to
(ii) the total of such annual contributions by all States.
(5) Highway safety improvement program.— 

(A) In general.— 
For the highway safety improvement program, in accordance with the following formula:
(i) 331/3 percent of the apportionments in the ratio that
(I) the total lane miles of Federal-aid highways in each State; bears to
(II) the total lane miles of Federal-aid highways in all States.
(ii) 331/3 percent of the apportionments in the ratio that
(I) the total vehicle miles traveled on lanes on Federal-aid highways in each State; bears to
(II) the total vehicle miles traveled on lanes on Federal-aid highways in all States.
(iii) 331/3 percent of the apportionments in the ratio that
(I) the number of fatalities on the Federal-aid system in each State in the latest fiscal year for which data are available; bears to
(II) the number of fatalities on the Federal-aid system in all States in the latest fiscal year for which data are available.
(B) Minimum apportionment.— 
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), each State shall receive a minimum of one-half of 1 percent of the funds apportioned under this paragraph.
(c) Transferability of NHS Apportionments.— 
A State may transfer not to exceed 50 percent of the States apportionment under subsection (b)(1) to the apportionment of the State under subsection (b)(3). A State may transfer not to exceed 100 percent of the States apportionment under subsection (b)(1) to the apportionment of the State under subsection (b)(3) if the State requests to make such transfer and the Secretary approves such transfer as being in the public interest, after providing notice and sufficient opportunity for public comment. Section 133 (d) shall not apply to funds transferred under this subsection.
(d) Operation Lifesaver and High Speed Rail Corridors.— 

(1) Operation lifesaver.— 
To carry out a public information and education program to help prevent and reduce motor vehicle accidents, injuries, and fatalities and to improve driver performance at railway-highway crossings
(A) before making an apportionment under subsection (b)(3) for fiscal year 2005, the Secretary shall set aside $560,000 for such fiscal year; and
(B) there is authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) $560,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009.
(2) Railway-highway crossing hazard elimination in high speed rail corridors.— 

(A) Funding.— 
To carry out the elimination of hazards at railway-highway crossings
(i) before making an apportionment under subsection (b)(3) for fiscal year 2005, the Secretary shall set aside $5,250,000 for such fiscal year; and
(ii) there is authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) $7,250,000 for fiscal year 2006, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $12,500,000 for fiscal year 2008, and $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
(B) Eligible corridors.— 
Subject to subparagraph (E), funds made available under subparagraph (A) shall be expended for projects in
(i) 5 railway corridors selected by the Secretary in accordance with this subsection (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this clause);
(ii) 3 railway corridors selected by the Secretary in accordance with subparagraphs (C) and (D);
(iii) a Gulf Coast high speed railway corridor (as designated by the Secretary);
(iv) a Keystone high speed railway corridor from Philadelphia to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and
(v) an Empire State railway corridor from New York City to Albany to Buffalo, New York.
(C) Required inclusion of high speed rail lines.— 
A corridor selected by the Secretary under subparagraph (B) shall include rail lines where railroad speeds of 90 miles or more per hour are occurring or can reasonably be expected to occur in the future.
(D) Considerations in corridor selection.— 
In selecting corridors under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall consider
(i) projected rail ridership volume in each corridor;
(ii) the percentage of each corridor over which a train will be capable of operating at its maximum cruise speed taking into account such factors as topography and other traffic on the line;
(iii) projected benefits to nonriders such as congestion relief on other modes of transportation serving each corridor (including congestion in heavily traveled air passenger corridors);
(iv) the amount of State and local financial support that can reasonably be anticipated for the improvement of the line and related facilities; and
(v) the cooperation of the owner of the right-of-way that can reasonably be expected in the operation of high speed rail passenger service in each corridor.
(E) Certain improvements.— 
Of such set-aside, not less than $250,000 for fiscal year 2005, $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $1,750,000 for fiscal year 2007, $2,250,000 for fiscal year 2008, and $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 shall be available for eligible improvements to the Minneapolis/St. Paul-Chicago segment of the Midwest High Speed Rail Corridor.
(F) Authorization of appropriations.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2003 to carry out this subsection.
(e) Certification of Apportionments.— 

(1) In general.— 
On October 1 of each fiscal year the Secretary shall certify to each of the State transportation departments the sums which he has apportioned hereunder to each State for such fiscal year. To permit the States to develop adequate plans for the utilization of apportioned sums, the Secretary shall advise each State of the amount that will be apportioned each year under this section not later than ninety days before the beginning of the fiscal year for which the sums to be apportioned are authorized, except that in the case of the Interstate System the Secretary shall advise each State ninety days prior to the apportionment of such funds.
(2) Notice to states.— 
If the Secretary has not made an apportionment under section 104, 105, or 144 by the 21st day of a fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1998, the Secretary shall transmit, by such 21st day, to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a written statement of the reason for not making such apportionment in a timely manner.
(f) Metropolitan Planning.— 

(1) Set-aside.— 
On October 1 of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall set aside 1.25 percent of the funds authorized to be appropriated for the Interstate maintenance, national highway system, surface transportation, congestion mitigation and air quality improvement, and highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation programs authorized under this title to carry out the requirements of section 134.
(2) Apportionment to states of set-aside funds.— 
These funds shall be apportioned to the States in the ratio which the population in urbanized areas or parts thereof, in each State bears to the total population in such urbanized areas in all the States as shown by the latest available census, except that no State shall receive less than one-half percent of the amount apportioned.
(3) Use of funds.— 

(A) In general.— 
The funds apportioned to any State under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be made available by the State to the metropolitan planning organizations responsible for carrying out the provisions of section 134 of this title, except that States receiving the minimum apportionment under paragraph (2) may, in addition, subject to the approval of the Secretary, use the funds apportioned to finance transportation planning outside of urbanized areas.
(B) Unused funds.— 
Any funds that are not used to carry out section 134 may be made available by a metropolitan planning organization to the State to fund activities under section 135.
(4) Distribution of funds within states.— 

(A) In general.— 
The distribution within any State of the planning funds made available to agencies under paragraph (3) of this subsection shall be in accordance with a formula developed by each State and approved by the Secretary which shall consider but not necessarily be limited to, population, status of planning, attainment of air quality standards, metropolitan area transportation needs, and other factors necessary to provide for an appropriate distribution of funds to carry out the requirements of section 134 and other applicable requirements of Federal law.
(B) Reimbursement.— 
Not later than 30 days after the date of receipt by a State of a request for reimbursement of expenditures made by a metropolitan planning organization for carrying out section 134, the State shall reimburse, from funds distributed under this paragraph to the metropolitan planning organization by the State, the metropolitan planning organization for those expenditures.
(5) Determination of population figures.— 
For the purposes of determining population figures under this subsection, the Secretary shall use the most recent estimate published by the Secretary of Commerce.
(g) Not more than 40 per centum of the amount apportioned in any fiscal year to each State in accordance with sections 130 and 144 may be transferred from the apportionment under one section to the apportionment under any other of such sections if such a transfer is requested by the State transportation department and is approved by the Secretary as being in the public interest. The Secretary may approve the transfer of 100 per centum of the apportionment under one such section to the apportionment under any other of such sections if such transfer is requested by the State transportation department, and is approved by the Secretary as being in the public interest, if he has received satisfactory assurances from such State transportation department that the purposes of the program from which such funds are to be transferred have been met. A State may transfer not to exceed 50 percent of the States apportionment under section 144 in any fiscal year to the apportionment of such State under subsection (b)(1) or subsection (b)(3) of this section. Any transfer to subsection (b)(3) shall not be subject to section 133 (d). Nothing in this subsection authorizes the transfer of any amount apportioned from the Highway Trust Fund to any apportionment the funds for which were not from the Highway Trust Fund, and nothing in this subsection authorizes the transfer of any amount apportioned from funds not from the Highway Trust Fund to any apportionment the funds for which were from the Highway Trust Fund.
(h) Recreational Trails Program.— 

(1) Administrative costs.— 
Before apportioning sums authorized to be appropriated to carry out the recreational trails program under section 206, the Secretary shall deduct for administrative, research, technical assistance, and training expenses for such program $840,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009. The Secretary may enter into contracts with for-profit organizations or contracts, partnerships, or cooperative agreements with other government agencies, institutions of higher learning, or nonprofit">nonprofit organizations to perform these tasks.
(2) Apportionment to the states.— 
The Secretary shall apportion the sums authorized to be appropriated for expenditure on the recreational trails program for each fiscal year, among the States in the following manner:
(A) 50 percent of that amount shall be apportioned equally among eligible States.
(B) 50 percent of that amount shall be apportioned among eligible States in amounts proportionate to the degree of non-highway recreational fuel use in each of those States during the preceding year.
(3) Eligible state defined.— 
In this section, the term eligible State means a State that meets the requirements of section 206 (c).
(i) Audits of Highway Trust Fund.— 
From administrative funds made available under subsection (a), the Secretary may reimburse the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Transportation for the conduct of annual audits of financial statements in accordance with section 3521 of title 31.
(j) Report to Congress.— 
The Secretary shall submit to Congress a report, and also make such report available to the public in a user-friendly format via the Internet, for each fiscal year on
(1) the amount obligated, by each State, for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs during the preceding fiscal year;
(2) the balance, as of the last day of the preceding fiscal year, of the unobligated apportionment of each State by fiscal year under this section and sections 105 and 144;
(3) the balance of unobligated sums available for expenditure at the discretion of the Secretary for such highways and programs for the fiscal year; and
(4) the rates of obligation of funds apportioned or set aside under this section and sections 105, 133, and 144, according to
(A) program;
(B) funding category or subcategory;
(C) type of improvement;
(D) State; and
(E) sub-State geographic area, including urbanized and rural areas, on the basis of the population of each such area.
(k) Transfer of Highway and Transit Funds.— 

(1) Transfer of highway funds for transit projects.— 

(A) In general.— 
Subject to subparagraph (B), funds made available for transit projects or transportation planning under this title may be transferred to and administered by the Secretary in accordance with chapter 53 of title 49.
(B) Non-federal share.— 
The provisions of this title relating to the non-Federal share shall apply to the funds transferred under subparagraph (A).
(2) Transfer of transit funds for highway projects.— 

(A) In general.— 
Subject to subparagraph (B), funds made available for highway projects or transportation planning under chapter 53 of title 49 may be transferred to and administered by the Secretary in accordance with this title.
(B) Non-federal share.— 
The provisions of chapter 53 of title 49 relating to the non-Federal share shall apply to funds transferred under subparagraph (A).
(3) Transfer of funds among states or to federal highway administration.— 

(A) In general.— 
Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), the Secretary may, at the request of a State, transfer funds apportioned or allocated under this title to the State to another State, or to the Federal Highway Administration, for the purpose of funding one or more projects that are eligible for assistance with funds so apportioned or allocated.
(B) Apportionment.— 
The transfer shall have no effect on any apportionment of funds to a State under this section or section 105 or 144.
(C) Surface transportation program.— 
Funds that are apportioned or allocated to a State under subsection (b)(3) and attributed to an urbanized area of a State with a population of over 200,000 individuals under section 133 (d)(3) may be transferred under this paragraph only if the metropolitan planning organization designated for the area concurs, in writing, with the transfer request.
(4) Transfer of obligation authority.— 
Obligation authority for funds transferred under this subsection shall be transferred in the same manner and amount as the funds for the projects that are transferred under this subsection.
(l) Effect of Certain Delay in Deposits Into Highway Trust Fund.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, deposits into the Highway Trust Fund resulting from the application of section 901(e) of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (111 Stat. 872) shall not be taken into account in determining the apportionments and allocations that any State shall be entitled to receive under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century and this title.
[1] See References in Text note below.

23 USC 105 - Equity bonus program

(a) Program.— 

(1) In general.— 
Subject to subsections (c) and (d), for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009, the Secretary shall allocate among the States amounts sufficient to ensure that no State receives a percentage of the total apportionments for the fiscal year for the programs specified in paragraph (2) that is less than the percentage calculated under subsection (b).
(2) Specific programs.— 
The programs referred to in subsection (a) are
(A) the Interstate maintenance program under section 119;
(B) the national highway system program under section 103;
(C) the highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program under section 144;
(D) the surface transportation program under section 133;
(E) the highway safety improvement program under section 148;
(F) the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program under section 149;
(G) metropolitan planning programs under section 104 (f);
(H) the high priority projects program under section 117;
(I) the equity bonus program under this section;
(J) the Appalachian development highway system program under subtitle IV of title 40;
(K) the recreational trails program under section 206;
(L) the safe routes to school program under section 1404 of the SAFETEALU;
(M) the rail-highway grade crossing program under section 130; and
(N) the coordinated border infrastructure program under section 1303 of the SAFETEALU.
(b) State Percentage.— 

(1) In general.— 
The percentage referred to in subsection (a) for each State shall be
(A) for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006, 90.5 percent, for fiscal year 2007, 91.5 percent, and for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009, 92 percent, of the quotient obtained by dividing
(i) the estimated tax payments attributable to highway users in the State paid into the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) in the most recent fiscal year for which data are available; by
(ii) the estimated tax payments attributable to highway users in all States paid into the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for the fiscal year; or
(B) for a State with a total population density of less than 40 persons per square mile (as reported in the decennial census conducted by the Federal Government in 2000) and of which at least 1.25 percent of the total acreage is under Federal jurisdiction, based on the report of the General Services Administration entitled Federal Real Property Profile and dated September 30, 2004, a State with a total population of less than 1,000,000 (as reported in that decennial census), a State with a median household income of less than $35,000 (as reported in that decennial census), a State with a fatality rate during 2002 on Interstate highways that is greater than one fatality for each 100,000,000 vehicle miles traveled on Interstate highways, or a State with an indexed, State motor fuels excise tax rate higher than 150 percent of the Federal motor fuels excise tax rate as of the date of enactment of the SAFETEALU, the greater of
(i) the applicable percentage under subparagraph (A); or
(ii) the average percentage of the States share of total apportionments for the period of fiscal years 1998 through 2003 for the programs specified in paragraph (2).
(2) Specific programs.— 
The programs referred to in paragraph (1)(B)(ii) are (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the SAFETEALU)
(A) the Interstate maintenance program under section 119;
(B) the national highway system program under section 103;
(C) the highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program under section 144;
(D) the surface transportation program under section 133;
(E) the recreational trails program under section 206;
(F) the high priority projects program under section 117;
(G) the minimum guarantee provided under this section;
(H) revenue aligned budget authority amounts provided under section 110;
(I) the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program under section 149;
(J) the Appalachian development highway system program under subtitle IV of title 40; and
(K) metropolitan planning programs under section 104 (f).
(c) Special Rules.— 

(1) Minimum combined allocation.— 
For each fiscal year, before making the allocations under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall allocate among the States amounts sufficient to ensure that no State receives a combined total of amounts allocated under subsection (a)(1), apportionments for the programs specified in subsection (a)(2), and amounts allocated under this subsection, that is less than the following percentages of the average for fiscal years 1998 through 2003 of the annual apportionments for the State for all programs specified in subsection (b)(2):
(A) For fiscal year 2005, 117 percent.
(B) For fiscal year 2006, 118 percent.
(C) For fiscal year 2007, 119 percent.
(D) For fiscal year 2008, 120 percent.
(E) For fiscal year 2009, 121 percent.
(2) No negative adjustment.— 
No negative adjustment shall be made under subsection (a)(1) to the apportionment of any State.
(d) Treatment of Funds.— 

(1) Programmatic distribution.— 
The Secretary shall apportion the amounts made available under this section that exceed $2,639,000,000 so that the amount apportioned to each State under this paragraph for each program referred to in subparagraphs (A) through (F) of subsection (a)(2) is equal to the amount determined by multiplying the amount to be apportioned under this paragraph by the ratio that
(A) the amount of funds apportioned to each State for each program referred to in subparagraphs (A) through (F) of subsection (a)(2) for a fiscal year; bears to
(B) the total amount of funds apportioned to such State for all such programs for such fiscal year.
(2) Remaining distribution.— 
The Secretary shall administer the remainder of funds made available under this section to the States in accordance with section 104 (b)(3), except that paragraphs (1) through (3) of section 133 (d) shall not apply to amounts administered pursuant to this paragraph.
(e) Metro Planning Set Aside.— 
Notwithstanding section 104 (f), no set aside provided for under that section shall apply to funds allocated under this section.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.— 
There are authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009.

23 USC 106 - Project approval and oversight

(a) In General.— 

(1) Submission of plans, specifications, and estimates.— 
Except as otherwise provided in this section, each State transportation department shall submit to the Secretary for approval such plans, specifications, and estimates for each proposed project as the Secretary may require.
(2) Project agreement.— 
The Secretary shall act on the plans, specifications, and estimates as soon as practicable after the date of their submission and shall enter into a formal project agreement with the State transportation department formalizing the conditions of the project approval.
(3) Contractual obligation.— 
The execution of the project agreement shall be deemed a contractual obligation of the Federal Government for the payment of the Federal share of the cost of the project.
(4) Guidance.— 
In taking action under this subsection, the Secretary shall be guided by section 109.
(b) Project Agreement.— 

(1) Provision of state funds.— 
The project agreement shall make provision for State funds required to pay the States non-Federal share of the cost of construction of the project and to pay for maintenance of the project after completion of construction.
(2) Representations of state.— 
If a part of the project is to be constructed at the expense of, or in cooperation with, political subdivisions of the State, the Secretary may rely on representations made by the State transportation department with respect to the arrangements or agreements made by the State transportation department and appropriate local officials for ensuring that the non-Federal contribution will be provided under paragraph (1).
(c) Assumption by States of Responsibilities of the Secretary.— 

(1) Non-interstate nhs projects.— 
For projects under this title that are on the National Highway System but not on the Interstate System, the State may assume the responsibilities of the Secretary under this title for design, plans, specifications, estimates, contract awards, and inspections of projects unless the State or the Secretary determines that such assumption is not appropriate.
(2) Non-nhs projects.— 
For projects under this title that are not on the National Highway System, the State shall assume the responsibilities of the Secretary under this title for design, plans, specifications, estimates, contract awards, and inspection of projects, unless the State determines that such assumption is not appropriate.
(3) Agreement.— 
The Secretary and the State shall enter into an agreement relating to the extent to which the State assumes the responsibilities of the Secretary under this subsection.
(4) Limitation on authority of secretary.— 
The Secretary may not assume any greater responsibility than the Secretary is permitted under this title on September 30, 1997, except upon agreement by the Secretary and the State.
(d) Responsibilities of the Secretary.— 
Nothing in this section, section 133, or section 149 shall affect or discharge any responsibility or obligation of the Secretary under
(1) section 113 or 114; or
(2) any Federal law other than this title (including section 5333 of title 49).
(e) Value Engineering Analysis.— 

(1) Definition of value engineering analysis.— 

(A) In general.— 
In this subsection, the term value engineering analysis means a systematic process of review and analysis of a project, during the concept and design phases, by a multidisciplined team of persons not involved in the project, that is conducted to provide recommendations such as those described in subparagraph (B) for
(i) providing the needed functions safely, reliably, and at the lowest overall cost;
(ii) improving the value and quality of the project; and
(iii) reducing the time to complete the project.
(B) Inclusions.— 
The recommendations referred to in subparagraph (A) include, with respect to a project
(i) combining or eliminating otherwise inefficient use of costly parts of the original proposed design for the project; and
(ii) completely redesigning the project using different technologies, materials, or methods so as to accomplish the original purpose of the project.
(2) Analysis.— 
The State shall provide a value engineering analysis or other cost-reduction analysis for
(A) each project on the Federal-aid system with an estimated total cost of $25,000,000 or more;
(B) a bridge project with an estimated total cost of $20,000,000 or more; and
(C) any other project the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(3) Major projects.— 
The Secretary may require more than 1 analysis described in paragraph (2) for a major project described in subsection (h).
(4) Requirements.— 
Analyses described in paragraph (1) for a bridge project shall
(A) include bridge substructure requirements based on construction material; and
(B) be evaluated
(i) on engineering and economic bases, taking into consideration acceptable designs for bridges; and
(ii) using an analysis of life-cycle costs and duration of project construction.
(f) Life-Cycle Cost Analysis.— 

(1) Use of life-cycle cost analysis.— 
The Secretary shall develop recommendations for the States to conduct life-cycle cost analyses. The recommendations shall be based on the principles contained in section 2 of Executive Order No. 12893 and shall be developed in consultation with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. The Secretary shall not require a State to conduct a life-cycle cost analysis for any project as a result of the recommendations required under this subsection.
(2) Life-cycle cost analysis defined.— 
In this subsection, the term life-cycle cost analysis means a process for evaluating the total economic worth of a usable project segment by analyzing initial costs and discounted future costs, such as maintenance, user costs, reconstruction, rehabilitation, restoring, and resurfacing costs, over the life of the project segment.
(g) Oversight Program.— 

(1) Establishment.— 

(A) In general.— 
The Secretary shall establish an oversight program to monitor the effective and efficient use of funds authorized to carry out this title.
(B) Minimum requirement.— 
At a minimum, the program shall be responsive to all areas relating to financial integrity and project delivery.
(2) Financial integrity.— 

(A) Financial management systems.— 
The Secretary shall perform annual reviews that address elements of the State transportation departments financial management systems that affect projects approved under subsection (a).
(B) Project costs.— 
The Secretary shall develop minimum standards for estimating project costs and shall periodically evaluate the practices of States for estimating project costs, awarding contracts, and reducing project costs.
(3) Project delivery.— 
The Secretary shall perform annual reviews that address elements of the project delivery system of a State, which elements include one or more activities that are involved in the life cycle of a project from conception to completion of the project.
(4) Responsibility of the states.— 

(A) In general.— 
The States shall be responsible for determining that subrecipients of Federal funds under this title have
(i) adequate project delivery systems for projects approved under this section; and
(ii) sufficient accounting controls to properly manage such Federal funds.
(B) Periodic review.— 
The Secretary shall periodically review the monitoring of subrecipients by the States.
(5) Specific oversight responsibilities.— 

(A) Effect of section.— 
Nothing in this section shall affect or discharge any oversight responsibility of the Secretary specifically provided for under this title or other Federal law.
(B) Appalachian development highways.— 
The Secretary shall retain full oversight responsibilities for the design and construction of all Appalachian development highways under section 14501 of title 40.
(h) Major Projects.— 

(1) In general.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a recipient of Federal financial assistance for a project under this title with an estimated total cost of $500,000,000 or more, and recipients for such other projects as may be identified by the Secretary, shall submit to the Secretary for each project
(A) a project management plan; and
(B) an annual financial plan.
(2) Project management plan.— 
A project management plan shall document
(A) the procedures and processes that are in effect to provide timely information to the project decisionmakers to effectively manage the scope, costs, schedules, and quality of, and the Federal requirements applicable to, the project; and
(B) the role of the agency leadership and management team in the delivery of the project.
(3) Financial plan.— 
A financial plan shall
(A) be based on detailed estimates of the cost to complete the project; and
(B) provide for the annual submission of updates to the Secretary that are based on reasonable assumptions, as determined by the Secretary, of future increases in the cost to complete the project.
(i) Other Projects.— 
A recipient of Federal financial assistance for a project under this title with an estimated total cost of $100,000,000 or more that is not covered by subsection (h) shall prepare an annual financial plan. Annual financial plans prepared under this subsection shall be made available to the Secretary for review upon the request of the Secretary.

23 USC 107 - Acquisition of rights-of-way - Interstate System

(a) In any case in which the Secretary is requested by a State to acquire lands or interests in lands (including within the term interests in lands, the control of access thereto from adjoining lands) required by such State for right-of-way or other purposes in connection with the prosecution of any project for the construction, reconstruction, or improvement of any section of the Interstate System, the Secretary is authorized, in the name of the United States and prior to the approval of title by the Attorney General, to acquire, enter upon, and take possession of such lands or interests in lands by purchase, donation, condemnation, or otherwise in accordance with the laws of the United States (including sections 3114 to 3116 and 3118 of title 40), if
(1) the Secretary has determined either that the State is unable to acquire necessary lands or interests in lands, or is unable to acquire such lands or interests in lands with sufficient promptness; and
(2) the State has agreed with the Secretary to pay, at such time as may be specified by the Secretary an amount equal to 10 per centum of the costs incurred by the Secretary, in acquiring such lands or interests in lands, or such lesser percentage which represents the States pro rata share of project costs as determined in accordance with subsection (c) 1 of section 120 of this title. The authority granted by this section shall also apply to lands and interests in lands received as grants of land from the United States and owned or held by railroads or other corporations.
(b) The costs incurred by the Secretary in acquiring any such lands or interests in lands may include the cost of examination and abstract of title, certificate of title, advertising, and any fees incidental to such acquisition. All costs incurred by the Secretary in connection with the acquisition of any such lands or interests in lands shall be paid from the funds for construction, reconstruction, or improvement of the Interstate System apportioned to the State upon the request of which such lands or interests in lands are acquired, and any sums paid to the Secretary by such State as its share of the costs of acquisition of such lands or interests in lands shall be deposited in the Treasury to the credit of the appropriation for Federal-aid highways and shall be credited to the amount apportioned to such State as its apportionment of funds for construction, reconstruction, or improvement of the Interstate System, or shall be deducted from other moneys due the State for reimbursement from funds authorized to be appropriated under section 108(b) of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956.
(c) The Secretary is further authorized and directed by proper deed, executed in the name of the United States, to convey any such lands or interests in lands acquired in any State under the provisions of this section, except the outside five feet of any such right-of-way in any State which does not provide control of access, to the State transportation department of such State or such political subdivision thereof as its laws may provide, upon such terms and conditions as to such lands or interests in lands as may be agreed upon by the Secretary and the State transportation department or political subdivisions to which the conveyance is to be made. Whenever the State makes provision for control of access satisfactory to the Secretary, the outside five feet then shall be conveyed to the State by the Secretary, as herein provided.
(d) Whenever rights-of-way, including control of access, on the Interstate System are required over lands or interests in lands owned by the United States, the Secretary may make such arrangements with the agency having jurisdiction over such lands as may be necessary to give the State or other person constructing the projects on such lands adequate rights-of-way and control of access thereto from adjoining lands, and any such agency is directed to cooperate with the Secretary in this connection.
[1] See References in Text note below.

23 USC 108 - Advance acquisition of real property

(a) In General.— 

(1) Availability of funds.— 
For the purpose of facilitating the timely and economical acquisition of real property for a transportation improvement eligible for funding under this title, the Secretary, upon the request of a State, may make available, for the acquisition of real property, such funds apportioned to the State as may be expended on the transportation improvement, under such rules and regulations as the Secretary may issue.
(2) Construction.— 
The agreement between the Secretary and the State for the reimbursement of the cost of the real property shall provide for the actual construction of the transportation improvement within a period not to exceed 20 years following the fiscal year for which the request is made, unless the Secretary determines that a longer period is reasonable.
(b) Federal participation in the cost of rights-of-way acquired under subsection (a) of this section shall not exceed the Federal pro rata share applicable to the class of funds from which Federal reimbursement is made.
(c) Early Acquisition of Rights-of-Way.— 

(1) General rule.— 
Subject to paragraph (2), funds apportioned to a State under this title may be used to participate in the payment of
(A) costs incurred by the State for acquisition of rights-of-way, acquired in advance of any Federal approval or authorization, if the rights-of-way are subsequently incorporated into a project eligible for surface transportation program funds; and
(B) costs incurred by the State for the acquisition of land necessary to preserve environmental and scenic values.
(2) Terms and conditions.— 
The Federal share payable of the costs described in paragraph (1) shall be eligible for reimbursement out of funds apportioned to a State under this title when the rights-of-way acquired are incorporated into a project eligible for surface transportation program funds, if the State demonstrates to the Secretary and the Secretary finds that
(A) any land acquired, and relocation assistance provided, complied with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970;
(B) the requirements of title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 have been complied with;
(C) the State has a mandatory comprehensive and coordinated land use, environment, and transportation planning process under State law and the acquisition is certified by the Governor as consistent with the State plans before the acquisition;
(D) the acquisition is determined in advance by the Governor to be consistent with the State transportation planning process pursuant to section 135 of this title;
(E) the alternative for which the right-of-way is acquired is selected by the State pursuant to regulations to be issued by the Secretary which provide for the consideration of the environmental impacts of various alternatives;
(F) before the time that the cost incurred by a State is approved for Federal participation, environmental compliance pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act has been completed for the project for which the right-of-way was acquired by the State, and the acquisition has been approved by the Secretary under this Act,[1] and in compliance with section 303 of title 49, section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and all other applicable environmental laws shall be identified by the Secretary in regulations; and
(G) before the time that the cost incurred by a State is approved for Federal participation, both the Secretary and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency have concurred that the property acquired in advance of Federal approval or authorization did not influence the environmental assessment of the project, the decision relative to the need to construct the project, or the selection of the project design or location.
[1] See References in Text note below.

23 USC 109 - Standards

(a) In General.— 
The Secretary shall ensure that the plans and specifications for each proposed highway project under this chapter provide for a facility that will
(1) adequately serve the existing and planned future traffic of the highway in a manner that is conducive to safety, durability, and economy of maintenance; and
(2) be designed and constructed in accordance with criteria best suited to accomplish the objectives described in paragraph (1) and to conform to the particular needs of each locality.
(b) The geometric and construction standards to be adopted for the Interstate System shall be those approved by the Secretary in cooperation with the State transportation departments. Such standards, as applied to each actual construction project, shall be adequate to enable such project to accommodate the types and volumes of traffic anticipated for such project for the twenty-year period commencing on the date of approval by the Secretary, under section 106 of this title, of the plans, specifications, and estimates for actual construction of such project. Such standards shall in all cases provide for at least four lanes of traffic. The right-of-way width of the Interstate System shall be adequate to permit construction of projects on the Interstate System to such standards. The Secretary shall apply such standards uniformly throughout all the States.
(c) Design Criteria for National Highway System.— 

(1) In general.— 
A design for new construction, reconstruction, resurfacing (except for maintenance resurfacing), restoration, or rehabilitation of a highway on the National Highway System (other than a highway also on the Interstate System) may take into account, in addition to the criteria described in subsection (a)
(A) the constructed and natural environment of the area;
(B) the environmental, scenic, aesthetic, historic, community, and preservation impacts of the activity; and
(C) access for other modes of transportation.
(2) Development of criteria.— 
The Secretary, in cooperation with State transportation departments, may develop criteria to implement paragraph (1). In developing criteria under this paragraph, the Secretary shall consider
(A) the results of the committee process of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials as used in adopting and publishing A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, including comments submitted by interested parties as part of such process;
(B) the publication entitled Flexibility in Highway Design of the Federal Highway Administration;
(C) Eight Characteristics of Process to Yield Excellence and the Seven Qualities of Excellence in Transportation Design developed by the conference held during 1998 entitled Thinking Beyond the Pavement National Workshop on Integrating Highway Development with Communities and the Environment while Maintaining Safety and Performance; and
(D) any other material that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(d) On any highway project in which Federal funds hereafter participate, or on any such project constructed since December 20, 1944, the location, form and character of informational, regulatory and warning signs, curb and pavement or other markings, and traffic signals installed or placed by any public authority or other agency, shall be subject to the approval of the State transportation department with the concurrence of the Secretary, who is directed to concur only in such installations as will promote the safe and efficient utilization of the highways.
(e) Installation of Safety Devices.— 

(1) Highway and railroad grade crossings and drawbridges.— 
No funds shall be approved for expenditure on any Federal-aid highway, or highway affected under chapter 2 of this title, unless proper safety protective devices complying with safety standards determined by the Secretary at that time as being adequate shall be installed or be in operation at any highway and railroad grade crossing or drawbridge on that portion of the highway with respect to which such expenditures are to be made.
(2) Temporary traffic control devices.— 
No funds shall be approved for expenditure on any Federal-aid highway, or highway affected under chapter 2, unless proper temporary traffic control devices to improve safety in work zones will be installed and maintained during construction, utility, and maintenance operations on that portion of the highway with respect to which such expenditures are to be made. Installation and maintenance of the devices shall be in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
(f) The Secretary shall not, as a condition precedent to his approval under section 106 of this title, require any State to acquire title to, or control of, any marginal land along the proposed highway in addition to that reasonably necessary for road surfaces, median strips, bikeways, gutters, ditches, and side slopes, and of sufficient width to provide service roads for adjacent property to permit safe access at controlled locations in order to expedite traffic, promote safety, and minimize roadside parking.
(g) Not later than January 30, 1971, the Secretary shall issue guidelines for minimizing possible soil erosion from highway construction. Such guidelines shall apply to all proposed projects with respect to which plans, specifications, and estimates are approved by the Secretary after the issuance of such guidelines.
(h) Not later than July 1, 1972, the Secretary, after consultation with appropriate Federal and State officials, shall submit to Congress, and not later than 90 days after such submission, promulgate guidelines designed to assure that possible adverse economic, social, and environmental effects relating to any proposed project on any Federal-aid system have been fully considered in developing such project, and that the final decisions on the project are made in the best overall public interest, taking into consideration the need for fast, safe and efficient transportation, public services, and the costs of eliminating or minimizing such adverse effects and the following:
(1) air, noise, and water pollution;
(2) destruction or disruption of man-made and natural resources, aesthetic values, community cohesion and the availability of public facilities and services;
(3) adverse employment effects, and tax and property value losses;
(4) injurious displacement of people, businesses and farms; and
(5) disruption of desirable community and regional growth.

Such guidelines shall apply to all proposed projects with respect to which plans, specifications, and estimates are approved by the Secretary after the issuance of such guidelines.

(i) The Secretary, after consultation with appropriate Federal, State, and local officials, shall develop and promulgate standards for highway noise levels compatible with different land uses and after July 1, 1972, shall not approve plans and specifications for any proposed project on any Federal-aid system for which location approval has not yet been secured unless he determines that such plans and specifications include adequate measures to implement the appropriate noise level standards. The Secretary, after consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and appropriate Federal, State, and local officials, may promulgate standards for the control of highway noise levels for highways on any Federal-aid system for which project approval has been secured prior to July 1, 1972. The Secretary may approve any project on a Federal-aid system to which noise-level standards are made applicable under the preceding sentence for the purpose of carrying out such standards. Such project may include, but is not limited to, the acquisition of additional rights-of-way, the construction of physical barriers, and landscaping. Sums apportioned for the Federal-aid system on which such project will be located shall be available to finance the Federal share of such project. Such project shall be deemed a highway project for all purposes of this title.
(j) The Secretary, after consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall develop and promulgate guidelines to assure that highways constructed pursuant to this title are consistent with any approved plan for
(1) the implementation of a national ambient air quality standard for each pollutant for which an area is designated as a nonattainment area under section 107(d) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7407 (d)); or
(2) the maintenance of a national ambient air quality standard in an area that was designated as a nonattainment area but that was later redesignated by the Administrator as an attainment area for the standard and that is required to develop a maintenance plan under section 175A of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7505a).
(k) The Secretary shall not approve any project involving approaches to a bridge under this title, if such project and bridge will significantly affect the traffic volume and the highway system of a contiguous State without first taking into full consideration the views of that State.
(l) 
(1) In determining whether any right-of-way on any Federal-aid highway should be used for accommodating any utility facility, the Secretary shall
(A) first ascertain the effect such use will have on highway and traffic safety, since in no case shall any use be authorized or otherwise permitted, under this or any other provision of law, which would adversely affect safety;
(B) evaluate the direct and indirect environmental and economic effects of any loss of productive agricultural land or any impairment of the productivity of any agricultural land which would result from the disapproval of the use of such right-of-way for the accommodation of such utility facility; and
(C) consider such environmental and economic effects together with any interference with or impairment of the use of the highway in such right-of-way which would result from the use of such right-of-way for the accommodation of such utility facility.
(2) For the purpose of this subsection
(A) the term utility facility means any privately, publicly, or cooperatively owned line, facility, or system for producing, transmitting, or distributing communications, power, electricity, light, heat, gas, oil, crude products, water, steam, waste, storm water not connected with highway drainage, or any other similar commodity, including any fire or police signal system or street lighting system, which directly or indirectly serves the public; and
(B) the term right-of-way means any real property, or interest therein, acquired, dedicated, or reserved for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a highway.
(m) Protection of Nonmotorized Transportation Traffic.— 
The Secretary shall not approve any project or take any regulatory action under this title that will result in the severance of an existing major route or have significant adverse impact on the safety for nonmotorized transportation traffic and light motorcycles, unless such project or regulatory action provides for a reasonable alternate route or such a route exists.
(n) It is the intent of Congress that any project for resurfacing, restoring, or rehabilitating any highway, other than a highway access to which is fully controlled, in which Federal funds participate shall be constructed in accordance with standards to preserve and extend the service life of highways and enhance highway safety.
(o) Compliance With State Laws for Non-NHS Projects.— 
Projects (other than highway projects on the National Highway System) shall be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained in accordance with State laws, regulations, directives, safety standards, design standards, and construction standards.
(p) Scenic and Historic Values.— 
Notwithstanding subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary may approve a project for the National Highway System if the project is designed to
(1) allow for the preservation of environmental, scenic, or historic values;
(2) ensure safe use of the facility; and
(3) comply with subsection (a).
(q) Phase Construction.— 
Safety considerations for a project under this title may be met by phase construction consistent with the operative safety management system established in accordance with section 303 or in accordance with a statewide transportation improvement program approved by the Secretary.

23 USC 110 - Revenue aligned budget authority

(a) In General.— 

(1) Allocation.— 
On October 15 of fiscal year 2007 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary shall allocate for such fiscal year and the succeeding fiscal year an amount of funds equal to the amount determined pursuant to section 251(b)(1)(B)(ii)(I)(cc) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C 901(b)(2)(B)(ii)(I)(cc))[1] if the amount determined pursuant to such section for such fiscal year is greater than zero.
(2) Reduction.— 
If the amount determined pursuant to section 251(b)(1)(B)(ii)(I)(cc) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C 901(b)(2)(B)(ii)(I)(cc))[1] for fiscal year 2007 or any fiscal year thereafter is less than zero, the Secretary on October 15 of such fiscal year shall reduce proportionately the amount of sums authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for such fiscal year and the succeeding fiscal year to carry out each of the Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs (other than emergency relief) and the motor carrier safety grant program by an aggregate amount equal to the amount determined pursuant to such section. No reduction under this paragraph and no reduction under section 1102 (h), and no reduction under title VIII or any amendment made by title VIII, of the SAFETEALU shall be made for a fiscal year if, as of October 1 of such fiscal year the balance in the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) exceeds $6,000,000,000.
(b) General Distribution.— 
The Secretary shall
(1) determine the ratio that
(A) the sums authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) for each of the Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs (other than the equity bonus program) and the motor carrier safety grant program for which funds are allocated from such Trust Fund by the Secretary under this title, the SAFETEALU, and subchapter I of chapter 311 of title 49 for a fiscal year, bears to
(B) the total of all sums authorized to be appropriated from such Trust Fund for such programs for such fiscal year;
(2) multiply the ratio determined under paragraph (1) by the total amount of funds to be allocated under subsection (a)(1) for such fiscal year;
(3) allocate the amount determined under paragraph (2) among such programs in the ratio that
(A) the sums authorized to be appropriated from such Trust Fund for each of such programs for such fiscal year, bears to
(B) the sums authorized to be appropriated from such Trust Fund for all such programs for such fiscal year; and
(4) allocate the remainder of the funds to be allocated under subsection (a)(1) for such fiscal year to the States in the ratio that
(A) the total of all funds authorized to be appropriated from such Trust Fund for Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs that are apportioned to each State for such fiscal year but for this section, bears to
(B) the total of all funds authorized to be appropriated from such Trust Fund for such programs that are apportioned to all States for such fiscal year but for this section.
(c) State Programmatic Distribution.— 
Of the funds to be apportioned to each State under subsection (b)(4) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall ensure that such funds are apportioned for the Interstate and National Highway System program, the bridge program, the surface transportation program, the highway safety improvement program, and the congestion mitigation air quality improvement program in the same ratio that each State is apportioned funds for such programs for such fiscal year but for this section.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.— 
There are authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1998.
(e) After making any calculation necessary to implement this section for fiscal year 2001, the amount available under paragraph (a)(1) shall be increased by $128,752,000. The amounts added under this subsection shall not apply to any calculation in any other fiscal year.
(f) For fiscal year 2001, prior to making any distribution under this section, $22,029,000 of the allocation under paragraph (a)(1) shall be available only for each program authorized under chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, and title III of Public Law 105178, in proportion to each such programs share of the total authorization in section 5338 (other than 5338(h)) of such title and sections 3037 and 3038 of such Public Law, under the terms and conditions of chapter 53 of such title.
(g) For fiscal year 2001, prior to making any distribution under this section, $399,000 of the allocation under paragraph (a)(1) shall be available only for motor carrier safety programs under sections 31104 and 31107 of title 49, United States Code; $274,000 for NHTSA operations and research under section 403 of title 23, United States Code; and $787,000 for NHTSA highway traffic safety grants under chapter 4 of title 23, United States Code.
[1] So in original. Probably should be “(2 U.S.C. 901 (b)(1)(B)(ii)(I)(cc))”.

23 USC 111 - Agreements relating to use of and access to rights-of-way - Interstate System

(a) In General.— 
All agreements between the Secretary and the State transportation department for the construction of projects on the Interstate System shall contain a clause providing that the State will not add any points of access to, or exit from, the project in addition to those approved by the Secretary in the plans for such project, without the prior approval of the Secretary. Such agreements shall also contain a clause providing that the State will not permit automotive service stations or other commercial establishments for serving motor vehicle users to be constructed or located on the rights-of-way of the Interstate System. Such agreements may, however, authorize a State or political subdivision thereof to use or permit the use of the airspace above and below the established grade line of the highway pavement for such purposes as will not impair the full use and safety of the highway, as will not require or permit vehicular access to such space directly from such established grade line of the highway, or otherwise interfere in any way with the free flow of traffic on the Interstate System. Nothing in this section, or in any agreement entered into under this section, shall require the discontinuance, obstruction, or removal of any establishment for serving motor vehicle users on any highway which has been, or is hereafter, designated as a highway or route on the Interstate System
(1)  if such establishment
(A)  was in existence before January 1, 1960,
(B)  is owned by a State, and
(C)  is operated through concessionaries or otherwise, and
(2)  if all access to, and exits from, such establishment conform to the standards established for such a highway under this title.
(b) Vending Machines.— 
Notwithstanding subsection (a), any State may permit the placement of vending machines in rest and recreation areas, and in safety rest areas, constructed or located on rights-of-way of the Interstate System in such State. Such vending machines may only dispense such food, drink, and other articles as the State transportation department determines are appropriate and desirable. Such vending machines may only be operated by the State. In permitting the placement of vending machines, the State shall give priority to vending machines which are operated through the State licensing agency designated pursuant to section 2(a)(5) of the Act of June 20, 1936, commonly known as the Randolph-Sheppard Act (20 U.S.C. 107a (a)(5)). The costs of installation, operation, and maintenance of vending machines shall not be eligible for Federal assistance under this title.
(c) Motorist Call Boxes.— 

(1) In general.— 
Notwithstanding subsection (a), a State may permit the placement of motorist call boxes on rights-of-way of the National Highway System. Such motorist call boxes may include the identification and sponsorship logos of such call boxes.
(2) Sponsorship logos.— 

(A) Approval by state and local agencies.— 
All call box installations displaying sponsorship logos under this subsection shall be approved by the highway agencies having jurisdiction of the highway on which they are located.
(B) Size on box.— 
A sponsorship logo may be placed on the call box in a dimension not to exceed the size of the call box or a total dimension in excess of 12 inches by 18 inches.
(C) Size on identification sign.— 
Sponsorship logos in a dimension not to exceed 12 inches by 30 inches may be displayed on a call box identification sign affixed to the call box post.
(D) Spacing of signs.— 
Sponsorship logos affixed to an identification sign on a call box post may be located on the rights-of-way at intervals not more frequently than 1 per every 5 miles.
(E) Distribution throughout state.— 
Within a State, at least 20 percent of the call boxes displaying sponsorship logos shall be located on highways outside of urbanized areas with a population greater than 50,000.
(3) Nonsafety hazards.— 
The call boxes and their location, posts, foundations, and mountings shall be consistent with requirements of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices or any requirements deemed necessary by the Secretary to assure that the call boxes shall not be a safety hazard to motorists.
(d) Idling Reduction Facilities in Interstate Rights-of-Way.— 

(1) In general.— 
Notwithstanding subsection (a), a State may
(A) permit electrification or other idling reduction facilities and equipment, for use by motor vehicles used for commercial purposes, to be placed in rest and recreation areas, and in safety rest areas, constructed or located on rights-of-way of the Interstate System in the State, so long as those idling reduction measures do not reduce the existing number of designated truck parking spaces at any given rest or recreation area; and
(B) charge a fee, or permit the charging of a fee, for the use of those parking spaces actively providing power to a truck to reduce idling.
(2) Purpose.— 
The exclusive purpose of the facilities described in paragraph (1) (or similar technologies) shall be to enable operators of motor vehicles used for commercial purposes
(A) to reduce idling of a truck while parked in the rest or recreation area; and
(B) to use installed or other equipment specifically designed to reduce idling of a truck, or provide alternative power for supporting driver comfort, while parked.

23 USC 112 - Letting of contracts

(a) In all cases where the construction is to be performed by the State transportation department or under its supervision, a request for submission of bids shall be made by advertisement unless some other method is approved by the Secretary. The Secretary shall require such plans and specifications and such methods of bidding as shall be effective in securing competition.
(b) Bidding Requirements.— 

(1) In general.— 
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), construction of each project, subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, shall be performed by contract awarded by competitive bidding, unless the State transportation department demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that some other method is more cost effective or that an emergency exists. Contracts for the construction of each project shall be awarded only on the basis of the lowest responsive bid submitted by a bidder meeting established criteria of responsibility. No requirement or obligation shall be imposed as a condition precedent to the award of a contract to such bidder for a project, or to the Secretarys concurrence in the award of a contract to such bidder, unless such requirement or obligation is otherwise lawful and is specifically set forth in the advertised specifications.
(2) Contracting for engineering and design services.— 

(A) General rule.— 
Subject to paragraph (3), each contract for program management, construction management, feasibility studies, preliminary engineering, design, engineering, surveying, mapping, or architectural related services with respect to a project subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be awarded in the same manner as a contract for architectural and engineering services is negotiated under chapter 11 of title 40.
(B) Performance and audits.— 
Any contract or subcontract awarded in accordance with subparagraph (A), whether funded in whole or in part with Federal-aid highway funds, shall be performed and audited in compliance with cost principles contained in the Federal Acquisition Regulations of part 31 of title 48, Code of Federal Regulations.
(C) Indirect cost rates.— 
Instead of performing its own audits, a recipient of funds under a contract or subcontract awarded in accordance with subparagraph (A) shall accept indirect cost rates established in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations for 1-year applicable accounting periods by a cognizant Federal or State government agency, if such rates are not currently under dispute.
(D) Application of rates.— 
Once a firms indirect cost rates are accepted under this paragraph, the recipient of the funds shall apply such rates for the purposes of contract estimation, negotiation, administration, reporting, and contract payment and shall not be limited by administrative or de facto ceilings of any kind.
(E) Prenotification; confidentiality of data.— 
A recipient of funds requesting or using the cost and rate data described in subparagraph (D) shall notify any affected firm before such request or use. Such data shall be confidential and shall not be accessible or provided, in whole or in part, to another firm or to any government agency which is not part of the group of agencies sharing cost data under this paragraph, except by written permission of the audited firm. If prohibited by law, such cost and rate data shall not be disclosed under any circumstances.
(F) [1] Subparagraphs (B), (C), (D) and (E) herein shall not apply to the States of West Virginia or Minnesota.
(3) Design-build contracting.— 

(A) In general.— 
A State transportation department or local transportation agency may award a design-build contract for a qualified project described in subparagraph (C) using any procurement process permitted by applicable State and local law.
(B) Limitation on final design.— 
Final design under a design-build contract referred to in subparagraph (A) shall not commence before compliance with section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332).
(C) Qualified projects.— 
A qualified project referred to in subparagraph (A) is a project under this chapter (including intermodal projects) for which the Secretary has approved the use of design-build contracting under criteria specified in regulations issued by the Secretary.
(D) Regulatory process.— 
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the SAFETEALU, the Secretary shall issue revised regulations under section 1307(c) of the Transportation Equity Act for 21st Century (23 U.S.C. 112 note ; 112 Stat. 230) that
(i) do not preclude a State transportation department or local transportation agency, prior to compliance with section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332), from
(I) issuing requests for proposals;
(II) proceeding with awards of design-build contracts; or
(III) issuing notices to proceed with preliminary design work under design-build contracts;
(ii) require that the State transportation department or local transportation agency receive concurrence from the Secretary before carrying out an activity under clause (i); and
(iii) preclude the design-build contractor from proceeding with final design or construction of any permanent improvement prior to completion of the process under such section 102.
(E) Design-build contract defined.— 
In this paragraph, the term design-build contract means an agreement that provides for design and construction of a project by a contractor, regardless of whether the agreement is in the form of a design-build contract, a franchise agreement, or any other form of contract approved by the Secretary.
(c) The Secretary shall require as a condition precedent to his approval of each contract awarded by competitive bidding pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and subject to the provisions of this section, a sworn statement, executed by, or on behalf of, the person, firm, association, or corporation to whom such contract is to be awarded, certifying that such person, firm, association, or corporation has not, either directly or indirectly, entered into any agreement, participated in any collusion, or otherwise taken any action in restraint of free competitive bidding in connection with such contract.
(d) No contract awarded by competitive bidding pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and subject to the provisions of this section, shall be entered into by any State transportation department or local subdivision of the State without compliance with the provisions of this section, and without the prior concurrence of the Secretary in the award thereof.
(e) Standardized Contract Clause Concerning Site Conditions.— 

(1) General rule.— 
The Secretary shall issue regulations establishing and requiring, for inclusion in each contract entered into with respect to any project approved under section 106 of this title a contract clause, developed in accordance with guidelines established by the Secretary, which equitably addresses each of the following:
(A) Site conditions.
(B) Suspensions of work ordered by the State (other than a suspension of work caused by the fault of the contractor or by weather).
(C) Material changes in the scope of work specified in the contract.

The guidelines established by the Secretary shall not require arbitration.

(2) Limitation on applicability.— 

(A) State law.— 
Paragraph (1) shall apply in a State except to the extent that such State adopts or has adopted by statute a formal procedure for the development of a contract clause described in paragraph (1) or adopts or has adopted a statute which does not permit inclusion of such a contract clause.
(B) Design-build contracts.— 
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any design-build contract approved under subsection (b)(3).
(f) Selection Process.— 
A State may procure, under a single contract, the services of a consultant to prepare any environmental impact assessments or analyses required for a project, including environmental impact statements, as well as subsequent engineering and design work on the project if the State conducts a review that assesses the objectivity of the environmental assessment, environmental analysis, or environmental impact statement prior to its submission to the Secretary.
(g) Temporary Traffic Control Devices.— 

(1) Issuance of regulations.— 
The Secretary, after consultation with appropriate Federal and State officials, shall issue regulations establishing the conditions for the appropriate use of, and expenditure of funds for, uniformed law enforcement officers, positive protective measures between workers and motorized traffic, and installation and maintenance of temporary traffic control devices during construction, utility, and maintenance operations.
(2) Effects of regulations.— 
Based on regulations issued under paragraph (1), a State shall
(A) develop separate pay items for the use of uniformed law enforcement officers, positive protective measures between workers and motorized traffic, and installation and maintenance of temporary traffic control devices during construction, utility, and maintenance operations; and
(B) incorporate such pay items into contract provisions to be included in each contract entered into by the State with respect to a highway project to ensure compliance with section 109 (e)(2).
(3) Limitation.— 
Nothing in the regulations shall prohibit a State from implementing standards that are more stringent than those required under the regulations.
(4) Positive protective measures defined.— 
In this subsection, the term positive protective measures means temporary traffic barriers, crash cushions, and other strategies to avoid traffic accidents in work zones, including full road closures.
[1] So in original.

23 USC 113 - Prevailing rate of wage

(a) The Secretary shall take such action as may be necessary to insure that all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors on the construction work performed on highway projects on the Federal-aid highways authorized under the highway laws providing for the expenditure of Federal funds upon the Federal-aid systems, shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on the same type of work on similar construction in the immediate locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with sections 3141–3144, 3146, and 3147 of title 40.
(b) In carrying out the duties of subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of Labor shall consult with the highway department of the State in which a project on any of the Federal-aid systems is to be performed. After giving due regard to the information thus obtained, he shall make a predetermination of the minimum wages to be paid laborers and mechanics in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section which shall be set out in each project advertisement for bids and in each bid proposal form and shall be made a part of the contract covering the project.
(c) The provisions of the section shall not be applicable to employment pursuant to apprenticeship and skill training programs which have been certified by the Secretary of Transportation as promoting equal employment opportunity in connection with Federal-aid highway construction programs.

23 USC 114 - Construction

(a) Construction Work In General.— 
The construction of any Federal-aid highway or a portion of a Federal-aid highway shall be undertaken by the respective State transportation departments or under their direct supervision. The Secretary shall have the right to conduct such inspections and take such corrective action as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. The construction work and labor in each State shall be performed under the direct supervision of the State transportation department and in accordance with the laws of that State and applicable Federal laws. Construction may be begun as soon as funds are available for expenditure pursuant to subsection (a) of section 118 of this title. After July 1, 1973, the State transportation 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.
(b) Convict Labor and Convict Produced Materials.— 

(1) Limitation on convict labor.— 
Convict labor shall not be used in construction of highways or portions of highways located on a Federal-aid system unless it is labor performed by convicts who are on parole, supervised release, or probation.
(2) Limitation on convict produced materials.— 
Materials produced after July 1, 1991, by convict labor may only be used in such construction
(A) if such materials are produced by convicts who are on parole, supervised release, or probation from a prison; or
(B) if such materials are produced by convicts in a qualified prison facility and the amount of such materials produced in such facility for use in such construction during any 12-month period does not exceed the amount of such materials produced in such facility for use in such construction during the 12-month period ending July 1, 1987.
(3) Qualified prison facility defined.— 
As used in this subsection, qualified prison facility means any prison facility in which convicts, during the 12-month period ending July 1, 1987, produced materials for use in construction of highways or portions of highways located on a Federal-aid system.
(c) Construction Work in Alaska.— 

(1) In general.— 
The Secretary shall ensure that a worker who is employed on a remote project for the construction of a highway or portion of a highway located on a Federal-aid system in the State of Alaska and who is not a domiciled resident of the locality shall receive meals and lodging.
(2) Lodging.— 
The lodging under paragraph (1) shall be in accordance with section 1910.142 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to temporary labor camp requirements).
(3) Per diem.— 

(A) In general.— 
Contractors are encouraged to use commercial facilities and lodges on remote projects, however, when such facilities are not available, per diem in lieu of room and lodging may be paid on remote Federal highway projects at a basic rate of $75.00 per day or part of a day the worker is employed on the project. Where the contractor provides or furnishes room and lodging or pays a per diem, the cost of the amount shall not be considered a part of wages and shall be excluded from the calculation of wages.
(B) Secretary of labor.— 
Such per diem rate shall be adopted by the Secretary of Labor for all applicable remote Federal highway projects in Alaska.
(C) Exception.— 
Per diem shall not be allowed on any of the following remote projects for the construction of a highway or portion of a highway located on a Federal-aid system:
(i) West of Livengood on the Elliot Highway.
(ii) Mile 0 on the Dalton Highway to the North Slope of Alaska; north of Mile 20 on the Taylor Highway.
(iii) East of Chicken on the Top of the World Highway and south of Tetlin Junction to the Alaska Canadian border.
(4) Definitions.— 
In this subsection, the following definitions apply:
(A) Remote.— 
The term remote, as used with respect to a project, means that the project is 65 road miles or more from the international airport in Fairbanks, Anchorage, or Juneau, Alaska, as the case may be, or is inaccessible by road in a 2-wheel drive vehicle.
(B) Resident.— 
The term resident, as used with respect to a project, means a person living within 65 road miles of the midpoint of the project for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the award of the project.

23 USC 115 - Advance construction

(a) In General.— 
The Secretary may authorize a State to proceed with a project authorized under this title
(1) without the use of Federal funds; and
(2) in accordance with all procedures and requirements applicable to the project other than those procedures and requirements that limit the State to implementation of a project
(A) with the aid of Federal funds previously apportioned or allocated to the State; or
(B) with obligation authority previously allocated to the State.
(b) Obligation of Federal Share.— 
The Secretary, on the request of a State and execution of a project agreement, may obligate all or a portion of the Federal share of a project authorized to proceed under this section from any category of funds for which the project is eligible.
[(c) Redesignated (d).]
(d) Inclusion in Transportation Improvement Program.— 
The Secretary may approve an application for a project under this section only if the project is included in the transportation improvement program of the State developed under section 135 (f).

23 USC 116 - Maintenance

(a) It shall be the duty of the State transportation department to maintain, or cause to be maintained, any project constructed under the provisions of this chapter or constructed under the provisions of prior Acts. The States obligation to the United States to maintain any such project shall cease when it no longer constitutes a part of a Federal-aid system.
(b) In any State wherein the State transportation department is without legal authority to maintain a project constructed on the Federal-aid secondary system, or within a municipality, such transportation department shall enter into a formal agreement for its maintenance with the appropriate officials of the county or municipality in which such project is located.
(c) If at any time the Secretary shall find that any project constructed under the provisions of this chapter, or constructed under the provisions of prior Acts, is not being properly maintained, he shall call such fact to the attention of the State transportation department. If, within ninety days after receipt of such notice, such project has not been put in proper condition of maintenance, the Secretary shall withhold approval of further projects of all types in the State highway district, municipality, county, other political or administrative subdivision of the State, or the entire State in which such project is located, whichever the Secretary deems most appropriate, until such project shall have been put in proper condition of maintenance.
(d) Preventive Maintenance.— 
A preventive maintenance activity shall be eligible for Federal assistance under this title if the State demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the activity is a cost-effective means of extending the useful life of a Federal-aid highway.

23 USC 117 - High priority projects program

(a) Authorization of High Priority Projects.— 

(1) In general.— 
The Secretary is authorized to carry out high priority projects with funds made available to carry out the high priority projects program under this section.
(2) Availability of funds.— 

(A) For tea–21.— 
Of amounts made available to carry out this section for fiscal years 1998 through 2003, the Secretary, subject to subsection (b), shall make available to carry out each project described in section 1602 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century the amount listed for such project in such section.
(B) For safetea–lu.— 
Of amounts made available to carry out this section for fiscal years 2005 through 2009, the Secretary, subject to subsection (b), shall make available to carry out each project described in section 1702 of the SAFETEALU the amount listed for such project in such section.
(3) Availability of unallocated funds.— 
Any amounts made available to carry out such program that are not allocated for projects described in such section shall be available to the Secretary, subject to subsection (b), to carry out such other high priority projects as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(b) For TEA–21.— 
For each project to be carried out with funds made available to carry out the high priority projects program under this section for fiscal years 1998 through 2003
(1) 11 percent of such amount shall be available for obligation beginning in fiscal year 1998;
(2) 15 percent of such amount shall be available for obligation beginning in fiscal year 1999;
(3) 18 percent of such amount shall be available for obligation beginning in fiscal year 2000;
(4) 18 percent of such amount shall be available for obligation beginning in fiscal year 2001;
(5) 19 percent of such amount shall be available for obligation beginning in fiscal year 2002; and
(6) 19 percent of such amount shall be available for obligation beginning in fiscal year 2003.
(c) [1] For SAFETEALU.For each project to be carried out with funds made available to carry out the high priority projects program under this section for fiscal years 2005 through 2009
(1) 20 percent of such amount shall be available for obligation beginning in fiscal year 2005;
(2) 20 percent of such amount shall be available for obligation beginning in fiscal year 2006;
(3) 20 percent of such amount shall be available for obligation beginning in fiscal year 2007;
(4) 20 percent of such amount shall be available for obligation beginning in fiscal year 2008; and
(5) 20 percent of such amount shall be available for obligation beginning in fiscal year 2009.
(c) [1] Federal Share.The Federal share payable on account of any project carried out with funds made available to carry out this section shall be 80 percent of the total cost thereof; except that the Federal share on account of the project to be carried out under item 1419 of the table contained in section 1602 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (112 Stat. 309), relating to reconstruction of a road and causeway in Shiloh Military Park in Hardin County, Tennessee, shall be 100 percent of the total cost thereof.
(d) Delegation to States.— 
Subject to the provisions of this title, the Secretary shall delegate responsibility for carrying out a project or projects, with funds made available to carry out this section, to the State in which such project or projects are located upon request of such State.
(e) Advance Construction.— 
When a State which has been delegated responsibility for a project under this section
(1) has obligated all funds allocated under this section and section 1602 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century or section 17012 of the SAFETEALU, as the case may be, for such project; and
(2) proceeds to construct such project without the aid of Federal funds in accordance with all procedures and all requirements applicable to such project, except insofar as such procedures and requirements limit the State to the construction of projects with the aid of Federal funds previously allocated to it;

the Secretary, upon the approval of the application of a State, shall pay to the State the Federal share of the cost of construction of the project when additional funds are allocated for such project under this section and such section 1602 or 1702, as the case may be.

(f) Period of Availability.— 
Funds made available to carry out this section shall remain available until expended.
(g) Availability of Obligation Limitation.— 
Obligation authority attributable to funds made available to carry out this section shall only be available for the purposes of this section and shall remain available until obligated pursuant to section 1102(g) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century or section 1102(g) of the SAFETEALU, as the case may be.
(h) Treatment.— 
Funds allocated to a State in accordance with this section shall be treated as amounts in addition to the amounts a State is apportioned under sections 104, 105, and 144 for programmatic purposes.
[1] So in original. Two subsecs. (c) have been enacted.
[2] So in original. Probably should be “1702”.

23 USC 118 - Availability of funds

(a) Date Available for Obligation.— 
Except as otherwise specifically provided, authorizations from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to carry out this title shall be available for obligation on the date of their apportionment or allocation or on October 1 of the fiscal year for which they are authorized, whichever occurs first.
(b) Period of Availability.— 

(1) Interstate construction funds.— 
Funds apportioned or allocated for Interstate construction in a State (other than Massachusetts) shall remain available for obligation in that State until the last day of the fiscal year in which they are apportioned or allocated. Sums not obligated by the last day of the fiscal year in which they are apportioned or allocated shall be allocated to other States, except Massachusetts, at the discretion of the Secretary. All sums apportioned or allocated on or after October 1, 1994, shall remain available in the State until expended. All sums apportioned or allocated to Massachusetts on or after October 1, 1989, shall remain available until expended.
(2) Other funds.— 
Except as otherwise specifically provided, funds apportioned or allocated pursuant to this title (other than for Interstate construction) in a State shall remain available for obligation in that State for a period of 3 years after the last day of the fiscal year for which the funds are authorized. Any amounts so apportioned or allocated that remain unobligated at the end of that period shall lapse.
(c) Set Asides for Interstate Discretionary Projects.— 

(1) In general.— 
Before any apportionment is made under section 104 (b)(4), the Secretary shall set aside $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009 for obligation by the Secretary for projects for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing any route or portion thereof on the Interstate System (other than any highway designated as a part of the Interstate System under section 139 (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century)) and any toll road on the Interstate System not subject to an agreement under section 119 (e) (as in effect on December 17, 1991).
(2) Selection criteria.— 
The amounts set aside under paragraph (1) shall be made available by the Secretary to any State applying for such funds if the Secretary determines that
(A) the State has obligated or demonstrates that it will obligate in the fiscal year all of its apportionments under section 104 (b)(4) other than an amount that, by itself, is insufficient to pay the Federal share of the cost of a project for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing the Interstate System that has been submitted by the State to the Secretary for approval; and
(B) the applicant is willing and able to
(i) obligate the funds within 1 year of the date the funds are made available;
(ii) apply the funds to a ready-to-commence project; and
(iii) in the case of construction work, begin work within 90 days after obligation.
(3) Priority consideration for certain projects.— 
In selecting projects to fund under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give priority consideration to any project the cost of which exceeds $10,000,000 on any high volume route in an urban area or a high truck-volume route in a rural area.
(4) Period of availability of discretionary funds.— 
Sums made available pursuant to this subsection shall remain available until expended.
(d) Obligation and Release of Funds.— 

(1) In general.— 
Funds apportioned or allocated to a State for a purpose for any fiscal year shall be considered to be obligated if a sum equal to the total of the funds apportioned or allocated to the State for that purpose for that fiscal year and previous fiscal years is obligated.
(2) Released funds.— 
Any funds released by the final payment for a project, or by modifying the project agreement for a project, shall be
(A) credited to the same class of funds previously apportioned or allocated to the State for the project; and
(B) immediately available for obligation.
(3) Net obligations.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including a regulation), obligations recorded against funds made available under this subsection shall be recorded and reported as net obligations.
(e) [1] Funds made available to the State of Alaska and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico under this title may be expended for construction of access and development roads that will serve resource development, recreational, residential, commercial, industrial, or other like purposes.
[1] See 1998 Amendment note below.

23 USC 119 - Interstate maintenance program

(a) In General.— 

(1) Projects.— 
The Secretary may approve projects for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating, and reconstructing
(A) routes on the Interstate System designated under section 103 (c)(1) and, in Alaska and Puerto Rico, under section 103 (c)(4)(A);
(B) routes on the Interstate System designated before the date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century under subsections (a) and (b) of section 139 (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of such Act); and
(C) any segments that become part of the Interstate System under section 1105(e)(5) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991.
(2) Toll roads.— 
The Secretary may approve a project pursuant to this subsection on a toll road only if such road is subject to a Secretarial agreement provided for in section 129 or continued in effect by section 1012(d) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 Stat. 1939) and not voided by the Secretary under section 120(c) of the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 (101 Stat. 159).
(3) Funding.— 
Sums authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section shall be out of the Highway Trust Fund and shall be apportioned in accordance with section 104 (b)(4).
(b) Transfer of Interstate Construction Apportionments.— 
Upon application by a State (other than the State of Massachusetts) and approval by the Secretary, the Secretary may transfer to the apportionments to such State under section 104 (b)(1) or 104 (b)(4) any amount of the funds apportioned to such State for any fiscal year under section 104 (b)(5)(A) (as in effect on the date before the date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century) if such amount does not exceed the Federal share of the costs of construction of segments of the Interstate System open to traffic in such State (other than high occupancy vehicle lanes) included in the most recent interstate cost estimate. Upon transfer of such amount, the construction on which such amount is based on open-to-traffic segments of the Interstate System in such State as included in the latest interstate cost estimate shall be ineligible and shall not be included in future interstate cost estimates approved or adjusted under section 104 (b)(5)(A) (as in effect on the date before the date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century).
(c) Transfer of Funds for Surface Transportation Program Projects.— 

(1) Upon certification acceptance.— 
If a State certifies to the Secretary that any part of the sums apportioned to the State under section 104 (b)(4) of this title are in excess of the needs of the State for resurfacing, restoring, or rehabilitating Interstate System routes and the State is adequately maintaining the Interstate System and the Secretary accepts such certification, the State may transfer such excess part to its apportionment under sections 104 (b)(1) and 104 (b)(3).
(2) Unconditional.— 
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a State may transfer to its apportionment under sections 104 (b)(1) and 104 (b)(3) of this title
(A) in fiscal year 1987, an amount not to exceed 20 percent of the funds apportioned to the State under section 104 (b)(4) which are not obligated at the time of the transfer; and
(B) in any fiscal year thereafter, an amount not to exceed 20 percent of the funds apportioned to the State under section 104 (b)(4) for such fiscal year.
(d) Limitation on New Capacity.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the portion of the cost of any project undertaken pursuant to this section that is attributable to the expansion of the capacity of any Interstate highway or bridge, where such new capacity consists of one or more new travel lanes that are not high-occupancy vehicle lanes or auxiliary lanes, shall not be eligible for funding under this section.

23 USC 120 - Federal share payable

(a) Interstate System Projects.— 

(1) In general.— 
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the Federal share payable on account of any project on the Interstate System (including a project to add high occupancy vehicle lanes and a project to add auxiliary lanes but excluding a project to add any other lanes) shall be 90 percent of the total cost thereof, plus a percentage of the remaining 10 percent of such cost in any State containing unappropriated and unreserved public lands and nontaxable Indian lands, individual and tribal, exceeding 5 percent of the total area of all lands therein, equal to the percentage that the area of such lands in such State is of its total area; except that such Federal share payable on any project in any State shall not exceed 95 percent of the total cost of such project.
(2) State-determined lower federal share.— 
In the case of any project subject to paragraph (1), a State may determine a lower Federal share than the Federal share determined under such paragraph.
(b) Other Projects.— 
Except as otherwise provided in this title, the Federal share payable on account of any project or activity carried out under this title (other than a project subject to subsection (a)) shall be
(1) 80 percent of the cost thereof, except that in the case of any State containing nontaxable Indian lands, individual and tribal, and public domain lands (both reserved and unreserved) exclusive of national forests and national parks and monuments, exceeding 5 percent of the total area of all lands therein, the Federal share, for purposes of this chapter, shall be increased by a percentage of the remaining cost equal to the percentage that the area of all such lands in such State, is of its total area; or
(2) 80 percent of the cost thereof, except that in the case of any State containing nontaxable Indian lands, individual and tribal, public domain lands (both reserved and unreserved), national forests, and national parks and monuments, the Federal share, for purposes of this chapter, shall be increased by a percentage of the remaining cost equal to the percentage that the area of all such lands in such State is of its total area;

except that the Federal share payable on any project in a State shall not exceed 95 percent of the total cost of any such project. In any case where a State elects to have the Federal share provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the State must enter into an agreement with the Secretary covering a period of not less than 1 year, requiring such State to use solely for purposes eligible for assistance under this title (other than paying its share of projects approved under this title) during the period covered by such agreement the difference between the States share as provided in paragraph (2) and what its share would be if it elected to pay the share provided in paragraph (1) for all projects subject to such agreement. In the case of any project subject to this subsection, a State may determine a lower Federal share than the Federal share determined under the preceding sentences of this subsection.

(c) Increased Federal Share.— 

(1) Certain safety projects.— 
The Federal share payable on account of any project for traffic control signalization, traffic circles (also known as roundabouts), safety rest areas, pavement marking, commuter carpooling and vanpooling, rail-highway crossing closure, or installation of traffic signs, traffic lights, guardrails, impact attenuators, concrete barrier endtreatments, breakaway utility poles, or priority control systems for emergency vehicles or transit vehicles at signalized intersections may amount to 100 percent of the cost of construction of such projects; except that not more than 10 percent of all sums apportioned for all the Federal-aid systems for any fiscal year in accordance with section 104 of this title shall be used under this subsection. In this subsection, the term safety rest area means an area where motor vehicle operators can park their vehicles and rest, where food, fuel, and lodging services are not available, and that is located on a segment of highway with respect to which the Secretary determines there is a shortage of public and private areas at which motor vehicle operators can park their vehicles and rest.
(2) CMAQ projects.— 
The Federal share payable on account of a project or program carried out under section 149 with funds obligated in fiscal year 2008 or 2009, or both, shall be not less than 80 percent and, at the discretion of the State, may be up to 100 percent of the cost thereof.
(d) The Secretary may rely on a statement from the Secretary of the Interior as to the area of the lands referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized and directed to provide such statement annually.
(e) Emergency Relief.— 
The Federal share payable on account of any repair or reconstruction provided for by funds made available under section 125 of this title on account of any project on a Federal-aid highway, including the Interstate System, shall not exceed the Federal share payable on a project on such highway as provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section; except that
(1)  the Federal share payable for eligible emergency repairs to minimize damage, protect facilities, or restore essential traffic accomplished within 180 days after the actual occurrence of the natural disaster or catastrophic failure may amount to 100 percent of the costs thereof; and
(2)  the Federal share payable on account of any repair or reconstruction of forest highways, forest development roads and trails, park roads and trails, parkways, public lands highways, public lands development roads and trails, and Indian reservation roads may amount to 100 percent of the cost thereof. The total cost of a project may not exceed the cost of repair or reconstruction of a comparable facility. As used in this section with respect to bridges and in section 144 of this title, a comparable facility shall mean a facility which meets the current geometric and construction standards required for the types and volume of traffic which such facility will carry over its design life.
(f) The Secretary is authorized to cooperate with the State transportation departments and with the Department of the Interior in the construction of Federal-aid highways within Indian reservations and national parks and monuments under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior and to pay the amount assumed therefor from the funds apportioned in accordance with section 104 of this title to the State wherein the reservations and national parks and monuments are located.
(g) At the request of any State, the Secretary may from time to time enter into agreements with such State to reimburse the State for the Federal share of the costs of preliminary and construction engineering at an agreed percentage of actual construction costs for each project, in lieu of the actual engineering costs for such project. The Secretary shall annually review each such agreement to insure that such percentage reasonably represents the engineering costs actually incurred by such State.
(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or of this title, the Federal share payable on account of any project under this title in the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands shall be 100 per centum of the total cost of the project.
(i) Increased Non-Federal Share.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this title and subject to such criteria as the Secretary may establish, a State may contribute an amount in excess of the non-Federal share of a project under this title so as to decrease the Federal share payable on such project.
(j) Credit for Non-Federal Share.— 

(1) Eligibility.— 

(A) In general.— 
A State may use as a credit toward the non-Federal share requirement for any funds made available to carry out this title (other than the emergency relief program authorized by section 125 and the Appalachian development highway system program under section 14501 of title 40) or chapter 53 of title 49 toll revenues that are generated and used by public, quasi-public, and private agencies to build, improve, or maintain highways, bridges, or tunnels that serve the public purpose of interstate commerce.
(B) Special rule for use of federal funds.— 
If the public, quasi-public, or private agency has built, improved, or maintained the facility using Federal funds, the credit under this paragraph shall be reduced by a percentage equal to the percentage of the total cost of building, improving, or maintaining the facility that was derived from Federal funds.
(C) Federal funds defined.— 
In this paragraph, the term Federal funds does not include loans of Federal funds or other financial assistance that must be repaid to the Government.
(2) Maintenance of effort.— 

(A) In general.— 
The credit for any non-Federal share provided under this subsection shall not reduce nor replace State funds required to match Federal funds for any program under this title.
(B) Condition on receipt of credit.— 
To receive a credit under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year, a State shall enter into such agreement as the Secretary may require to ensure that the State will maintain its non-Federal transportation capital expenditures in such fiscal year at or above the average level of such expenditures for the preceding 3 fiscal years; except that if, for any 1 of the preceding 3 fiscal years, the non-Federal transportation capital expenditures of the State were at a level that was greater than 130 percent of the average level of such expenditures for the other 2 of the preceding 3 fiscal years, the agreement shall ensure that the State will maintain its non-Federal transportation capital expenditures in the fiscal year of the credit at or above the average level of such expenditures for the other 2 fiscal years.
(C) Transportation capital expenditures defined.— 
In subparagraph (B), the term non-Federal transportation capital expenditures includes any payments made by the State for issuance of transportation-related bonds.
(3) Treatment.— 

(A) Limitation on liability.— 
Use of a credit for a non-Federal share under this subsection that is received from a public, quasi-public, or private agency
(i) shall not expose the agency to additional liability, additional regulation, or additional administrative oversight; and
(ii) shall not subject the agency to any additional Federal design standards or laws (including regulations) as a result of providing the non-Federal share other than those to which the agency is already subject.
(B) Chartered multistate agencies.— 
When a credit that is received from a chartered multistate agency is applied to a non-Federal share under this subsection, such credit shall be applied equally to all charter States.
(k) Use of Federal Land Management Agency Funds.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the funds appropriated to any Federal land management agency may be used to pay the non-Federal share of the cost of any project the Federal share of which is funded under this title or chapter 53 of title 49.
(l) Use of Federal Lands Highways Program Funds.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Federal lands highways program under section 204 may be used to pay the non-Federal share of the cost of any project that is funded under this title or chapter 53 of title 49 and that provides access to or within Federal or Indian lands.

23 USC 121 - Payment to States for construction

(a) In General.— 
The Secretary, from time to time as the work progresses, may make payments to a State for costs of construction incurred by the State on a project. Such payments may also be made for the value of the materials
(1) that have been stockpiled in the vicinity of the construction in conformity to plans and specifications for the projects; and
(2) that are not in the vicinity of the construction if the Secretary determines that because of required fabrication at an off-site location the material cannot be stockpiled in such vicinity.
(b) Project Agreement.— 
No payment shall be made under this chapter except for a project covered by a project agreement. After completion of the project in accordance with the project agreement, a State shall be entitled to payment out of the appropriate sums apportioned or allocated to the State of the unpaid balance of the Federal share payable for such project.
(c) Such payments shall be made to such official or officials or depository as may be designated by the State transportation department and authorized under the laws of the State to receive public funds of the State.

23 USC 122 - Payments to States for bond and other debt instrument financing

(a) Definition of Eligible Debt Financing Instrument.— 
In this section, the term eligible debt financing instrument means a bond or other debt financing instrument, including a note, certificate, mortgage, or lease agreement, issued by a State or political subdivision of a State or a public authority, the proceeds of which are used for an eligible project under this title.
(b) Federal Reimbursement.— 
Subject to subsections (c) and (d), the Secretary may reimburse a State for expenses and costs incurred by the State or a political subdivision of the State and reimburse a public authority for expenses and costs incurred by the public authority for
(1) interest payments under an eligible debt financing instrument;
(2) the retirement of principal of an eligible debt financing instrument;
(3) the cost of the issuance of an eligible debt financing instrument;
(4) the cost of insurance for an eligible debt financing instrument; and
(5) any other cost incidental to the sale of an eligible debt financing instrument (as determined by the Secretary).
(c) Conditions on Payment.— 
The Secretary may reimburse a State or public authority under subsection (b) with respect to a project funded by an eligible debt financing instrument after the State or public authority has complied with this title with respect to the project to the extent and in the manner that would be required if payment were to be made under section 121.
(d) Federal Share.— 
The Federal share of the cost of a project payable under this section shall not exceed the Federal share of the cost of the project as determined under section 120.
(e) Statutory Construction.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the eligibility of an eligible debt financing instrument for reimbursement under subsection (b) shall not
(1) constitute a commitment, guarantee, or obligation on the part of the United States to provide for payment of principal or interest on the eligible debt financing instrument; or
(2) create any right of a third party against the United States for payment under the eligible debt financing instrument.

23 USC 123 - Relocation of utility facilities

(a) When a State shall pay for the cost of relocation of utility facilities necessitated by the construction of a project on any Federal-aid system, Federal funds may be used to reimburse the State for such cost in the same proportion as Federal funds are expended on the project. Federal funds shall not be used to reimburse the State under this section when the payment to the utility violates the law of the State or violates a legal contract between the utility and the State. Such reimbursement shall be made only after evidence satisfactory to the Secretary shall have been presented to him substantiating the fact that the State has paid such cost from its own funds with respect to Federal-aid highway projects for which Federal funds are obligated subsequent to April 16, 1958, for work, including relocation of utility facilities.
(b) The term utility, for the purposes of this section, shall include publicly, privately, and cooperatively owned utilities.
(c) The term cost of relocation, for the purposes of this section, shall include the entire amount paid by such utility properly attributable to such relocation after deducting therefrom any increase in the value of the new facility and any salvage value derived from the old facility.

23 USC 124 - Advances to States

If the Secretary shall determine that it is necessary for the expeditious completion of projects on any of the Federal-aid systems, including the Interstate System, he may advance to any State out of any existing appropriations the Federal share of the cost of construction thereof to enable the State transportation department to make prompt payments for acquisition of rights-of-way, and for the construction as it progresses. The sums so advanced shall be deposited in a special revolving trust fund, by the State official authorized under the laws of the State to receive Federal-aid highway funds, to be disbursed solely upon vouchers approved by the State transportation department for rights-of-way which have been or are being acquired, and for construction which has been actually performed and approved by the Secretary pursuant to this chapter. Upon determination by the Secretary that any part of the funds advanced to any State under the provisions of this section are no longer required, the amount of the advance, which is determined to be in excess of current requirements of the State, shall be repaid upon his demand, and such repayments shall be returned to the credit of the appropriation from which the funds were advanced. Any sum advanced and not repaid on demand shall be deducted from sums due the State for the Federal pro rata share of the cost of construction of Federal-aid projects.

23 USC 125 - Emergency relief

(a) General Eligibility.— 
Subject to this section and section 120, an emergency fund is authorized for expenditure by the Secretary for the repair or reconstruction of highways, roads, and trails, in any part of the United States, including Indian reservations, that the Secretary finds have suffered serious damage as a result of
(1) natural disaster over a wide area, such as by a flood, hurricane, tidal wave, earthquake, severe storm, or landslide; or
(2) catastrophic failure from any external cause.
(b) Restriction on Eligibility.— 
In no event shall funds be used pursuant to this section for the repair or reconstruction of bridges that have been permanently closed to all vehicular traffic by the State or responsible local official because of imminent danger of collapse due to a structural deficiency or physical deterioration.
(c) Funding.— 
Subject to the following limitations, there are authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) such sums as may be necessary to establish the fund authorized by this section and to replenish it on an annual basis:
(1) Not more than $100,000,000 is authorized to be obligated in any 1 fiscal year commencing after September 30, 1980, to carry out the provisions of this section; except that, if in any fiscal year the total of all obligations under this section is less than the amount authorized to be obligated in such fiscal year, the unobligated balance of such amount shall remain available until expended and shall be in addition to amounts otherwise available to carry out this section each year.
(2) Pending such appropriation or replenishment, the Secretary may obligate from any funds heretofore or hereafter appropriated for obligation in accordance with this title, including existing Federal-aid appropriations, such sums as may be necessary for the immediate prosecution of the work herein authorized. Funds obligated under this paragraph shall be reimbursed from such appropriation or replenishment.
(d) The Secretary may expend funds from the emergency fund herein authorized for the repair or reconstruction of highways on Federal-aid highways in accordance with the provisions of this chapter: Provided, That
(1)  obligations for projects under this section, including those on highways, roads, and trails mentioned in subsection (e) of this section, resulting from a single natural disaster or a single catastrophic failure in a State shall not exceed $100,000,000, and
(2)  the total obligations for projects under this section in any fiscal year in the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands shall not exceed $20,000,000. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter actual and necessary costs of maintenance and operation of ferryboats providing temporary substitute highway traffic service, less the amount of fares charged, may be expended from the emergency fund herein authorized on Federal-aid highways. Except as to highways, roads, and trails mentioned in subsection (e) of this section, no funds shall be so expended unless the Secretary has received an application therefor from the State transportation department, and unless an emergency has been declared by the Governor of the State and concurred in by the Secretary, except that if the President has declared such emergency to be a major disaster for the purposes of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) concurrence of the Secretary is not required.
(e) The Secretary may expend funds from the emergency fund herein authorized, either independently or in cooperation with any other branch of the Government, State agency, organization, or person, for the repair or reconstruction of forest highways, forest development roads and trails, park roads and trails, parkways, public lands highways, public lands development roads and trails, and Indian reservation roads, whether or not such highways, roads, or trails are Federal-aid highways.
(f) Treatment of Territories.— 
For purposes of this section, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands shall be considered to be States and parts of the United States, and the chief executive officer of each such territory shall be considered to be a Governor of a State.

23 USC 126 - Uniform transferability of Federal-aid highway funds

(a) General Rule.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law but subject to subsections (b) and (c), if at least 50 percent of a States apportionment under section 104 or 144 for a fiscal year or at least 50 percent of the funds set-aside under section 133 (d) from the States apportionment under section 104 (b)(3) may not be transferred to any other apportionment of the State under section 104 or 144 for such fiscal year, then the State may transfer not to exceed 50 percent of such apportionment or set aside to any other apportionment of such State under section 104 or 144 for such fiscal year.
(b) Application to Certain Set-Asides.— 
No funds may be transferred under this section that are subject to the last sentence of section 133 (d)(1)1 or to section 104 (f) or to section 133 (d)(3). The maximum amount that a State may transfer under this section of the States set-aside under section 133 (d)(1)1 or 133 (d)(2) for a fiscal year may not exceed 25 percent of
(1)  the amount of such set-aside, less
(2)  the amount of the States set-aside under such section for fiscal year 1997.
(c) Application to Certain CMAQ Funds.— 
The maximum amount that a State may transfer under this section of the States apportionment under section 104 (b)(2) for a fiscal year may not exceed 50 percent of
(1)  the amount of such apportionment, less
(2)  the amount that the States apportionment under section 104 (b)(2) for such fiscal year would have been had the program been funded at $1,350,000,000. Any such funds apportioned under section 104 (b)(2) and transferred under this section may only be obligated in geographic areas eligible for the obligation of funds apportioned under section 104 (b)(2).
[1] See References in Text note below.

23 USC 127 - Vehicle weight limitations - Interstate System

(a) In General.— 

(1) No funds shall be apportioned in any fiscal year under section 104 (b)(1) of this title to any State which does not permit the use of The Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways within its boundaries by vehicles with a weight of twenty thousand pounds carried on any one axle, including enforcement tolerances, or with a tandem axle weight of thirty-four thousand pounds, including enforcement tolerances, or a gross weight of at least eighty thousand pounds for vehicle combinations of five axles or more.
(2) However, the maximum gross weight to be allowed by any State for vehicles using The Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways shall be twenty thousand pounds carried on one axle, including enforcement tolerances, and a tandem axle weight of thirty-four thousand pounds, including enforcement tolerances and with an overall maximum gross weight, including enforcement tolerances, on a group of two or more consecutive axles produced by application of the following formula: LN W=500AXXXXX+12N+36B N1 where W equals overall gross weight on any group of two or more consecutive axles to the nearest five hundred pounds, L equals distance in feet between the extreme of any group of two or more consecutive axles, and N equals number of axles in group under consideration, except that two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross load of thirty-four thousand pounds each providing the overall distance between the first and last axles of such consecutive sets of tandem axles
(1)  is thirty-six feet or more, or
(2)  in the case of a motor vehicle hauling any tank trailer, dump trailer, or ocean transport container before September 1, 1989, is 30 feet or more: Provided, That such overall gross weight may not exceed eighty thousand pounds, including all enforcement tolerances, except for vehicles using Interstate Route 29 between Sioux City, Iowa, and the border between Iowa and South Dakota or vehicles using Interstate Route 129 between Sioux City, Iowa, and the border between Iowa and Nebraska, and except for those vehicles and loads which cannot be easily dismantled or divided and which have been issued special permits in accordance with applicable State laws, or the corresponding maximum weights permitted for vehicles using the public highways of such State under laws or regulations established by appropriate State authority in effect on July 1, 1956, except in the case of the overall gross weight of any group of two or more consecutive axles on any vehicle (other than a vehicle comprised of a motor vehicle hauling any tank trailer, dump trailer, or ocean transport container on or after September 1, 1989), on the date of enactment of the Federal-Aid Highway Amendments of 1974, whichever is the greater.
(3) Any amount which is withheld from apportionment to any State pursuant to the foregoing provisions shall lapse if not released and obligated within the availability period specified in section 118 (b)(2) of this title.
(4) This section shall not be construed to deny apportionment to any State allowing the operation within such State of any vehicles or combinations thereof, other than vehicles or combinations subject to subsection (d) of this section, which the State determines could be lawfully operated within such State on July 1, 1956, except in the case of the overall gross weight of any group of two or more consecutive axles, on the date of enactment of the Federal-Aid Highway Amendments of 1974.
(5) With respect to the State of Hawaii, laws or regulations in effect on February 1, 1960, shall be applicable for the purposes of this section in lieu of those in effect on July 1, 1956.
(6) With respect to the State of Colorado, vehicles designed to carry 2 or more precast concrete panels shall be considered a nondivisible load.
(7) With respect to the State of Michigan, laws or regulations in effect on May 1, 1982, shall be applicable for the purposes of this subsection.
(8) With respect to the State of Maryland, laws and regulations in effect on June 1, 1993, shall be applicable for the purposes of this subsection.
(9) The State of Louisiana may allow, by special permit, the operation of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 100,000 pounds for the hauling of sugarcane during the harvest season, not to exceed 100 days annually.
(10) With respect to Interstate Routes 89, 93, and 95 in the State of New Hampshire, State laws (including regulations) concerning vehicle weight limitations that were in effect on January 1, 1987, and are applicable to State highways other than the Interstate System, shall be applicable in lieu of the requirements of this subsection.
(11) With respect to that portion of the Maine Turnpike designated Interstate Route 95 and 495, and that portion of Interstate Route 95 from the southern terminus of the Maine Turnpike to the New Hampshire State line, laws (including regulations) of the State of Maine concerning vehicle weight limitations that were in effect on October 1, 1995, and are applicable to State highways other than the Interstate System, shall be applicable in lieu of the requirements of this subsection.
(12) Heavy duty vehicles.— 

(A) In general.— 
Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), in order to promote reduction of fuel use and emissions because of engine idling, the maximum gross vehicle weight limit and the axle weight limit for any heavy-duty vehicle equipped with an idle reduction technology shall be increased by a quantity necessary to compensate for the additional weight of the idle reduction system.
(B) Maximum weight increase.— 
The weight increase under subparagraph (A) shall be not greater than 400 pounds.
(C) Proof.— 
On request by a regulatory agency or law enforcement agency, the vehicle operator shall provide proof (through demonstration or certification) that
(i) the idle reduction technology is fully functional at all times; and
(ii) the 400-pound gross weight increase is not used for any purpose other than the use of idle reduction technology described in subparagraph (A).
(b) Reasonable Access.— 
No State may enact or enforce any law denying reasonable access to motor vehicles subject to this title to and from the Interstate Highway System to terminals and facilities for food, fuel, repairs, and rest.
(c) Ocean Transport Container Defined.— 
For purposes of this section, the term ocean transport container has the meaning given the term freight container by the International Standards Organization in Series 1, Freight Containers, 3rd Edition (reference number IS06681979(E)) as in effect on the date of the enactment of this subsection.
(d) Longer Combination Vehicles.— 

(1) Prohibition.— 

(A) General continuation rule.— 
A longer combination vehicle may continue to operate only if the longer combination vehicle configuration type was authorized by State officials pursuant to State statute or regulation conforming to this section and in actual lawful operation on a regular or periodic basis (including seasonal operations) on or before June 1, 1991, or pursuant to section 335 of the Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1991 (104 Stat. 2186).
(B) Applicability of state laws and regulations.— 
All such operations shall continue to be subject to, at the minimum, all State statutes, regulations, limitations and conditions, including, but not limited to, routing-specific and configuration-specific designations and all other restrictions, in force on June 1, 1991; except that subject to such regulations as may be issued by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (5) of this subsection, the State may make minor adjustments of a temporary and emergency nature to route designations and vehicle operating restrictions in effect on June 1, 1991, for specific safety purposes and road construction.
(C) Wyoming.— 
In addition to those vehicles allowed under subparagraph (A), the State of Wyoming may allow the operation of additional vehicle configurations not in actual operation on June 1, 1991, but authorized by State law not later than November 3, 1992, if such vehicle configurations comply with the single axle, tandem axle, and bridge formula limits set forth in subsection (a) and do not exceed 117,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.
(D) Ohio.— 
In addition to vehicles which the State of Ohio may continue to allow to be operated under subparagraph (A), such State may allow longer combination vehicles with 3 cargo carrying units of 281/2 feet each (not including the truck tractor) not in actual operation on June 1, 1991, to be operated within its boundaries on the 1-mile segment of Ohio State Route 7 which begins at and is south of exit 16 of the Ohio Turnpike.
(E) Alaska.— 
In addition to vehicles which the State of Alaska may continue to allow to be operated under subparagraph (A), such State may allow the operation of longer combination vehicles which were not in actual operation on June 1, 1991, but which were in actual operation prior to July 5, 1991.
(F) Iowa.— 
In addition to vehicles that the State of Iowa may continue to allow to be operated under subparagraph (A), the State may allow longer combination vehicles that were not in actual operation on June 1, 1991, to be operated on Interstate Route 29 between Sioux City, Iowa, and the border between Iowa and South Dakota or Interstate Route 129 between Sioux City, Iowa, and the border between Iowa and Nebraska.
(2) Additional state restrictions.— 

(A) In general.— 
Nothing in this subsection shall prevent any State from further restricting in any manner or prohibiting the operation of longer combination vehicles otherwise authorized under this subsection; except that such restrictions or prohibitions shall be consistent with the requirements of sections 31111–31114 of title 49.
(B) Minor adjustments.— 
Any State further restricting or prohibiting the operations of longer combination vehicles or making minor adjustments of a temporary and emergency nature as may be allowed pursuant to regulations issued by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (5) of this subsection, shall, within 30 days, advise the Secretary of such action, and the Secretary shall publish a notice of such action in the Federal Register.
(3) Publication of list.— 

(A) Submission to secretary.— 
Within 60 days of the date of the enactment of this subsection, each State
(i)  shall submit to the Secretary for publication in the Federal Register a complete list of
(I)  all operations of longer combination vehicles being conducted as of June 1, 1991, pursuant to State statutes and regulations;
(II)  all limitations and conditions, including, but not limited to, routing-specific and configuration-specific designations and all other restrictions, governing the operation of longer combination vehicles otherwise prohibited under this subsection; and
(III)  such statutes, regulations, limitations, and conditions; and
(ii)  shall submit to the Secretary copies of such statutes, regulations, limitations, and conditions.
(B) Interim list.— 
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall publish an interim list in the Federal Register, consisting of all information submitted pursuant to subparagraph (A). The Secretary shall review for accuracy all information submitted by the States pursuant to subparagraph (A) and shall solicit and consider public comment on the accuracy of all such information.
(C) Limitation.— 
No statute or regulation shall be included on the list submitted by a State or published by the Secretary merely on the grounds that it authorized, or could have authorized, by permit or otherwise, the operation of longer combination vehicles, not in actual operation on a regular or periodic basis on or before June 1, 1991.
(D) Final list.— 
Except as modified pursuant to paragraph (1)(C) of this subsection, the list shall be published as final in the Federal Register not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection. In publishing the final list, the Secretary shall make any revisions necessary to correct inaccuracies identified under subparagraph (B). After publication of the final list, longer combination vehicles may not operate on the Interstate System except as provided in the list.
(E) Review and correction procedure.— 
The Secretary, on his or her own motion or upon a request by any person (including a State), shall review the list issued by the Secretary pursuant to subparagraph (D). If the Secretary determines there is cause to believe that a mistake was made in the accuracy of the final list, the Secretary shall commence a proceeding to determine whether the list published pursuant to subparagraph (D) should be corrected. If the Secretary determines that there is a mistake in the accuracy of the list the Secretary shall correct the publication under subparagraph (D) to reflect the determination of the Secretary.
(4) Longer combination vehicle defined.— 
For purposes of this section, the term longer combination vehicle means any combination of a truck tractor and 2 or more trailers or semitrailers which operates on the Interstate System at a gross vehicle weight greater than 80,000 pounds.
(5) Regulations regarding minor adjustments.— 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall issue regulations establishing criteria for the States to follow in making minor adjustments under paragraph (1)(B).
(e) Operation of Certain Specialized Hauling Vehicles on Interstate Route 68.— 
The single axle, tandem axle, and bridge formula limits set forth in subsection (a) shall not apply to the operation on Interstate Route 68 in Garrett and Allegany Counties, Maryland, of any specialized vehicle equipped with a steering axle and a tridem axle and used for hauling coal, logs, and pulpwood if such vehicle is of a type of vehicle as was operating in such counties on United States Route 40 or 48 for such purpose on August 1, 1991.
(f) Operation of Certain Specialized Hauling Vehicles on Certain Wisconsin Highways.— 
If the 104-mile portion of Wisconsin State Route 78 and United States Route 51 between Interstate Route 94 near Portage, Wisconsin, and Wisconsin State Route 29 south of Wausau, Wisconsin, is designated as part of the Interstate System under section 103 (c)(4)(A), the single axle weight, tandem axle weight, gross vehicle weight, and bridge formula limits set forth in subsection (a) shall not apply to the 104-mile portion with respect to the operation of any vehicle that could legally operate on the 104-mile portion before the date of the enactment of this subsection.
(g) Operation of Certain Specialized Hauling Vehicles on Certain Pennsylvania Highways.— 
If the segment of United States Route 220 between Bedford and Bald Eagle, Pennsylvania, is designated as part of the Interstate System, the single axle weight, tandem axle weight, gross vehicle weight, and bridge formula limits set forth in subsection (a) shall not apply to that segment with respect to the operation of any vehicle which could have legally operated on that segment before the date of the enactment of this subsection.
(h) Waiver for a Route in State of Maine During Periods of National Emergency.— 

(1) In general.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, may waive or limit the application of any vehicle weight limit established under this section with respect to the portion of Interstate Route 95 in the State of Maine between Augusta and Bangor for the purpose of making bulk shipments of jet fuel to the Air National Guard Base at Bangor International Airport during a period of national emergency in order to respond to the effects of the national emergency.
(2) Applicability.— 
Emergency limits established under paragraph (1) shall preempt any inconsistent State vehicle weight limits.

23 USC 128 - Public hearings

(a) Any State transportation department which submits plans for a Federal-aid highway project involving the by passing of or, going through any city, town, or village, either incorporated or unincorporated, shall certify to the Secretary that it has had public hearings, or has afforded the opportunity for such hearings, and has considered the economic and social effects of such a location, its impact on the environment, and its consistency with the goals and objectives of such urban planning as has been promulgated by the community. Any State transportation department which submits plans for an Interstate System project shall certify to the Secretary that it has had public hearings at a convenient location, or has afforded the opportunity for such hearings for the purpose of enabling persons in rural areas through or contiguous to whose property the highway will pass to express any objections they may have to the proposed locations of such highway. Such certification shall be accompanied by a report which indicates the consideration given to the economic, social, environmental and other effects of the plan or highway location or design and various alternatives which were raised during the hearing or which were otherwise considered.
(b) When hearings have been held under subsection (a), the State transportation department shall submit a copy of the transcript of said hearings to the Secretary, together with the certification and report.

23 USC 129 - Toll roads, bridges, tunnels, and ferries

(a) Basic Program.— 

(1) Authorization for federal participation.— 
Notwithstanding section 301 of this title and subject to the provisions of this section, the Secretary shall permit Federal participation in
(A) initial construction of a toll highway, bridge, or tunnel (other than a highway, bridge, or tunnel on the Interstate System) or approach thereto;
(B) reconstructing, resurfacing, restoring, and rehabilitating a toll highway, bridge, or tunnel (including a toll highway, bridge, or tunnel subject to an agreement entered into under this section or section 119 (e) as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991) or approach thereto;
(C) reconstruction or replacement of a toll-free bridge or tunnel and conversion of the bridge or tunnel to a toll facility;
(D) reconstruction of a toll-free Federal-aid highway (other than a highway on the Interstate System) and conversion of the highway to a toll facility; and
(E) preliminary studies to determine the feasibility of a toll facility for which Federal participation is authorized under subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D);

on the same basis and in the same manner as in the construction of free highways under this chapter.

(2) Ownership.— 
Each highway, bridge, tunnel, or approach thereto constructed under this subsection must
(A) be publicly owned, or
(B) be privately owned if the public authority having jurisdiction over the highway, bridge, tunnel, or approach has entered into a contract with a private person or persons to design, finance, construct, and operate the facility and the public authority will be responsible for complying with all applicable requirements of this title with respect to the facility.
(3) Limitations on use of revenues.— 
Before the Secretary may permit Federal participation under this subsection in construction of a highway, bridge, or tunnel located in a State, the public authority (including the State transportation department) having jurisdiction over the highway, bridge, or tunnel must enter into an agreement with the Secretary which provides that all toll revenues received from operation of the toll facility will be used first for debt service, for reasonable return on investment of any private person financing the project, and for the costs necessary for the proper operation and maintenance of the toll facility, including reconstruction, resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation. If the State certifies annually that the tolled facility is being adequately maintained, the State may use any toll revenues in excess of amounts required under the preceding sentence for any purpose for which Federal funds may be obligated by a State under this title.
(4) Special rule for funding.— 
In the case of a toll highway, bridge, or tunnel under the jurisdiction of a public authority of a State (other than the State transportation department), upon request of the State transportation department and subject to such terms and conditions as such department and public authority may agree, the Secretary shall reimburse such public authority for the Federal share of the costs of construction of the project carried out on the toll facility under this subsection in the same manner and to the same extent as such department would be reimbursed if such project was being carried out by such department. The reimbursement of funds under this paragraph shall be from sums apportioned to the State under this chapter and available for obligations on projects on the Federal-aid system in such State on which the project is being carried out.
(5) Limitation on federal share.— 
The Federal share payable for a project described in paragraph (1) shall be a percentage determined by the State but not to exceed 80 percent.
(6) Modifications.— 
If a public authority (including a State transportation department) having jurisdiction over a toll highway, bridge, or tunnel subject to an agreement under this section or section 119 (e), as in effect on the day before the effective date of title I of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, requests modification of such agreement, the Secretary shall modify such agreement to allow the continuation of tolls in accordance with paragraph (3) without repayment of Federal funds.
(7) Loans.— 

(A) In general.— 
A State may loan to a public or private entity constructing or proposing to construct under this section a toll facility or non-toll facility with a dedicated revenue source an amount equal to all or part of the Federal share of the cost of the project if the project has a revenue source specifically dedicated to it. Dedicated revenue sources for non-toll facilities include excise taxes, sales taxes, motor vehicle use fees, tax on real property, tax increment financing, and such other dedicated revenue sources as the Secretary determines appropriate.
(B) Compliance with federal laws.— 
As a condition of receiving a loan under this paragraph, the public or private entity that receives the loan shall ensure that the project will be carried out in accordance with this title and any other applicable Federal law, including any applicable provision of a Federal environmental law.
(C) Subordination of debt.— 
The amount of any loan received for a project under this paragraph may be subordinated to any other debt financing for the project.
(D) Obligation of funds loaned.— 
Funds loaned under this paragraph may only be obligated for projects under this paragraph.
(E) Repayment.— 
The repayment of a loan made under this paragraph shall commence not later than 5 years after date on which the facility that is the subject of the loan is open to traffic.
(F) Term of loan.— 
The term of a loan made under this paragraph shall not exceed 30 years from the date on which the loan funds are obligated.
(G) Interest.— 
A loan made under this paragraph shall bear interest at or below market interest rates, as determined by the State, to make the project that is the subject of the loan feasible.
(H) Reuse of funds.— 
Amounts repaid to a State from a loan made under this paragraph may be obligated
(i) for any purpose for which the loan funds were available under this title; and
(ii) for the purchase of insurance or for use as a capital reserve for other forms of credit enhancement for project debt in order to improve credit market access or to lower interest rates for projects eligible for assistance under this title.
(I) Guidelines.— 
The Secretary shall establish procedures and guidelines for making loans under this paragraph.
(8) Initial construction defined.— 
For purposes of this subsection, the term initial construction means the construction of a highway, bridge, or tunnel at any time before it is open to traffic and does not include any improvement to a highway, bridge, or tunnel after it is open to traffic.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 301 of this title, the Secretary may permit Federal participation under this title in the construction of a project constituting an approach to a ferry, whether toll or free, the route of which is a public road and has not been designated as a route on the Interstate System. Such ferry may be either publicly or privately owned and operated, but the operating authority and the amount of fares charged for passage shall be under the control of a State agency or official, and all revenues derived from publicly owned or operated ferries shall be applied to payment of the cost of construction or acquisition thereof, including debt service, and to actual and necessary costs of operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement.
(c) Notwithstanding section 301 of this title, the Secretary may permit Federal participation under this title in the construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities, whether toll or free, subject to the following conditions:
(1) It is not feasible to build a bridge, tunnel, combination thereof, or other normal highway structure in lieu of the use of such ferry.
(2) The operation of the ferry shall be on a route classified as a public road within the State and which has not been designated as a route on the Interstate System. Projects under this subsection may be eligible for both ferry boats carrying cars and passengers and ferry boats carrying passengers only.
(3) Such ferry boat or ferry terminal facility shall be publicly owned or operated or majority publicly owned if the Secretary determines with respect to a majority publicly owned ferry or ferry terminal facility that such ferry boat or ferry terminal facility provides substantial public benefits.
(4) The operating authority and the amount of fares charged for passage on such ferry shall be under the control of the State or other public entity, and all revenues derived therefrom shall be applied to actual and necessary costs of operation, maintenance, and[1] repair, debt service, negotiated management fees, and, in the case of a privately operated toll ferry, for a reasonable rate of return.
(5) Such ferry may be operated only within the State (including the islands which comprise the State of Hawaii and the islands which comprise any territory of the United States) or between adjoining States or between a point in a State and a point in the Dominion of Canada. Except with respect to operations between the islands which comprise the State of Hawaii, operations between the islands which comprise any territory of the United States, operations between a point in a State and a point in the Dominion of Canada, and operations between any two points in Alaska and between Alaska and Washington, including stops at appropriate points in the Dominion of Canada, no part of such ferry operation shall be in any foreign or international waters.
(6) No such ferry shall be sold, leased, or otherwise disposed of without the approval of the Secretary. The Federal share of any proceeds from such a disposition shall be credited to the unprogramed balance of Federal-aid highway funds of the same class last apportioned to such State. Any amount so credited shall be in addition to all other funds then apportioned to such State and available for expenditure in accordance with the provisions of this title.
[1] So in original. The word “and” probably should not appear.

23 USC 131 - Control of outdoor advertising

(a) The Congress hereby finds and declares that the erection and maintenance of outdoor advertising signs, displays, and devices in areas adjacent to the Interstate System and the primary system should be controlled in order to protect the public investment in such highways, to promote the safety and recreational value of public travel, and to preserve natural beauty.
(b) Federal-aid highway funds apportioned on or after January 1, 1968, to any State which the Secretary determines has not made provision for effective control of the erection and maintenance along the Interstate System and the primary system of outdoor advertising signs, displays, and devices which are within six hundred and sixty feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way and visible from the main traveled way of the system, and Federal-aid highway funds apportioned on or after January 1, 1975, or after the expiration of the next regular session of the State legislature, whichever is later, to any State which the Secretary determines has not made provision for effective control of the erection and maintenance along the Interstate System and the primary system of those additional outdoor advertising signs, displays, and devices which are more than six hundred and sixty feet off the nearest edge of the right-of-way, located outside of urban areas, visible from the main traveled way of the system, and erected with the purpose of their message being read from such main traveled way, shall be reduced by amounts equal to 10 per centum of the amounts which would otherwise be apportioned to such State under section 104 of this title, until such time as such State shall provide for such effective control. Any amount which is withheld from apportionment to any State hereunder shall be reapportioned to the other States. Whenever he determines it to be in the public interest, the Secretary may suspend, for such periods as he deems necessary, the application of this subsection to a State.
(c) Effective control means that such signs, displays, or devices after January 1, 1968, if located within six hundred and sixty feet of the right-of-way and, on or after July 1, 1975, or after the expiration of the next regular session of the State legislature, whichever is later, if located beyond six hundred and sixty feet of the right-of-way located outside of urban areas, visible from the main traveled way of the system, and erected with the purpose of their message being read from such main traveled way, shall, pursuant to this section, be limited to
(1)  directional and official signs and notices, which signs and notices shall include, but not be limited to, signs and notices pertaining to natural wonders, scenic and historical attractions, which are required or authorized by law, which shall conform to national standards hereby authorized to be promulgated by the Secretary hereunder, which standards shall contain provisions concerning lighting, size, number, and spacing of signs, and such other requirements as may be appropriate to implement this section,
(2)  signs, displays, and devices advertising the sale or lease of property upon which they are located,
(3)  signs, displays, and devices, including those which may be changed at reasonable intervals by electronic process or by remote control, advertising activities conducted on the property on which they are located,
(4)  signs lawfully in existence on October 22, 1965, determined by the State, subject to the approval of the Secretary, to be landmark signs, including signs on farm structures or natural surfaces, or historic or artistic significance the preservation of which would be consistent with the purposes of this section, and
(5)  signs, displays, and devices advertising the distribution by nonprofit">nonprofit organizations of free coffee to individuals traveling on the Interstate System or the primary system. For the purposes of this subsection, the term free coffee shall include coffee for which a donation may be made, but is not required.
(d) In order to promote the reasonable, orderly and effective display of outdoor advertising while remaining consistent with the purposes of this section, signs, displays, and devices whose size, lighting and spacing, consistent with customary use is to be determined by agreement between the several States and the Secretary, may be erected and maintained within six hundred and sixty feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way within areas adjacent to the Interstate and primary systems which are zoned industrial or commercial under authority of State law, or in unzoned commercial or industrial areas as may be determined by agreement between the several States and the Secretary. The States shall have full authority under their own zoning laws to zone areas for commercial or industrial purposes, and the actions of the States in this regard will be accepted for the purposes of this Act. Whenever a bona fide State, county, or local zoning authority has made a determination of customary use, such determination will be accepted in lieu of controls by agreement in the zoned commercial and industrial areas within the geographical jurisdiction of such authority. Nothing in this subsection shall apply to signs, displays, and devices referred to in clauses (2) and (3) of subsection (c) of this section.
(e) Any sign, display, or device lawfully in existence along the Interstate System or the Federal-aid primary system on September 1, 1965, which does not conform to this section shall not be required to be removed until July 1, 1970. Any other sign, display, or device lawfully erected which does not conform to this section shall not be required to be removed until the end of the fifth year after it becomes nonconforming.
(f) The Secretary shall, in consultation with the States, provide within the rights-of-way for areas at appropriate distances from interchanges on the Interstate System, on which signs, displays, and devices giving specific information in the interest of the traveling public may be erected and maintained. The Secretary may also, in consultation with the States, provide within the rights-of-way of the primary system for areas in which signs, displays, and devices giving specific information in the interest of the traveling public may be erected and maintained. Such signs shall conform to national standards to be promulgated by the Secretary.
(g) Just compensation shall be paid upon the removal of any outdoor advertising sign, display, or device lawfully erected under State law and not permitted under subsection (c) of this section, whether or not removed pursuant to or because of this section. The Federal share of such compensation shall be 75 per centum. Such compensation shall be paid for the following:
(A) The taking from the owner of such sign, display, or device of all right, title, leasehold, and interest in such sign, display, or device; and
(B) The taking from the owner of the real property on which the sign, display, or device is located, of the right to erect and maintain such signs, displays, and devices thereon.
(h) All public lands or reservations of the United States which are adjacent to any portion of the Interstate System and the primary system shall be controlled in accordance with the provisions of this section and the national standards promulgated by the Secretary.
(i) In order to provide information in the specific interest of the traveling public, the State transportation departments are authorized to maintain maps and to permit information directories and advertising pamphlets to be made available at safety rest areas. Subject to the approval of the Secretary, a State may also establish information centers at safety rest areas and other travel information systems within the rights-of-way for the purpose of informing the public of places of interest within the State and providing such other information as a State may consider desirable. The Federal share of the cost of establishing such an information center or travel information system shall be that which is provided in section 120 for a highway project on that Federal-aid system to be served by such center or system.
(j) Any State transportation department which has, under this section as in effect on June 30, 1965, entered into an agreement with the Secretary to control the erection and maintenance of outdoor advertising signs, displays, and devices in areas adjacent to the Interstate System shall be entitled to receive the bonus payments as set forth in the agreement, but no such State transportation department shall be entitled to such payments unless the State maintains the control required under such agreement: Provided, That permission by a State to erect and maintain information displays which may be changed at reasonable intervals by electronic process or remote control and which provide public service information or advertise activities conducted on the property on which they are located shall not be considered a breach of such agreement or the control required thereunder. Such payments shall be paid only from appropriations made to carry out this section. The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to exempt any State from controlling outdoor advertising as otherwise provided in this section.
(k) Subject to compliance with subsection (g) of this section for the payment of just compensation, nothing in this section shall prohibit a State from establishing standards imposing stricter limitations with respect to signs, displays, and devices on the Federal-aid highway systems than those established under this section.
(l) Not less than sixty days before making a final determination to withhold funds from a State under subsection (b) of this section, or to do so under subsection (b) of section 136, or with respect to failing to agree as to the size, lighting, and spacing of signs, displays, and devices or as to unzoned commercial or industrial areas in which signs, displays, and devices may be erected and maintained under subsection (d) of this section, or with respect to failure to approve under subsection (g) of section 136, the Secretary shall give written notice to the State of his proposed determination and a statement of the reasons therefor, and during such period shall give the State an opportunity for a hearing on such determination. Following such hearing the Secretary shall issue a written order setting forth his final determination and shall furnish a copy of such order to the State. Within forty-five days of receipt of such order, the State may appeal such order to any United States district court for such State, and upon the filing of such appeal such order shall be stayed until final judgment has been entered on such appeal. Summons may be served at any place in the United States. The court shall have jurisdiction to affirm the determination of the Secretary or to set it aside, in whole or in part. The judgment of the court shall be subject to review by the United States court of appeals for the circuit in which the State is located and to the Supreme Court of the United States upon certiorari or certification as provided in title 28, United States Code, section 1254. If any part of an apportionment to a State is withheld by the Secretary under subsection (b) of this section or subsection (b) of section 136, the amount so withheld shall not be reapportioned to the other States as long as a suit brought by such State under this subsection is pending. Such amount shall remain available for apportionment in accordance with the final judgment and this subsection. Funds withheld from apportionment and subsequently apportioned or reapportioned under this section shall be available for expenditure for three full fiscal years after the date of such apportionment or reapportionment as the case may be.
(m) There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the provisions of this section, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, not to exceed $20,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1966, not to exceed $20,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1967, not to exceed $2,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1970, not to exceed $27,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1971, not to exceed $20,500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1972, and not to exceed $50,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1973. The provisions of this chapter relating to the obligation, period of availability and expenditure of Federal-aid primary highway funds shall apply to the funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section after June 30, 1967. Subject to approval by the Secretary in accordance with the program of projects approval process of section 105,1 a State may use any funds apportioned to it under section 104 of this title for removal of any sign, display, or device lawfully erected which does not conform to this section.
(n) No sign, display, or device shall be required to be removed under this section if the Federal share of the just compensation to be paid upon removal of such sign, display, or device is not available to make such payment. Funds apportioned to a State under section 104 of this title shall not be treated for purposes of the preceding sentence as being available to the State for making such a payment except to the extent that the State, in its discretion, expends such funds for such a payment.
(o) The Secretary may approve the request of a State to permit retention in specific areas defined by such State of directional signs, displays, and devices lawfully erected under State law in force at the time of their erection which do not conform to the requirements of subsection (c), where such signs, displays, and devices are in existence on the date of enactment of this subsection and where the State demonstrates that such signs, displays, and devices
(1)  provide directional information about goods and services in the interest of the traveling public, and
(2)  are such that removal would work a substantial economic hardship in such defined area.
(p) In the case of any sign, display, or device required to be removed under this section prior to the date of enactment of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1974, which sign, display, or device was after its removal lawfully relocated and which as a result of the amendments made to this section by such Act is required to be removed, the United States shall pay 100 per centum of the just compensation for such removal (including all relocation costs).
(q) 
(1) During the implementation of State laws enacted to comply with this section, the Secretary shall encourage and assist the States to develop sign controls and programs which will assure that necessary directional information about facilities providing goods and services in the interest of the traveling public will continue to be available to motorists. To this end the Secretary shall restudy and revise as appropriate existing standards for directional signs authorized under subsections 131(c)(1) and 131(f) to develop signs which are functional and esthetically compatible with their surroundings. He shall employ the resources of other Federal departments and agencies, including the National Endowment for the Arts, and employ maximum participation of private industry in the development of standards and systems of signs developed for those purposes.
(2) Among other things the Secretary shall encourage States to adopt programs to assure that removal of signs providing necessary directional information, which also were providing directional information on June 1, 1972, about facilities in the interest of the traveling public, be deferred until all other nonconforming signs are removed.
(r) Removal of Illegal Signs.— 

(1) By owners.— 
Any sign, display, or device along the Interstate System or the Federal-aid primary system which was not lawfully erected, shall be removed by the owner of such sign, display, or device not later than the 90th day following the effective date of this subsection.
(2) By states.— 
If any owner does not remove a sign, display, or device in accordance with paragraph (1), the State within the borders of which the sign, display, or device is located shall remove the sign, display, or device. The owner of the removed sign, display, or device shall be liable to the State for the costs of such removal. Effective control under this section includes compliance with the first sentence of this paragraph.
(s) Scenic Byway Prohibition.— 
If a State has a scenic byway program, the State may not allow the erection along any highway on the Interstate System or Federal-aid primary system which before, on, or after the effective date of this subsection, is designated as a scenic byway under such program of any sign, display, or device which is not in conformance with subsection (c) of this section. Control of any sign, display, or device on such a highway shall be in accordance with this section. In designating a scenic byway for purposes of this section and section 1047 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, a State may exclude from such designation any segment of a highway that is inconsistent with the States criteria for designating State scenic byways. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall preclude a State from signing any such excluded segment, including such segment on a map, or carrying out similar activities, solely for purposes of system continuity.
(t) Primary System Defined.— 
For purposes of this section, the terms primary system and Federal-aid primary system mean the Federal-aid primary system in existence on June 1, 1991, and any highway which is not on such system but which is on the National Highway System.
[1] See References in Text note below.

23 USC 132 - Payments on Federal-aid projects undertaken by a Federal agency

(a) In General.— 
In a case in which a proposed Federal-aid project is to be undertaken by a Federal agency in accordance with an agreement between a State and the Federal agency, the State may
(1) direct the Secretary to transfer the funds for the Federal share of the project directly to the Federal agency; or
(2) make such deposit with, or payment to, the Federal agency as is required to meet the obligation of the State under the agreement for the work undertaken or to be undertaken by the Federal agency.
(b) Reimbursement.— 
On execution with a State of a project agreement described in subsection (a), the Secretary may reimburse the State, using any available funds, for the estimated Federal share under this title of the obligation of the State deposited or paid under subsection (a)(2).
(c) Recovery and Crediting of Funds.— 
Any sums reimbursed to the State under this section which may be in excess of the Federal pro rata share under the provisions of this title of the States share of the cost as set forth in the approved final voucher submitted by the State shall be recovered and credited to the same class of funds from which the Federal payment under this section was made.

23 USC 133 - Surface transportation program

(a) Establishment.— 
The Secretary shall establish a surface transportation program in accordance with this section.
(b) Eligible Projects.— 
A State may obligate funds apportioned to it under section 104 (b)(3) for the surface transportation program only for the following:
(1) Construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, resurfacing, restoration, and operational improvements for highways (including Interstate highways) and bridges (including bridges on public roads of all functional classifications), including any such construction or reconstruction necessary to accommodate other transportation modes, and including the seismic retrofit and painting of and application of calcium magnesium acetate, sodium acetate/formate, or other environmentally acceptable, minimally corrosive anti-icing and de-icing compositions on bridges and approaches thereto and other elevated structures, mitigation of damage to wildlife, habitat, and ecosystems caused by a transportation project funded under this title.
(2) Capital costs for transit projects eligible for assistance under chapter 53 of title 49, including vehicles and facilities, whether publicly or privately owned, that are used to provide intercity passenger service by bus.
(3) Carpool projects, fringe and corridor parking facilities and programs, bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkways in accordance with section 217, and the modification of public sidewalks to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).
(4) Highway and transit safety infrastructure improvements and programs, hazard eliminations, projects to mitigate hazards caused by wildlife, and railway-highway grade crossings.
(5) Highway and transit research and development and technology transfer programs.
(6) Capital and operating costs for traffic monitoring, management, and control facilities and programs, including advanced truck stop electrification systems.
(7) Surface transportation planning programs.
(8) Transportation enhancement activities.
(9) Transportation control measures listed in section 108 (f)(1)(A) (other than clause (xvi)) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7408 (f)(1)(A)).
(10) Development and establishment of management systems under section 303.
(11) In accordance with all applicable Federal law and regulations, participation in natural habitat and wetlands mitigation efforts related to projects funded under this title, which may include participation in natural habitat and wetlands mitigation banks; contributions to statewide and regional efforts to conserve, restore, enhance, and create natural habitats and wetlands; and development of statewide and regional natural habitat and wetlands conservation and mitigation plans, including any such banks, efforts, and plans authorized pursuant to the Water Resources Development Act of 1990 (including crediting provisions). Contributions to such mitigation efforts may take place concurrent with or in advance of project construction. Contributions toward these efforts may occur in advance of project construction only if such efforts are consistent with all applicable requirements of Federal law and regulations and State transportation planning processes. With respect to participation in a natural habitat or wetland mitigation effort related to a project funded under this title that has an impact that occurs within the service area of a mitigation bank, preference shall be given, to the maximum extent practicable, to the use of the mitigation bank if the bank contains sufficient available credits to offset the impact and the bank is approved in accordance with the Federal Guidance for the Establishment, Use and Operation of Mitigation Banks (60 Fed. Reg. 58605 (November 28, 1995)) or other applicable Federal law (including regulations).
(12) Projects relating to intersections that
(A) have disproportionately high accident rates;
(B) have high levels of congestion, as evidenced by
(i) interrupted traffic flow at the intersection; and
(ii) a level of service rating that is not better than F during peak travel hours, calculated in accordance with the Highway Capacity Manual issued by the Transportation Research Board; and
(C) are located on a Federal-aid highway.
(13) Infrastructure-based intelligent transportation systems capital improvements.
(14) Environmental restoration and pollution abatement in accordance with section 328.
(15) Control of noxious weeds and aquatic noxious weeds and establishment of native species in accordance with section 329.
(c) Location of Projects.— 
Except as provided in subsection (b)(1), surface transportation program projects (other than those described in subsections (b)(3) and (4)) may not be undertaken on roads functionally classified as local or rural minor collectors, unless such roads are on a Federal-aid highway system on January 1, 1991, and except as approved by the Secretary.
(d) Allocations of Apportioned Funds.— 

[(1) Repealed. Pub. L. 109–59, title I, § 1113(b)(1), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1172.]
(2) For transportation enhancement activities.— 
In a fiscal year, the greater of 10 percent of the funds apportioned to a State under section 104 (b)(3) for such fiscal year, or the amount set aside under this paragraph with respect to the State for fiscal year 2005, shall only be available for transportation enhancement activities.
(3) Division between urbanized areas of over 200,000 population and other areas.— 

(A) General rule.— 
Except as provided in subparagraph (C), 62.5 percent of the remaining 90 percent of the funds apportioned to a State under section 104 (b)(3) for a fiscal year shall be obligated under this section
(i) in urbanized areas of the State with an urbanized area population of over 200,000, and
(ii) in other areas of the State,

in proportion to their relative share of the States population. The remaining 37.5 percent may be obligated in any area of the State. Funds attributed to an urbanized area under clause (i) may be obligated in the metropolitan area established under section 134 which encompasses the urbanized area.

(B) Special rule for areas of less than 5,000 population.— 
Of the amounts required to be obligated under subparagraph (A)(ii), the State shall obligate in areas of the State (other than urban areas with a population greater than 5,000) an amount which is not less than 110 percent of the amount of funds apportioned to the State for the Federal-aid secondary system for fiscal year 1991.
(C) Noncontiguous states exemption.— 
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to Hawaii and Alaska.
(D) Distribution between urbanized areas of over 200,000 population.— 
The amount of funds which a State is required to obligate under subparagraph (A)(i) shall be obligated in urbanized areas described in subparagraph (A)(i) based on the relative population of such areas; except that the State may obligate such funds based on other factors if the State and the relevant metropolitan planning organizations jointly apply to the Secretary for the permission to do so and the Secretary grants the request.
(4) Applicability of planning requirements.— 
Programming and expenditure of funds for projects under this section shall be consistent with the requirements of sections 134 and 135 of this title.
(5) Applicability of certain requirements to third party sellers.— 

(A) In general.— 
Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), in the case of a transportation enhancement activity funded from the allocation required under paragraph (2), if real property or an interest in real property is to be acquired from a qualified organization exclusively for conservation purposes (as determined under section 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), the organization shall be considered to be the owner of the property for the purpose of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.).
(B) Federal approval prior to involvement of qualified organization.— 
If Federal approval of the acquisition of the real property or interest predates the involvement of a qualified organization described in subparagraph (A) in the acquisition of the property, the organization shall be considered to be an acquiring agency or person as described in section 24.101(a)(2) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, for the purpose of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970.
(C) Acquisitions on behalf of recipients of federal funds.— 
If a qualified organization described in subparagraph (A) has contracted with a State transportation department or other recipient of Federal funds to acquire the real property or interest on behalf of the recipient, the organization shall be considered to be an agent of the recipient for the purpose of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970.
(e) Administration.— 

(1) Noncompliance.— 
If the Secretary determines that a State or local government has failed to comply substantially with any provision of this section, the Secretary shall notify the State that, if the State fails to take corrective action within 60 days from the date of receipt of the notification, the Secretary will withhold future apportionments under section 104 (b)(3) until the Secretary is satisfied that appropriate corrective action has been taken.
(2) Program approval.— 

(A) Submission of project agreement.— 
For each fiscal year, each State shall submit a project agreement that
(i) certifies that the State will meet all the requirements of this section; and
(ii) notifies the Secretary of the amount of obligations needed to carry out the program under this section.
(B) Request for adjustments of amounts.— 
Each State shall request from the Secretary such adjustments to the amount of obligations referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii) as the State determines to be necessary.
(C) Effect of approval by the secretary.— 
Approval by the Secretary of a project agreement under subparagraph (A) shall be deemed a contractual obligation of the United States to pay surface transportation program funds made available under this title.
(3) Payments.— 

(A) In general.— 
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall make payments to a State of costs incurred by the State for the surface transportation program in accordance with procedures to be established by the Secretary.
(B) Advance payment option for transportation enhancement activities.— 

(i) In general.— 
The Secretary may advance funds to the State for transportation enhancement activities funded from the allocation required by subsection (d)(2) for a fiscal year.
(ii) Limitation on amounts.— 
Amounts advanced under this subparagraph shall be limited to such amounts as are necessary to make prompt payments for project costs.
(iii) Effect on other requirements.— 
This subparagraph shall not exempt a State from other requirements of this title relating to the surface transportation program.
(4) Population determinations.— 
The Secretary shall use estimates prepared by the Secretary of Commerce when determining population figures for purposes of this section.
(5) Transportation enhancement activities.— 

(A) Categorical exclusions.— 
To the extent appropriate, the Secretary shall develop categorical exclusions from the requirement that an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement under section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332) be prepared for transportation enhancement activities funded from the allocation required by subsection (d)(2).
(B) Nationwide programmatic agreement.— 
The Secretary, in consultation with the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation established under title II of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470i et seq.), shall develop a nationwide programmatic agreement governing the review of transportation enhancement activities funded from the allocation required by subsection (d)(2), in accordance with
(i) section 106 of such Act (16 U.S.C. 470f); and
(ii) the regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.
(C) Cost sharing.— 

(i) Required aggregate non-federal share.— 
The average annual non-Federal share of the total cost of all projects to carry out transportation enhancement activities in a State for a fiscal year shall be not less than the non-Federal share authorized for the State under section 120 (b).
(ii) Innovative financing.— 
Subject to clause (i), notwithstanding section 120
(I) funds from other Federal agencies and the value of other contributions (as determined by the Secretary) may be credited toward the non-Federal share of the costs of a project to carry out a transportation enhancement activity;
(II) the non-Federal share for such a project may be calculated on a project, multiple-project, or program basis; and
(III) the Federal share of the cost of an individual project to which subclause (I) or (II) applies may be up to 100 percent.
(f) Obligation Authority.— 

(1) In general.— 
A State that is required to obligate in an urbanized area with an urbanized area population of over 200,000 individuals under subsection (d) funds apportioned to the State under section 104 (b)(3) shall make available during the period of fiscal years 2004 through 2006 and the period of fiscal years 2007 through 2009 an amount of obligation authority distributed to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs for use in the area that is equal to the amount obtained by multiplying
(A) the aggregate amount of funds that the State is required to obligate in the area under subsection (d) during the period; and
(B) the ratio that
(i) the aggregate amount of obligation authority distributed to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs during the period; bears to
(ii) the total of the sums apportioned to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs (excluding sums not subject to an obligation limitation) during the period.
(2) Joint responsibility.— 
Each State, each affected metropolitan planning organization, and the Secretary shall jointly ensure compliance with paragraph (1).

23 USC 134 - Metropolitan transportation planning

(a) Policy.— 
It is in the national interest to
(1) encourage and promote the safe and efficient management, operation, and development of surface transportation systems that will serve the mobility needs of people and freight and foster economic growth and development within and between States and urbanized areas, while minimizing transportation-related fuel consumption and air pollution through metropolitan and statewide transportation planning processes identified in this chapter; and
(2) encourage the continued improvement and evolution of the metropolitan and statewide transportation planning processes by metropolitan planning organizations, State departments of transportation, and public transit operators as guided by the planning factors identified in subsection (h) and section 135 (d).
(b) Definitions.— 
In this section and section 135, the following definitions apply:
(1) Metropolitan planning area.— 
The term metropolitan planning area means the geographic area determined by agreement between the metropolitan planning organization for the area and the Governor under subsection (e).
(2) Metropolitan planning organization.— 
The term metropolitan planning organization means the policy board of an organization created as a result of the designation process in subsection (d).
(3) Nonmetropolitan area.— 
The term nonmetropolitan area means a geographic area outside designated metropolitan planning areas.
(4) Nonmetropolitan local official.— 
The term nonmetropolitan local official means elected and appointed officials of general purpose local government in a nonmetropolitan area with responsibility for transportation.
(5) TIP.— 
The term TIP means a transportation improvement program developed by a metropolitan planning organization under subsection (j).
(6) Urbanized area.— 
The term urbanized area means a geographic area with a population of 50,000 or more, as designated by the Bureau of the Census.
(c) General Requirements.— 

(1) Development of long-range plans and tips.— 
To accomplish the objectives in subsection (a), metropolitan planning organizations designated under subsection (d), in cooperation with the State and public transportation operators, shall develop long-range transportation plans and transportation improvement programs for metropolitan planning areas of the State.
(2) Contents.— 
The plans and TIPs for each metropolitan area shall provide for the development and integrated management and operation of transportation systems and facilities (including accessible pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities) that will function as an intermodal transportation system for the metropolitan planning area and as an integral part of an intermodal transportation system for the State and the United States.
(3) Process of development.— 
The process for developing the plans and TIPs shall provide for consideration of all modes of transportation and shall be continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive to the degree appropriate, based on the complexity of the transportation problems to be addressed.
(d) Designation of Metropolitan Planning Organizations.— 

(1) In general.— 
To carry out the transportation planning process required by this section, a metropolitan planning organization shall be designated for each urbanized area with a population of more than 50,000 individuals
(A) by agreement between the Governor and units of general purpose local government that together represent at least 75 percent of the affected population (including the largest incorporated city (based on population) as named by the Bureau of the Census); or
(B) in accordance with procedures established by applicable State or local law.
(2) Structure.— 
Each metropolitan planning organization that serves an area designated as a transportation management area, when designated or redesignated under this subsection, shall consist of
(A) local elected officials;
(B) officials of public agencies that administer or operate major modes of transportation in the metropolitan area; and
(C) appropriate State officials.
(3) Limitation on statutory construction.— 
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to interfere with the authority, under any State law in effect on December 18, 1991, of a public agency with multimodal transportation responsibilities to
(A) develop the plans and TIPs for adoption by a metropolitan planning organization; and
(B) develop long-range capital plans, coordinate transit services and projects, and carry out other activities pursuant to State law.
(4) Continuing designation.— 
A designation of a metropolitan planning organization under this subsection or any other provision of law shall remain in effect until the metropolitan planning organization is redesignated under paragraph (5).
(5) Redesignation procedures.— 
A metropolitan planning organization may be redesignated by agreement between the Governor and units of general purpose local government that together represent at least 75 percent of the existing planning area population (including the largest incorporated city (based on population) as named by the Bureau of the Census) as appropriate to carry out this section.
(6) Designation of more than 1 metropolitan planning organization.— 
More than 1 metropolitan planning organization may be designated within an existing metropolitan planning area only if the Governor and the existing metropolitan planning organization determine that the size and complexity of the existing metropolitan planning area make designation of more than 1 metropolitan planning organization for the area appropriate.
(e) Metropolitan Planning Area Boundaries.— 

(1) In general.— 
For the purposes of this section, the boundaries of a metropolitan planning area shall be determined by agreement between the metropolitan planning organization and the Governor.
(2) Included area.— 
Each metropolitan planning area
(A) shall encompass at least the existing urbanized area and the contiguous area expected to become urbanized within a 20-year forecast period for the transportation plan; and
(B) may encompass the entire metropolitan statistical area or consolidated metropolitan statistical area, as defined by the Bureau of the Census.
(3) Identification of new urbanized areas within existing planning area boundaries.— 
The designation by the Bureau of the Census of new urbanized areas within an existing metropolitan planning area shall not require the redesignation of the existing metropolitan planning organization.
(4) Existing metropolitan planning areas in nonattainment.— 
Notwithstanding paragraph (2), in the case of an urbanized area designated as a nonattainment area for ozone or carbon monoxide under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) as of the date of enactment of the SAFETEALU, the boundaries of the metropolitan planning area in existence as of such date of enactment shall be retained; except that the boundaries may be adjusted by agreement of the Governor and affected metropolitan planning organizations in the manner described in subsection (d)(5).
(5) New metropolitan planning areas in nonattainment.— 
In the case of an urbanized area designated after the date of enactment of the SAFETEALU, as a nonattainment area for ozone or carbon monoxide, the boundaries of the metropolitan planning area
(A) shall be established in the manner described in subsection (d)(1);
(B) shall encompass the areas described in paragraph (2)(A);
(C) may encompass the areas described in paragraph (2)(B); and
(D) may address any nonattainment area identified under the Clean Air Act for ozone or carbon monoxide.
(f) Coordination in Multistate Areas.— 

(1) In general.— 
The Secretary shall encourage each Governor with responsibility for a portion of a multistate metropolitan area and the appropriate metropolitan planning organizations to provide coordinated transportation planning for the entire metropolitan area.
(2) Interstate compacts.— 
The consent of Congress is granted to any two or more States
(A) to enter into agreements or compacts, not in conflict with any law of the United States, for cooperative efforts and mutual assistance in support of activities authorized under this section as the activities pertain to interstate areas and localities within the States; and
(B) to establish such agencies, joint or otherwise, as the States may determine desirable for making the agreements and compacts effective.
(3) Lake tahoe region.— 

(A) Definition.— 
In this paragraph, the term Lake Tahoe region has the meaning given the term region in subdivision (a) of article II of the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact, as set forth in the first section of Public Law 96551 (94 Stat. 3234).
(B) Transportation planning process.— 
The Secretary shall
(i) establish with the Federal land management agencies that have jurisdiction over land in the Lake Tahoe region a transportation planning process for the region; and
(ii) coordinate the transportation planning process with the planning process required of State and local governments under this section and section 135.
(C) Interstate compact.— 

(i) In general.— 
Subject to clause (ii), and notwithstanding subsection (b), to carry out the transportation planning process required by this section, the consent of Congress is granted to the States of California and Nevada to designate a metropolitan planning organization for the Lake Tahoe region, by agreement between the Governors of the States of California and Nevada and units of general purpose local government that together represent at least 75 percent of the affected population (including the central city or cities (as defined by the Bureau of the Census)), or in accordance with procedures established by applicable State or local law.
(ii) Involvement of federal land management agencies.— 

(I) Representation.— 
The policy board of a metropolitan planning organization designated under clause (i) shall include a representative of each Federal land management agency that has jurisdiction over land in the Lake Tahoe region.
(II) Funding.— 
In addition to funds made available to the metropolitan planning organization for the Lake Tahoe region under other provisions of this title and under chapter 53 of title 49, 1 percent of the funds allocated under section 202 shall be used to carry out the transportation planning process for the Lake Tahoe region under this subparagraph.
(D) Activities.— 
Highway projects included in transportation plans developed under this paragraph
(i) shall be selected for funding in a manner that facilitates the participation of the Federal land management agencies that have jurisdiction over land in the Lake Tahoe region; and
(ii) may, in accordance with chapter 2, be funded using funds allocated under section 202.
(4) Reservation of rights.— 
The right to alter, amend, or repeal interstate compacts entered into under this subsection is expressly reserved.
(g) MPO Consultation in Plan and TIP Coordination.— 

(1) Nonattainment areas.— 
If more than 1 metropolitan planning organization has authority within a metropolitan area or an area which is designated as a nonattainment area for ozone or carbon monoxide under the Clean Air Act, each metropolitan planning organization shall consult with the other metropolitan planning organizations designated for such area and the State in the coordination of plans and TIPs required by this section.
(2) Transportation improvements located in multiple mpos.— 
If a transportation improvement, funded from the Highway Trust Fund or authorized under chapter 53 of title 49, is located within the boundaries of more than 1 metropolitan planning area, the metropolitan planning organizations shall coordinate plans and TIPs regarding the transportation improvement.
(3) Relationship with other planning officials.— 
The Secretary shall encourage each metropolitan planning organization to consult with officials responsible for other types of planning activities that are affected by transportation in the area (including State and local planned growth, economic development, environmental protection, airport operations, and freight movements) or to coordinate its planning process, to the maximum extent practicable, with such planning activities. Under the metropolitan planning process, transportation plans and TIPs shall be developed with due consideration of other related planning activities within the metropolitan area, and the process shall provide for the design and delivery of transportation services within the metropolitan area that are provided by
(A) recipients of assistance under chapter 53 of title 49;
(B) governmental agencies and nonprofit">nonprofit organizations (including representatives of the agencies and organizations) that receive Federal assistance from a source other than the Department of Transportation to provide nonemergency transportation services; and
(C) recipients of assistance under section 204.
(h) Scope of Planning Process.— 

(1) In general.— 
The metropolitan planning process for a metropolitan planning area under this section shall provide for consideration of projects and strategies that will
(A) support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency;
(B) increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and nonmotorized users;
(C) increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and nonmotorized users;
(D) increase the accessibility and mobility of people and for freight;
(E) protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns;
(F) enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight;
(G) promote efficient system management and operation; and
(H) emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system.
(2) Failure to consider factors.— 
The failure to consider any factor specified in paragraph (1) shall not be reviewable by any court under this title or chapter 53 of title 49, subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5, or chapter 7 of title 5 in any matter affecting a transportation plan, a TIP, a project or strategy, or the certification of a planning process.
(i) Development of Transportation Plan.— 

(1) In general.— 
Each metropolitan planning organization shall prepare and update a transportation plan for its metropolitan planning area in accordance with the requirements of this subsection. The metropolitan planning organization shall prepare and update such plan every 4 years (or more frequently, if the metropolitan planning organization elects to update more frequently) in the case of each of the following:
(A) Any area designated as nonattainment, as defined in section 107(d) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7407 (d)).
(B) Any area that was nonattainment and subsequently designated to attainment in accordance with section 107(d)(3) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 7407 (d)(3)) and that is subject to a maintenance plan under section 175A of that Act (42 U.S.C. 7505a).

In the case of any other area required to have a transportation plan in accordance with the requirements of this subsection, the metropolitan planning organization shall prepare and update such plan every 5 years unless the metropolitan planning organization elects to update more frequently.

(2) Transportation plan.— 
A transportation plan under this section shall be in a form that the Secretary determines to be appropriate and shall contain, at a minimum, the following:
(A) Identification of transportation facilities.— 
An identification of transportation facilities (including major roadways, transit, multimodal and intermodal facilities, and intermodal connectors) that should function as an integrated metropolitan transportation system, giving emphasis to those facilities that serve important national and regional transportation functions. In formulating the transportation plan, the metropolitan planning organization shall consider factors described in subsection (h) as such factors relate to a 20-year forecast period.
(B) Mitigation activities.— 

(i) In general.— 
A long-range transportation plan shall include a discussion of types of potential environmental mitigation activities and potential areas to carry out these activities, including activities that may have the greatest potential to restore and maintain the environmental functions affected by the plan.
(ii) Consultation.— 
The discussion shall be developed in consultation with Federal, State, and tribal wildlife, land management, and regulatory agencies.
(C) Financial plan.— 
A financial plan that demonstrates how the adopted transportation plan can be implemented, indicates resources from public and private sources that are reasonably expected to be made available to carry out the plan, and recommends any additional financing strategies for needed projects and programs. The financial plan may include, for illustrative purposes, additional projects that would be included in the adopted transportation plan if reasonable additional resources beyond those identified in the financial plan were available. For the purpose of developing the transportation plan, the metropolitan planning organization, transit operator, and State shall cooperatively develop estimates of funds that will be available to support plan implementation.
(D) Operational and management strategies.— 
Operational and management strategies to improve the performance of existing transportation facilities to relieve vehicular congestion and maximize the safety and mobility of people and goods.
(E) Capital investment and other strategies.— 
Capital investment and other strategies to preserve the existing and projected future metropolitan transportation infrastructure and provide for multimodal capacity increases based on regional priorities and needs.
(F) Transportation and transit enhancement activities.— 
Proposed transportation and transit enhancement activities.
(3) Coordination with clean air act agencies.— 
In metropolitan areas which are in nonattainment for ozone or carbon monoxide under the Clean Air Act, the metropolitan planning organization shall coordinate the development of a transportation plan with the process for development of the transportation control measures of the State implementation plan required by the Clean Air Act.
(4) Consultation.— 

(A) In general.— 
In each metropolitan area, the metropolitan planning organization shall consult, as appropriate, with State and local agencies responsible for land use management, natural resources, environmental protection, conservation, and historic preservation concerning the development of a long-range transportation plan.
(B) Issues.— 
The consultation shall involve, as appropriate
(i) comparison of transportation plans with State conservation plans or maps, if available; or
(ii) comparison of transportation plans to inventories of natural or historic resources, if available.
(5) Participation by interested parties.— 

(A) In general.— 
Each metropolitan planning organization shall provide citizens, affected public agencies, representatives of public transportation employees, freight shippers, providers of freight transportation services, private providers of transportation, representatives of users of public transportation, representatives of users of pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities, representatives of the disabled, and other interested parties with a reasonable opportunity to comment on the transportation plan.
(B) Contents of participation plan.— 
A participation plan
(i) shall be developed in consultation with all interested parties; and
(ii) shall provide that all interested parties have reasonable opportunities to comment on the contents of the transportation plan.
(C) Methods.— 
In carrying out subparagraph (A), the metropolitan planning organization shall, to the maximum extent practicable
(i) hold any public meetings at convenient and accessible locations and times;
(ii) employ visualization techniques to describe plans; and
(iii) make public information available in electronically accessible format and means, such as the World Wide Web, as appropriate to afford reasonable opportunity for consideration of public information under subparagraph (A).
(6) Publication.— 
A transportation plan involving Federal participation shall be published or otherwise made readily available by the metropolitan planning organization for public review, including (to the maximum extent practicable) in electronically accessible formats and means, such as the World Wide Web, approved by the metropolitan planning organization and submitted for information purposes to the Governor at such times and in such manner as the Secretary shall establish.
(7) Selection of projects from illustrative list.— 
Notwithstanding paragraph (2)(C), a State or metropolitan planning organization shall not be required to select any project from the illustrative list of additional projects included in the financial plan under paragraph (2)(C).
(j) Metropolitan TIP.— 

(1) Development.— 

(A) In general.— 
In cooperation with the State and any affected public transportation operator, the metropolitan planning organization designated for a metropolitan area shall develop a TIP for the area for which the organization is designated.
(B) Opportunity for comment.— 
In developing the TIP, the metropolitan planning organization, in cooperation with the State and any affected public transportation operator, shall provide an opportunity for participation by interested parties in the development of the program, in accordance with subsection (i)(5).
(C) Funding estimates.— 
For the purpose of developing the TIP, the metropolitan planning organization, public transportation agency, and State shall cooperatively develop estimates of funds that are reasonably expected to be available to support program implementation.
(D) Updating and approval.— 
The TIP shall be updated at least once every 4 years and shall be approved by the metropolitan planning organization and the Governor.
(2) Contents.— 

(A) Priority list.— 
The TIP shall include a priority list of proposed federally supported projects and strategies to be carried out within each 4-year period after the initial adoption of the TIP.
(B) Financial plan.— 
The TIP shall include a financial plan that
(i) demonstrates how the TIP can be implemented;
(ii) indicates resources from public and private sources that are reasonably expected to be available to carry out the program;
(iii) identifies innovative financing techniques to finance projects, programs, and strategies; and
(iv) may include, for illustrative purposes, additional projects that would be included in the approved TIP if reasonable additional resources beyond those identified in the financial plan were available.
(C) Descriptions.— 
Each project in the TIP shall include sufficient descriptive material (such as type of work, termini, length, and other similar factors) to identify the project or phase of the project.
(3) Included projects.— 

(A) Projects under this title and chapter 53 of title 49.— 
A TIP developed under this subsection for a metropolitan area shall include the projects within the area that are proposed for funding under chapter 1 of this title and chapter 53 of title 49.
(B) Projects under chapter 2.— 

(i) Regionally significant projects.— 
Regionally significant projects proposed for funding under chapter 2 shall be identified individually in the transportation improvement program.
(ii) Other projects.— 
Projects proposed for funding under chapter 2 that are not determined to be regionally significant shall be grouped in one line item or identified individually in the transportation improvement program.
(C) Consistency with long-range transportation plan.— 
Each project shall be consistent with the long-range transportation plan developed under subsection (i) for the area.
(D) Requirement of anticipated full funding.— 
The program shall include a project, or an identified phase of a project, only if full funding can reasonably be anticipated to be available for the project within the time period contemplated for completion of the project.
(4) Notice and comment.— 
Before approving a TIP, a metropolitan planning organization, in cooperation with the State and any affected public transportation operator, shall provide an opportunity for participation by interested parties in the development of the program, in accordance with subsection (i)(5).
(5) Selection of projects.— 

(A) In general.— 
Except as otherwise provided in subsection (k)(4) and in addition to the TIP development required under paragraph (1), the selection of federally funded projects in metropolitan areas shall be carried out, from the approved TIP
(i) by
(I) in the case of projects under this title, the State; and
(II) in the case of projects under chapter 53 of title 49, the designated recipients of public transportation funding; and
(ii) in cooperation with the metropolitan planning organization.
(B) Modifications to project priority.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, action by the Secretary shall not be required to advance a project included in the approved TIP in place of another project in the program.
(6) Selection of projects from illustrative list.— 

(A) No required selection.— 
Notwithstanding paragraph (2)(B)(iv), a State or metropolitan planning organization shall not be required to select any project from the illustrative list of additional projects included in the financial plan under paragraph (2)(B)(iv).
(B) Required action by the secretary.— 
Action by the Secretary shall be required for a State or metropolitan planning organization to select any project from the illustrative list of additional projects included in the financial plan under paragraph (2)(B)(iv) for inclusion in an approved TIP.
(7) Publication.— 

(A) Publication of tips.— 
A TIP involving Federal participation shall be published or otherwise made readily available by the metropolitan planning organization for public review.
(B) Publication of annual listings of projects.— 
An annual listing of projects, including investments in pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities, for which Federal funds have been obligated in the preceding year shall be published or otherwise made available by the cooperative effort of the State, transit operator, and metropolitan planning organization for public review. The listing shall be consistent with the categories identified in the TIP.
(k) Transportation Management Areas.— 

(1) Identification and designation.— 

(A) Required identification.— 
The Secretary shall identify as a transportation management area each urbanized area (as defined by the Bureau of the Census) with a population of over 200,000 individuals.
(B) Designations on request.— 
The Secretary shall designate any additional area as a transportation management area on the request of the Governor and the metropolitan planning organization designated for the area.
(2) Transportation plans.— 
In a metropolitan planning area serving a transportation management area, transportation plans shall be based on a continuing and comprehensive transportation planning process carried out by the metropolitan planning organization in cooperation with the State and public transportation operators.
(3) Congestion management process.— 
Within a metropolitan planning area serving a transportation management area, the transportation planning process under this section shall address congestion management through a process that provides for effective management and operation, based on a cooperatively developed and implemented metropolitan-wide strategy, of new and existing transportation facilities eligible for funding under this title and chapter 53 of title 49 through the use of travel demand reduction and operational management strategies. The Secretary shall establish an appropriate phase-in schedule for compliance with the requirements of this section but no sooner than 1 year after the identification of a transportation management area.
(4) Selection of projects.— 

(A) In general.— 
All federally funded projects carried out within the boundaries of a metropolitan planning area serving a transportation management area under this title (excluding projects carried out on the National Highway System and projects carried out under the bridge program or the Interstate maintenance program) or under chapter 53 of title 49 shall be selected for implementation from the approved TIP by the metropolitan planning organization designated for the area in consultation with the State and any affected public transportation operator.
(B) National highway system projects.— 
Projects carried out within the boundaries of a metropolitan planning area serving a transportation management area on the National Highway System and projects carried out within such boundaries under the bridge program or the Interstate maintenance program under this title shall be selected for implementation from the approved TIP by the State in cooperation with the metropolitan planning organization designated for the area.
(5) Certification.— 

(A) In general.— 
The Secretary shall
(i) ensure that the metropolitan planning process of a metropolitan planning organization serving a transportation management area is being carried out in accordance with applicable provisions of Federal law; and
(ii) subject to subparagraph (B), certify, not less often than once every 4 years, that the requirements of this paragraph are met with respect to the metropolitan planning process.
(B) Requirements for certification.— 
The Secretary may make the certification under subparagraph (A) if
(i) the transportation planning process complies with the requirements of this section and other applicable requirements of Federal law; and
(ii) there is a TIP for the metropolitan planning area that has been approved by the metropolitan planning organization and the Governor.
(C) Effect of failure to certify.— 

(i) Withholding of project funds.— 
If a metropolitan planning process of a metropolitan planning organization serving a transportation management area is not certified, the Secretary may withhold up to 20 percent of the funds attributable to the metropolitan planning area of the metropolitan planning organization for projects funded under this title and chapter 53 of title 49.
(ii) Restoration of withheld funds.— 
The withheld funds shall be restored to the metropolitan planning area at such time as the metropolitan planning process is certified by the Secretary.
(D) Review of certification.— 
In making certification determinations under this paragraph, the Secretary shall provide for public involvement appropriate to the metropolitan area under review.
(l) Abbreviated Plans for Certain Areas.— 

(1) In general.— 
Subject to paragraph (2), in the case of a metropolitan area not designated as a transportation management area under this section, the Secretary may provide for the development of an abbreviated transportation plan and TIP for the metropolitan planning area that the Secretary determines is appropriate to achieve the purposes of this section, taking into account the complexity of transportation problems in the area.
(2) Nonattainment areas.— 
The Secretary may not permit abbreviated plans or TIPs for a metropolitan area that is in nonattainment for ozone or carbon monoxide under the Clean Air Act.
(m) Additional Requirements for Certain Nonattainment Areas.— 

(1) In general.— 
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title or chapter 53 of title 49, for transportation management areas classified as nonattainment for ozone or carbon monoxide pursuant to the Clean Air Act, Federal funds may not be advanced in such area for any highway project that will result in a significant increase in the carrying capacity for single-occupant vehicles unless the project is addressed through a congestion management process.
(2) Applicability.— 
This subsection applies to a nonattainment area within the metropolitan planning area boundaries determined under subsection (e).
(n) Limitation on Statutory Construction.— 
Nothing in this section shall be construed to confer on a metropolitan planning organization the authority to impose legal requirements on any transportation facility, provider, or project not eligible under this title or chapter 53 of title 49.
(o) Funding.— 
Funds set aside under section 104 (f) of this title or section 5305 (g) of title 49 shall be available to carry out this section.
(p) Continuation of Current Review Practice.— 
Since plans and TIPs described in this section are subject to a reasonable opportunity for public comment, since individual projects included in plans and TIPs are subject to review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and since decisions by the Secretary concerning plans and TIPs described in this section have not been reviewed under such Act as of January 1, 1997, any decision by the Secretary concerning a plan or TIP described in this section shall not be considered to be a Federal action subject to review under such Act.

23 USC 135 - Statewide transportation planning

(a) General Requirements.— 

(1) Development of plans and programs.— 
To accomplish the objectives stated in section 134 (a), each State shall develop a statewide transportation plan and a statewide transportation improvement program for all areas of the State, subject to section 134.
(2) Contents.— 
The statewide transportation plan and the transportation improvement program developed for each State shall provide for the development and integrated management and operation of transportation systems and facilities (including accessible pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities) that will function as an intermodal transportation system for the State and an integral part of an intermodal transportation system for the United States.
(3) Process of development.— 
The process for developing the statewide plan and the transportation improvement program shall provide for consideration of all modes of transportation and the policies stated in section 134 (a), and shall be continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive to the degree appropriate, based on the complexity of the transportation problems to be addressed.
(b) Coordination With Metropolitan Planning; State Implementation Plan.— 
A State shall
(1) coordinate planning carried out under this section with the transportation planning activities carried out under section 134 for metropolitan areas of the State and with statewide trade and economic development planning activities and related multistate planning efforts; and
(2) develop the transportation portion of the State implementation plan as required by the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.).
(c) Interstate Agreements.— 

(1) In general.— 
The consent of Congress is granted to two or more States entering into agreements or compacts, not in conflict with any law of the United States, for cooperative efforts and mutual assistance in support of activities authorized under this section related to interstate areas and localities in the States and establishing authorities the States consider desirable for making the agreements and compacts effective.
(2) Reservation of rights.— 
The right to alter, amend, or repeal interstate compacts entered into under this subsection is expressly reserved.
(d) Scope of Planning Process.— 

(1) In general.— 
Each State shall carry out a statewide transportation planning process that provides for consideration and implementation of projects, strategies, and services that will
(A) support the economic vitality of the United States, the States, nonmetropolitan areas, and metropolitan areas, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency;
(B) increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and nonmotorized users;
(C) increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and nonmotorized users;
(D) increase the accessibility and mobility of people and freight;
(E) protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns;
(F) enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes throughout the State, for people and freight;
(G) promote efficient system management and operation; and
(H) emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system.
(2) Failure to consider factors.— 
The failure to consider any factor specified in paragraph (1) shall not be reviewable by any court under this title or chapter 53 of title 49, subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5, or chapter 7 of title 5 in any matter affecting a statewide transportation plan, the transportation improvement program, a project or strategy, or the certification of a planning process.
(e) Additional Requirements.— 
In carrying out planning under this section, each State shall consider, at a minimum
(1) with respect to nonmetropolitan areas, the concerns of affected local officials with responsibility for transportation;
(2) the concerns of Indian tribal governments and Federal land management agencies that have jurisdiction over land within the boundaries of the State; and
(3) coordination of transportation plans, the transportation improvement program, and planning activities with related planning activities being carried out outside of metropolitan planning areas and between States.
(f) Long-Range Statewide Transportation Plan.— 

(1) Development.— 
Each State shall develop a long-range statewide transportation plan, with a minimum 20-year forecast period for all areas of the State, that provides for the development and implementation of the intermodal transportation system of the State.
(2) Consultation with governments.— 

(A) Metropolitan areas.— 
The statewide transportation plan shall be developed for each metropolitan area in the State in cooperation with the metropolitan planning organization designated for the metropolitan area under section 134.
(B) Nonmetropolitan areas.— 
With respect to nonmetropolitan areas, the statewide transportation plan shall be developed in consultation with affected nonmetropolitan officials with responsibility for transportation. The Secretary shall not review or approve the consultation process in each State.
(C) Indian tribal areas.— 
With respect to each area of the State under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribal government, the statewide transportation plan shall be developed in consultation with the tribal government and the Secretary of the Interior.
(D) Consultation, comparison, and consideration.— 

(i) In general.— 
The long-range transportation plan shall be developed, as appropriate, in consultation with State, tribal, and local agencies responsible for land use management, natural resources, environmental protection, conservation, and historic preservation.
(ii) Comparison and consideration.— 
Consultation under clause (i) shall involve comparison of transportation plans to State and tribal conservation plans or maps, if available, and comparison of transportation plans to inventories of natural or historic resources, if available.
(3) Participation by interested parties.— 

(A) In general.— 
In developing the statewide transportation plan, the State shall provide citizens, affected public agencies, representatives of public transportation employees, freight shippers, private providers of transportation, representatives of users of public transportation, representatives of users of pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities, representatives of the disabled, providers of freight transportation services, and other interested parties with a reasonable opportunity to comment on the proposed plan.
(B) Methods.— 
In carrying out subparagraph (A), the State shall, to the maximum extent practicable
(i) hold any public meetings at convenient and accessible locations and times;
(ii) employ visualization techniques to describe plans; and
(iii) make public information available in electronically accessible format and means, such as the World Wide Web, as appropriate to afford reasonable opportunity for consideration of public information under subparagraph (A).
(4) Mitigation activities.— 

(A) In general.— 
A long-range transportation plan shall include a discussion of potential environmental mitigation activities and potential areas to carry out these activities, including activities that may have the greatest potential to restore and maintain the environmental functions affected by the plan.
(B) Consultation.— 
The discussion shall be developed in consultation with Federal, State, and tribal wildlife, land management, and regulatory agencies.
(5) Financial plan.— 
The statewide transportation plan may include a financial plan that demonstrates how the adopted statewide transportation plan can be implemented, indicates resources from public and private sources that are reasonably expected to be made available to carry out the plan, and recommends any additional financing strategies for needed projects and programs. The financial plan may include, for illustrative purposes, additional projects that would be included in the adopted statewide transportation plan if reasonable additional resources beyond those identified in the financial plan were available.
(6) Selection of projects from illustrative list.— 
A State shall not be required to select any project from the illustrative list of additional projects included in the financial plan described in paragraph (5).
(7) Existing system.— 
The statewide transportation plan should include capital, operations and management strategies, investments, procedures, and other measures to ensure the preservation and most efficient use of the existing transportation system.
(8) Publication of long-range transportation plans.— 
Each long-range transportation plan prepared by a State shall be published or otherwise made available, including (to the maximum extent practicable) in electronically accessible formats and means, such as the World Wide Web.
(g) Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.— 

(1) Development.— 
Each State shall develop a statewide transportation improvement program for all areas of the State. Such program shall cover a period of 4 years and be updated every 4 years or more frequently if the Governor elects to update more frequently.
(2) Consultation with governments.— 

(A) Metropolitan areas.— 
With respect to each metropolitan area in the State, the program shall be developed in cooperation with the metropolitan planning organization designated for the metropolitan area under section 134.
(B) Nonmetropolitan areas.— 
With respect to each nonmetropolitan area in the State, the program shall be developed in consultation with affected nonmetropolitan local officials with responsibility for transportation. The Secretary shall not review or approve the specific consultation process in the State.
(C) Indian tribal areas.— 
With respect to each area of the State under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribal government, the program shall be developed in consultation with the tribal government and the Secretary of the Interior.
(3) Participation by interested parties.— 
In developing the program, the State shall provide citizens, affected public agencies, representatives of public transportation employees, freight shippers, private providers of transportation, providers of freight transportation services, representatives of users of public transportation, representatives of users of pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities, representatives of the disabled, and other interested parties with a reasonable opportunity to comment on the proposed program.
(4) Included projects.— 

(A) In general.— 
A transportation improvement program developed under this subsection for a State shall include federally supported surface transportation expenditures within the boundaries of the State.
(B) Listing of projects.— 
An annual listing of projects for which funds have been obligated in the preceding year in each metropolitan planning area shall be published or otherwise made available by the cooperative effort of the State, transit operator, and the metropolitan planning organization for public review. The listing shall be consistent with the funding categories identified in each metropolitan transportation improvement program.
(C) Projects under chapter 2.— 

(i) Regionally significant projects.— 
Regionally significant projects proposed for funding under chapter 2 shall be identified individually in the transportation improvement program.
(ii) Other projects.— 
Projects proposed for funding under chapter 2 that are not determined to be regionally significant shall be grouped in one line item or identified individually in the transportation improvement program.
(D) Consistency with statewide transportation plan.— 
Each project shall be
(i) consistent with the statewide transportation plan developed under this section for the State;
(ii) identical to the project or phase of the project as described in an approved metropolitan transportation plan; and
(iii) in conformance with the applicable State air quality implementation plan developed under the Clean Air Act, if the project is carried out in an area designated as nonattainment for ozone, particulate matter, or carbon monoxide under such Act.
(E) Requirement of anticipated full funding.— 
The transportation improvement program shall include a project, or an identified phase of a project, only if full funding can reasonably be anticipated to be available for the project within the time period contemplated for completion of the project.
(F) Financial plan.— 
The transportation improvement program may include a financial plan that demonstrates how the approved transportation improvement program can be implemented, indicates resources from public and private sources that are reasonably expected to be made available to carry out the transportation improvement program, and recommends any additional financing strategies for needed projects and programs. The financial plan may include, for illustrative purposes, additional projects that would be included in the adopted transportation plan if reasonable additional resources beyond those identified in the financial plan were available.
(G) Selection of projects from illustrative list.— 

(i) No required selection.— 
Notwithstanding subparagraph (F), a State shall not be required to select any project from the illustrative list of additional projects included in the financial plan under subparagraph (F).
(ii) Required action by the secretary.— 
Action by the Secretary shall be required for a State to select any project from the illustrative list of additional projects included in the financial plan under subparagraph (F) for inclusion in an approved transportation improvement program.
(H) Priorities.— 
The transportation improvement program shall reflect the priorities for programming and expenditures of funds, including transportation enhancement activities, required by this title and chapter 53 of title 49.
(5) Project selection for areas of less than 50,000 population.— 
Projects carried out in areas with populations of less than 50,000 individuals shall be selected, from the approved transportation improvement program (excluding projects carried out on the National Highway System and projects carried out under the bridge program or the Interstate maintenance program under this title or under sections 5310, 5311, 5316, and 5317 of title 49), by the State in cooperation with the affected nonmetropolitan local officials with responsibility for transportation. Projects carried out in areas with populations of less than 50,000 individuals on the National Highway System or under the bridge program or the Interstate maintenance program under this title or under sections 5310, 5311, 5316, and 5317 of title 49 shall be selected, from the approved statewide transportation improvement program, by the State in consultation with the affected nonmetropolitan local officials with responsibility for transportation.
(6) Transportation improvement program approval.— 
Every 4 years, a transportation improvement program developed under this subsection shall be reviewed and approved by the Secretary if based on a current planning finding.
(7) Planning finding.— 
A finding shall be made by the Secretary at least every 4 years that the transportation planning process through which statewide transportation plans and programs are developed is consistent with this section and section 134.
(8) Modifications to project priority.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, action by the Secretary shall not be required to advance a project included in the approved transportation improvement program in place of another project in the program.
(h) Funding.— 
Funds set aside pursuant to section 104 (f) of this title and section 5305 (g) of title 49, shall be available to carry out this section.
(i) Treatment of Certain State Laws as Congestion Management Processes.— 
For purposes of this section and section 134, and sections 5303 and 5304 of title 49, State laws, rules, or regulations pertaining to congestion management systems or programs may constitute the congestion management process under this section and section 134, and sections 5303 and 5304 of title 49, if the Secretary finds that the State laws, rules, or regulations are consistent with, and fulfill the intent of, the purposes of this section and section 134 and sections 5303 and 5304 of title 49, as appropriate.
(j) Continuation of Current Review Practice.— 
Since the statewide transportation plan and the transportation improvement program described in this section are subject to a reasonable opportunity for public comment, since individual projects included in the statewide transportation plans and the transportation improvement program are subject to review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and since decisions by the Secretary concerning statewide transportation plans or the transportation improvement program described in this section have not been reviewed under such Act as of January 1, 1997, any decision by the Secretary concerning a metropolitan or statewide transportation plan or the transportation improvement program described in this section shall not be considered to be a Federal action subject to review under such Act.

23 USC 136 - Control of junkyards

(a) The Congress hereby finds and declares that the establishment and use and maintenance of junkyards in areas adjacent to the Interstate System and the primary system should be controlled in order to protect the public investment in such highways, to promote the safety and recreational value of public travel, and to preserve natural beauty.
(b) Federal-aid highway funds apportioned on or after January 1, 1968, to any State which the Secretary determines has not made provision for effective control of the establishment and maintenance along the Interstate System and the primary system of outdoor junkyards, which are within one thousand feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way and visible from the main traveled way of the system, shall be reduced by amounts equal to 10 per centum of the amounts which would otherwise be apportioned to such State under section 104 of this title, until such time as such State shall provide for such effective control. Any amount which is withheld from apportionment to any State hereunder shall be reapportioned to the other States. Whenever he determines it to be in the public interest, the Secretary may suspend, for such periods as he deems necessary, the application of this subsection to a State.
(c) Effective control means that by January 1, 1968, such junkyards shall be screened by natural objects, plantings, fences, or other appropriate means so as not to be visible from the main traveled way of the system, or shall be removed from sight.
(d) The term junk shall mean old or scrap copper, brass, rope, rags, batteries, paper, trash, rubber debris, waste, or junked, dismantled, or wrecked automobiles, or parts thereof, iron, steel, and other old or scrap ferrous or nonferrous material.
(e) The term automobile graveyard shall mean any establishment or place of business which is maintained, used, or operated for storing, keeping, buying, or selling wrecked, scrapped, ruined, or dismantled motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts.
(f) The term junkyard shall mean an establishment or place of business which is maintained, operated, or used for storing, keeping, buying, or selling junk, or for the maintenance or operation of an automobile graveyard, and the term shall include garbage dumps and sanitary fills.
(g) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, junkyards, auto graveyards, and scrap metal processing facilities may be operated within areas adjacent to the Interstate System and the primary system which are within one thousand feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way and which are zoned industrial under authority of State law, or which are not zoned under authority of State law, but are used for industrial activities, as determined by the several States subject to approval by the Secretary.
(h) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, any junkyard in existence on the date of enactment of this section which does not conform to the requirements of this section and which the Secretary finds as a practical matter cannot be screened, shall not be required to be removed until July 1, 1970.
(i) The Federal share of landscaping and screening costs under this section shall be 75 per centum.
(j) Just compensation shall be paid the owner for the relocation, removal, or disposal of junkyards lawfully established under State law. The Federal share of such compensation shall be 75 per centum.
(k) All public lands or reservations of the United States which are adjacent to any portion of the interstate and primary systems shall be effectively controlled in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(l) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a State from establishing standards imposing stricter limitations with respect to outdoor junkyards on the Federal-aid highway systems than those established under this section.
(m) There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, not to exceed $20,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1966, not to exceed $20,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1967, not to exceed $3,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1970, not to exceed $3,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1971, not to exceed $3,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1972, and not to exceed $5,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1973. The provisions of this chapter relating to the obligation, period of availability, and expenditure of Federal-aid primary highway funds shall apply to the funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section after June 30, 1967.

23 USC 137 - Fringe and corridor parking facilities

(a) The Secretary may approve as a project on a Federal-aid highway the acquisition of land adjacent to the right-of-way outside a central business district, as defined by the Secretary, and the construction of publicly owned parking facilities thereon or within such right-of-way, including the use of the air space above and below the established grade line of the highway pavement, to serve an urban area of fifty thousand population or more. Such parking facility shall be located and designed in conjunction with existing or planned public transportation facilities. In the event fees are charged for the use of any such facility, the rate thereof shall not be in excess of that required for maintenance and operation (including compensation to any person for operating such facility).
(b) The Secretary shall not approve any project under this section until
(1) he has determined that the State, or the political subdivision thereof, where such project is to be located, or any agency or instrumentality of such State or political subdivision, has the authority and capability of constructing, maintaining, and operating the facility;
(2) he has entered into an agreement governing the financing, maintenance, and operation of the parking facility with such State, political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, including necessary requirements to insure that adequate public transportation services will be available to persons using such facility; and
(3) he has approved design standards for constructing such facility developed in cooperation with the State transportation department.
(c) The term parking facilities for purposes of this section shall include access roads, buildings, structures, equipment, improvements, and interests in lands.
(d) Nothing in this section, or in any rule or regulation issued under this section, or in any agreement required by this section, shall prohibit
(1)  any State, political subdivision, or agency or instrumentality thereof, from contracting with any person to operate any parking facility constructed under this section, or
(2)  any such person from so operating such facility.
(e) The Secretary shall not approve any project under this section unless he determines that it is based on a continuing comprehensive transportation planning process carried on in accordance with section 134 of this title.
(f) 
(1) The Secretary may approve for Federal financial assistance from funds apportioned under section 104 (b)(4), projects for designating existing facilities, or for acquisition of rights of way or construction of new facilities, for use as preferential parking for carpools, provided that such facilities
(A)  are located outside of a central business district and within an interstate highway corridor, and
(B)  have as their primary purpose the reduction of vehicular traffic on the interstate highway.
(2) Nothing in this subsection, or in any rule or regulation issued under this subsection, or in any agreement required by this subsection, shall prohibit
(A)  any State, political subdivision, or agency or instrumentality thereof, from contracting with any person to operate any parking facility designated or constructed under this subsection, or
(B)  any such person from so operating such facility. Any fees charged for the use of any such facility in connection with the purpose of this subsection shall not be in excess of the amount required for operation and maintenance, including compensation to any person for operating the facility.
(3) For the purposes of this subsection, the terms facilities and parking facilities are synonymous and shall have the same meaning given parking facilities in subsection (c) of this section.

23 USC 138 - Preservation of parklands

(a) Declaration of Policy.— 
It is declared to be the national policy that special effort should be made to preserve the natural beauty of the countryside and public park and recreation lands, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and historic sites. The Secretary of Transportation shall cooperate and consult with the Secretaries of the Interior, Housing and Urban Development, and Agriculture, and with the States in developing transportation plans and programs that include measures to maintain or enhance the natural beauty of the lands traversed. After the effective date of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1968, the Secretary shall not approve any program or project (other than any project for a park road or parkway under section 204 of this title) which requires the use of any publicly owned land from a public park, recreation area, or wildlife and waterfowl refuge of national, State, or local significance as determined by the Federal, State, or local officials having jurisdiction thereof, or any land from an historic site of national, State, or local significance as so determined by such officials unless
(1)  there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use of such land, and
(2)  such program includes all possible planning to minimize harm to such park, recreational area, wildlife and waterfowl refuge, or historic site resulting from such use. In carrying out the national policy declared in this section the Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Interior and appropriate State and local officials, is authorized to conduct studies as to the most feasible Federal-aid routes for the movement of motor vehicular traffic through or around national parks so as to best serve the needs of the traveling public while preserving the natural beauty of these areas.
(b) De Minimis Impacts.— 

(1) Requirements.— 

(A) Requirements for historic sites.— 
The requirements of this section shall be considered to be satisfied with respect to an area described in paragraph (2) if the Secretary determines, in accordance with this subsection, that a transportation program or project will have a de minimis impact on the area.
(B) Requirements for parks, recreation areas, and wildlife or waterfowl refuges.— 
The requirements of subsection (a)(1) shall be considered to be satisfied with respect to an area described in paragraph (3) if the Secretary determines, in accordance with this subsection, that a transportation program or project will have a de minimis impact on the area. The requirements of subsection (a)(2) with respect to an area described in paragraph (3) shall not include an alternatives analysis.
(C) Criteria.— 
In making any determination under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider to be part of a transportation program or project any avoidance, minimization, mitigation, or enhancement measures that are required to be implemented as a condition of approval of the transportation program or project.
(2) Historic sites.— 
With respect to historic sites, the Secretary may make a finding of de minimis impact only if
(A) the Secretary has determined, in accordance with the consultation process required under section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f), that
(i) the transportation program or project will have no adverse effect on the historic site; or
(ii) there will be no historic properties affected by the transportation program or project;
(B) the finding of the Secretary has received written concurrence from the applicable State historic preservation officer or tribal historic preservation officer (and from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation if the Council is participating in the consultation process); and
(C) the finding of the Secretary has been developed in consultation with parties consulting as part of the process referred to in subparagraph (A).
(3) Parks, recreation areas, and wildlife or waterfowl refuges.— 
With respect to parks, recreation areas, or wildlife or waterfowl refuges, the Secretary may make a finding of de minimis impact only if
(A) the Secretary has determined, after public notice and opportunity for public review and comment, that the transportation program or project will not adversely affect the activities, features, and attributes of the park, recreation area, or wildlife or waterfowl refuge eligible for protection under this section; and
(B) the finding of the Secretary has received concurrence from the officials with jurisdiction over the park, recreation area, or wildlife or waterfowl refuge.

23 USC 139 - Efficient environmental reviews for project decisionmaking

(a) Definitions.— 
In this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) Agency.— 
The term agency means any agency, department, or other unit of Federal, State, local, or Indian tribal government.
(2) Environmental impact statement.— 
The term environmental impact statement means the detailed statement of environmental impacts required to be prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
(3) Environmental review process.— 

(A) In general.— 
The term environmental review process means the process for preparing for a project an environmental impact statement, environmental assessment, categorical exclusion, or other document prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
(B) Inclusions.— 
The term environmental review process includes the process for and completion of any environmental permit, approval, review, or study required for a project under any Federal law other than the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
(4) Lead agency.— 
The term lead agency means the Department of Transportation and, if applicable, any State or local governmental entity serving as a joint lead agency pursuant to this section.
(5) Multimodal project.— 
The term multimodal project means a project funded, in whole or in part, under this title or chapter 53 of title 49 and involving the participation of more than one Department of Transportation administration or agency.
(6) Project.— 
The term project means any highway project, public transportation capital project, or multimodal project that requires the approval of the Secretary.
(7) Project sponsor.— 
The term project sponsor means the agency or other entity, including any private or public-private entity, that seeks approval of the Secretary for a project.
(8) State transportation department.— 
The term State transportation department means any statewide agency of a State with responsibility for one or more modes of transportation.
(b) Applicability.— 

(1) In general.— 
The project development procedures in this section are applicable to all projects for which an environmental impact statement is prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and may be applied, to the extent determined appropriate by the Secretary, to other projects for which an environmental document is prepared pursuant to such Act.
(2) Flexibility.— 
Any authorities granted in this section may be exercised for a project, class of projects, or program of projects.
(c) Lead Agencies.— 

(1) Federal lead agency.— 
The Department of Transportation shall be the Federal lead agency in the environmental review process for a project.
(2) Joint lead agencies.— 
Nothing in this section precludes another agency from being a joint lead agency in accordance with regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
(3) Project sponsor as joint lead agency.— 
Any project sponsor that is a State or local governmental entity receiving funds under this title or chapter 53 of title 49 for the project shall serve as a joint lead agency with the Department for purposes of preparing any environmental document under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and may prepare any such environmental document required in support of any action or approval by the Secretary if the Federal lead agency furnishes guidance in such preparation and independently evaluates such document and the document is approved and adopted by the Secretary prior to the Secretary taking any subsequent action or making any approval based on such document, whether or not the Secretarys action or approval results in Federal funding.
(4) Ensuring compliance.— 
The Secretary shall ensure that the project sponsor complies with all design and mitigation commitments made jointly by the Secretary and the project sponsor in any environmental document prepared by the project sponsor in accordance with this subsection and that such document is appropriately supplemented if project changes become necessary.
(5) Adoption and use of documents.— 
Any environmental document prepared in accordance with this subsection may be adopted or used by any Federal agency making any approval to the same extent that such Federal agency could adopt or use a document prepared by another Federal agency.
(6) Roles and responsibility of lead agency.— 
With respect to the environmental review process for any project, the lead agency shall have authority and responsibility
(A) to take such actions as are necessary and proper, within the authority of the lead agency, to facilitate the expeditious resolution of the environmental review process for the project; and
(B) to prepare or ensure that any required environmental impact statement or other document required to be completed under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 is completed in accordance with this section and applicable Federal law.
(d) Participating Agencies.— 

(1) In general.— 
The lead agency shall be responsible for inviting and designating participating agencies in accordance with this subsection.
(2) Invitation.— 
The lead agency shall identify, as early as practicable in the environmental review process for a project, any other Federal and non-Federal agencies that may have an interest in the project, and shall invite such agencies to become participating agencies in the environmental review process for the project. The invitation shall set a deadline for responses to be submitted. The deadline may be extended by the lead agency for good cause.
(3) Federal participating agencies.— 
Any Federal agency that is invited by the lead agency to participate in the environmental review process for a project shall be designated as a participating agency by the lead agency unless the invited agency informs the lead agency, in writing, by the deadline specified in the invitation that the invited agency
(A) has no jurisdiction or authority with respect to the project;
(B) has no expertise or information relevant to the project; and
(C) does not intend to submit comments on the project.
(4) Effect of designation.— 
Designation as a participating agency under this subsection shall not imply that the participating agency
(A) supports a proposed project; or
(B) has any jurisdiction over, or special expertise with respect to evaluation of, the project.
(5) Cooperating agency.— 
A participating agency may also be designated by a lead agency as a cooperating agency under the regulations contained in part 1500 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.
(6) Designations for categories of projects.— 
The Secretary may exercise the authorities granted under this subsection for a project, class of projects, or program of projects.
(7) Concurrent reviews.— 
Each Federal agency shall, to the maximum extent practicable
(A) carry out obligations of the Federal agency under other applicable law concurrently, and in conjunction, with the review required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), unless doing so would impair the ability of the Federal agency to carry out those obligations; and
(B) formulate and implement administrative, policy, and procedural mechanisms to enable the agency to ensure completion of the environmental review process in a timely, coordinated, and environmentally responsible manner.
(e) Project Initiation.— 
The project sponsor shall notify the Secretary of the type of work, termini, length and general location of the proposed project, together with a statement of any Federal approvals anticipated to be necessary for the proposed project, for the purpose of informing the Secretary that the environmental review process should be initiated.
(f) Purpose and Need.— 

(1) Participation.— 
As early as practicable during the environmental review process, the lead agency shall provide an opportunity for involvement by participating agencies and the public in defining the purpose and need for a project.
(2) Definition.— 
Following participation under paragraph (1), the lead agency shall define the projects purpose and need for purposes of any document which the lead agency is responsible for preparing for the project.
(3) Objectives.— 
The statement of purpose and need shall include a clear statement of the objectives that the proposed action is intended to achieve, which may include
(A) achieving a transportation objective identified in an applicable statewide or metropolitan transportation plan;
(B) supporting land use, economic development, or growth objectives established in applicable Federal, State, local, or tribal plans; and
(C) serving national defense, national security, or other national objectives, as established in Federal laws, plans, or policies.
(4) Alternatives analysis.— 

(A) Participation.— 
As early as practicable during the environmental review process, the lead agency shall provide an opportunity for involvement by participating agencies and the public in determining the range of alternatives to be considered for a project.
(B) Range of alternatives.— 
Following participation under paragraph (1), the lead agency shall determine the range of alternatives for consideration in any document which the lead agency is responsible for preparing for the project.
(C) Methodologies.— 
The lead agency also shall determine, in collaboration with participating agencies at appropriate times during the study process, the methodologies to be used and the level of detail required in the analysis of each alternative for a project.
(D) Preferred alternative.— 
At the discretion of the lead agency, the preferred alternative for a project, after being identified, may be developed to a higher level of detail than other alternatives in order to facilitate the development of mitigation measures or concurrent compliance with other applicable laws if the lead agency determines that the development of such higher level of detail will not prevent the lead agency from making an impartial decision as to whether to accept another alternative which is being considered in the environmental review process.
(g) Coordination and Scheduling.— 

(1) Coordination plan.— 

(A) In general.— 
The lead agency shall establish a plan for coordinating public and agency participation in and comment on the environmental review process for a project or category of projects. The coordination plan may be incorporated into a memorandum of understanding.
(B) Schedule.— 

(i) In general.— 
The lead agency may establish as part of the coordination plan, after consultation with each participating agency for the project and with the State in which the project is located (and, if the State is not the project sponsor, with the project sponsor), a schedule for completion of the environmental review process for the project.
(ii) Factors for consideration.— 
In establishing the schedule, the lead agency shall consider factors such as
(I) the responsibilities of participating agencies under applicable laws;
(II) resources available to the cooperating agencies;
(III) overall size and complexity of the project;
(IV) the overall schedule for and cost of the project; and
(V) the sensitivity of the natural and historic resources that could be affected by the project.
(C) Consistency with other time periods.— 
A schedule under subparagraph (B) shall be consistent with any other relevant time periods established under Federal law.
(D) Modification.— 
The lead agency may
(i) lengthen a schedule established under subparagraph (B) for good cause; and
(ii) shorten a schedule only with the concurrence of the affected cooperating agencies.
(E) Dissemination.— 
A copy of a schedule under subparagraph (B), and of any modifications to the schedule, shall be
(i) provided to all participating agencies and to the State transportation department of the State in which the project is located (and, if the State is not the project sponsor, to the project sponsor); and
(ii) made available to the public.
(2) Comment deadlines.— 
The lead agency shall establish the following deadlines for comment during the environmental review process for a project:
(A) For comments by agencies and the public on a draft environmental impact statement, a period of not more than 60 days after publication in the Federal Register of notice of the date of public availability of such document, unless
(i) a different deadline is established by agreement of the lead agency, the project sponsor, and all participating agencies; or
(ii) the deadline is extended by the lead agency for good cause.
(B) For all other comment periods established by the lead agency for agency or public comments in the environmental review process, a period of no more than 30 days from availability of the materials on which comment is requested, unless
(i) a different deadline is established by agreement of the lead agency, the project sponsor, and all participating agencies; or
(ii) the deadline is extended by the lead agency for good cause.
(3) Deadlines for decisions under other laws.— 
In any case in which a decision under any Federal law relating to a project (including the issuance or denial of a permit or license) is required to be made by the later of the date that is 180 days after the date on which the Secretary made all final decisions of the lead agency with respect to the project, or 180 days after the date on which an application was submitted for the permit or license, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives
(A) as soon as practicable after the 180-day period, an initial notice of the failure of the Federal agency to make the decision; and
(B) every 60 days thereafter until such date as all decisions of the Federal agency relating to the project have been made by the Federal agency, an additional notice that describes the number of decisions of the Federal agency that remain outstanding as of the date of the additional notice.
(4) Involvement of the public.— 
Nothing in this subsection shall reduce any time period provided for public comment in the environmental review process under existing Federal law, including a regulation.
(h) Issue Identification and Resolution.— 

(1) Cooperation.— 
The lead agency and the participating agencies shall work cooperatively in accordance with this section to identify and resolve issues that could delay completion of the environmental review process or could result in denial of any approvals required for the project under applicable laws.
(2) Lead agency responsibilities.— 
The lead agency shall make information available to the participating agencies as early as practicable in the environmental review process regarding the environmental and socioeconomic resources located within the project area and the general locations of the alternatives under consideration. Such information may be based on existing data sources, including geographic information systems mapping.
(3) Participating agency responsibilities.— 
Based on information received from the lead agency, participating agencies shall identify, as early as practicable, any issues of concern regarding the projects potential environmental or socioeconomic impacts. In this paragraph, issues of concern include any issues that could substantially delay or prevent an agency from granting a permit or other approval that is needed for the project.
(4) Issue resolution.— 

(A) Meeting of participating agencies.— 
At any time upon request of a project sponsor or the Governor of a State in which the project is located, the lead agency shall promptly convene a meeting with the relevant participating agencies, the project sponsor, and the Governor (if the meeting was requested by the Governor) to resolve issues that could delay completion of the environmental review process or could result in denial of any approvals required for the project under applicable laws.
(B) Notice that resolution cannot be achieved.— 
If a resolution cannot be achieved within 30 days following such a meeting and a determination by the lead agency that all information necessary to resolve the issue has been obtained, the lead agency shall notify the heads of all participating agencies, the project sponsor, the Governor, the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Council on Environmental Quality, and shall publish such notification in the Federal Register.
(i) Performance Measurement.— 
The Secretary shall establish a program to measure and report on progress toward improving and expediting the planning and environmental review process.
(j) Assistance to Affected State and Federal Agencies.— 

(1) In general.— 
For a project that is subject to the environmental review process established under this section and for which funds are made available to a State under this title or chapter 53 of title 49, the Secretary may approve a request by the State to provide funds so made available under this title or such chapter 53 to affected Federal agencies (including the Department of Transportation), State agencies, and Indian tribes participating in the environmental review process for the projects in that State or participating in a State process that has been approved by the Secretary for that State. Such funds may be provided only to support activities that directly and meaningfully contribute to expediting and improving transportation project planning and delivery for projects in that State.
(2) Activities eligible for funding.— 
Activities for which funds may be provided under paragraph (1) include transportation planning activities that precede the initiation of the environmental review process, dedicated staffing, training of agency personnel, information gathering and mapping, and development of programmatic agreements.
(3) Use of federal lands highway funds.— 
The Secretary may also use funds made available under section 204 for a project for the purposes specified in this subsection with respect to the environmental review process for the project.
(4) Amounts.— 
Requests under paragraph (1) may be approved only for the additional amounts that the Secretary determines are necessary for the Federal agencies, State agencies, or Indian tribes participating in the environmental review process to meet the time limits for environmental review.
(5) Condition.— 
A request under paragraph (1) to expedite time limits for environmental review may be approved only if such time limits are less than the customary time necessary for such review.
(k) Judicial Review and Savings Clause.— 

(1) Judicial review.— 
Except as set forth under subsection (l), nothing in this section shall affect the reviewability of any final Federal agency action in a court of the United States or in the court of any State.
(2) Savings clause.— 
Nothing in this section shall be construed as superseding, amending, or modifying the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 or any other Federal environmental statute or affect the responsibility of any Federal officer to comply with or enforce any such statute.
(3) Limitations.— 
Nothing in this section shall preempt or interfere with
(A) any practice of seeking, considering, or responding to public comment; or
(B) any power, jurisdiction, responsibility, or authority that a Federal, State, or local government agency, metropolitan planning organization, Indian tribe, or project sponsor has with respect to carrying out a project or any other provisions of law applicable to projects, plans, or programs.
(l) Limitations on Claims.— 

(1) In general.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a claim arising under Federal law seeking judicial review of a permit, license, or approval issued by a Federal agency for a highway or public transportation capital project shall be barred unless it is filed within 180 days after publication of a notice in the Federal Register announcing that the permit, license, or approval is final pursuant to the law under which the agency action is taken, unless a shorter time is specified in the Federal law pursuant to which judicial review is allowed. Nothing in this subsection shall create a right to judicial review or place any limit on filing a claim that a person has violated the terms of a permit, license, or approval.
(2) New information.— 
The Secretary shall consider new information received after the close of a comment period if the information satisfies the requirements for a supplemental environmental impact statement under section 771.130 of title 23, Code of Federal Regulations. The preparation of a supplemental environmental impact statement when required shall be considered a separate final agency action and the deadline for filing a claim for judicial review of such action shall be 180 days after the date of publication of a notice in the Federal Register announcing such action.

23 USC 140 - Nondiscrimination

(a) Prior to approving any programs for projects as provided for in section 135, the Secretary shall require assurances from any State desiring to avail itself of the benefits of this chapter that employment in connection with proposed projects will be provided without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, or sex. The Secretary shall require that each State shall include in the advertised specifications, notification of the specific equal employment opportunity responsibilities of the successful bidder. In approving programs for projects on any of the Federal-aid systems, the Secretary[1] if necessary to ensure equal employment opportunity, shall require certification by any State desiring to avail itself of the benefits of this chapter that there are in existence and available on a regional, statewide, or local basis, apprenticeship, skill improvement or other upgrading programs, registered with the Department of Labor or the appropriate State agency, if any, which provide equal opportunity for training and employment without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, or sex. In implementing such programs, a State may reserve training positions for persons who receive welfare assistance from such State; except that the implementation of any such program shall not cause current employees to be displaced or current positions to be supplanted or preclude workers that are participating in an apprenticeship, skill improvement, or other upgrading program registered with the Department of Labor or the appropriate State agency from being referred to, or hired on, projects funded under this title without regard to the length of time of their participation in such program. The Secretary shall periodically obtain from the Secretary of Labor and the respective State transportation departments information which will enable the Secretary to judge compliance with the requirements of this section and the Secretary of Labor shall render to the Secretary such assistance and information as the Secretary of Transportation shall deem necessary to carry out the equal employment opportunity program required hereunder.
(b) The Secretary, in cooperation with any other department or agency of the Government, State agency, authority, association, institution, Indian tribal government, corporation (profit or nonprofit">nonprofit), or any other organization or person, is authorized to develop, conduct, and administer surface transportation and technology training, including skill improvement programs, and to develop and fund summer transportation institutes. Whenever apportionments are made under section 104 (b)(3) of this title, the Secretary shall deduct such sums as necessary, not to exceed $10,000,000 per fiscal year, for the administration of this subsection. Such sums so deducted shall remain available until expended. The provisions of section 3709 of the Revised Statutes, as amended (41 U.S.C. 5), shall not be applicable to contracts and agreements made under the authority herein granted to the Secretary. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not to exceed 1/2 of 1 percent of funds apportioned to a State for the surface transportation program under section 104 (b) and the bridge program under section 144 may be available to carry out this subsection upon request of the State transportation department to the Secretary.
(c) The Secretary, in cooperation with any other department or agency of the Government, State agency, authority, association, institution, Indian tribal government, corporation (profit or nonprofit">nonprofit), or any other organization or person, is authorized to develop, conduct, and administer training programs and assistance programs in connection with any program under this title in order that minority businesses may achieve proficiency to compete, on an equal basis, for contracts and subcontracts. Whenever apportionments are made under section 104 (b)(3), the Secretary shall deduct such sums as necessary, not to exceed $10,000,000 per fiscal year, for the administration of this subsection. The provisions of section 3709 of the Revised Statutes, as amended (41 U.S.C. 5), shall not be applicable to contracts and agreements made under the authority herein granted to the Secretary notwithstanding the provisions of section 302(e)2 of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 252 (e)).
(d) Indian Employment.— 
Consistent with section 703(i) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e–2 (i)), nothing in this section shall preclude the preferential employment of Indians living on or near a reservation on projects and contracts on Indian reservation roads. States may implement a preference for employment of Indians on projects carried out under this title near Indian reservations. The Secretary shall cooperate with Indian tribal governments and the States to implement this subsection.
[1] So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
[2] See References in Text note below.

23 USC 141 - Enforcement of requirements

(a) Each State shall certify to the Secretary before January 1 of each year that it is enforcing all State laws respecting maximum vehicle size and weights permitted on the Federal-aid primary system, the Federal-aid urban system, and the Federal-aid secondary system, including the Interstate System in accordance with section 127 of this title. Each State shall also certify that it is enforcing and complying with the provisions of section 127 (d) of this title and section 31112 of title 49.
(b) 
(1) Each State shall submit to the Secretary such information as the Secretary shall, by regulation, require as necessary, in his opinion, to verify the certification of such State under subsection (b) of this section.
(2) If a State fails to certify as required by subsection (b) of this section or if the Secretary determines that a State is not adequately enforcing all State laws respecting such maximum vehicle size and weights, notwithstanding such a certification, then Federal-aid highway funds apportioned to such State for such fiscal year shall be reduced by amounts equal to 10 per centum of the amount which would otherwise be apportioned to such State under section 104 of this title.
(3) If within one year from the date that the apportionment for any State is reduced in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection the Secretary determines that such State is enforcing all State laws respecting maximum size and weights, the apportionment of such State shall be increased by an amount equal to such reduction. If the Secretary does not make such a determination within such one-year period, the amounts so withheld shall be reapportioned to all other eligible States.
(c) The Secretary shall reduce the States apportionment of Federal-aid highway funds under section 104 (b)(4) in an amount up to 25 per centum of the amount to be apportioned in any fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1984, during which heavy vehicles, subject to the use tax imposed by section 4481 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, may be lawfully registered in the State without having presented proof of payment, in such form as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, of the use tax imposed by section 4481 of such Code. Amounts withheld from apportionment to a State under this subsection shall be apportioned to the other States pursuant to the formulas of section 104 (b)(4) and shall be available in the same manner and to the same extent as other Interstate funds apportioned at the same time to other States.

23 USC 142 - Public transportation

(a) 
(1) 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 (hereafter in this section referred to as buses), 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 high occupancy vehicle lanes, highway traffic control devices, bus passenger loading areas and facilities (including shelters), and fringe and transportation corridor parking facilities to serve high occupancy vehicle and public mass transportation passengers, and sums apportioned under section 104 (b) of this title shall be available to finance the cost of projects under this paragraph. If fees are charged for the use of any parking facility constructed under this section, the rate thereof shall not be in excess of that required for maintenance and operation of the facility and the cost of providing shuttle service to and from the facility (including compensation to any person for operating the facility and for providing such shuttle service).
(2) In addition to the projects under paragraph (1), the Secretary may approve as a project on the the[1] surface transportation program for payment from sums apportioned under section 104 (b)(3) for carrying out any capital transit project eligible for assistance under chapter 53 of title 49, capital improvement to provide access and coordination between intercity and rural bus service, and construction of facilities to provide connections between highway transportation and other modes of transportation.
(b) Sums apportioned in accordance with section 104 (b)(4) shall be available to finance the Federal share of projects for exclusive or preferential high occupancy vehicle, truck, and emergency vehicle routes or lanes. Routes constructed under this subsection shall not be subject to the third sentence of section 109 (b) of this title.
(c) Accommodation of Other Modes of Transportation.— 
The Secretary may approve as a project on any Federal-aid system for payment from sums apportioned under section 104 (b) modifications to existing highway facilities on such system necessary to accommodate other modes of transportation if such modifications will not adversely affect automotive safety.
(d) Metropolitan Planning.— 
Any project carried out under this section in an urbanized area shall be subject to the metropolitan planning requirements of section 134.
(e) 
(1) For all purposes of this title, a project authorized by subsection (a)(1) of this section shall be deemed to be a highway project.
(2) Notwithstanding section 209(f)(1) of the Highway Revenue Act of 1956, the Highway Trust Fund shall be available for making expenditures to meet obligations resulting from projects authorized by subsection (a)(2) of this section and such projects shall be subject to, and governed in accordance with, all provisions of this title applicable to projects on the surface transportation program, except to the extent determined inconsistent by the Secretary.
(3) The Federal share payable on account of projects authorized by subsection (a) of this section shall be that provided in section 120 of this title.
(f) Availability of Rights-of-Way.— 
In any case where sufficient land or air space exits[2] within the publicly acquired rights-of-way of any highway, constructed in whole or in part with Federal-aid highway funds, to accommodate needed passenger, commuter, or high speed rail, magnetic levitation systems, and highway and nonhighway public mass transit facilities, the Secretary shall authorize a State to make such lands, air space, and rights-of-way available with or without charge to a publicly or privately owned authority or company or any other person for such purposes if such accommodation will not adversely affect automotive safety.
(g) The provision of assistance under subsection (a)(2) shall not be construed as bringing within the application of chapter 15 of title 5, United States Code, any non-supervisory employee of an urban mass transportation system (or of any other agency or entity performing related functions) to whom such chapter is otherwise inapplicable.
(h) Funds available for expenditure to carry out the purposes of subsection (a)(2) of this section shall be supplementary to and not in substitution for funds authorized and available for obligation pursuant to chapter 53 of title 49.
(i) The provisions of section 5323 (a)(1)(D)3 of title 49 shall apply in carrying out subsection (a)(2) of this section.
[1] So in original.
[2] So in original. Probably should be “exists”.
[3] See References in Text note below.

23 USC 143 - Highway use tax evasion projects

(a) State Defined.— 
In this section, the term State means the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
(b) Projects.— 

(1) In general.— 
The Secretary shall carry out highway use tax evasion projects in accordance with this subsection.
(2) Allocation of funds.— 
Funds made available to carry out this section may be allocated to the Internal Revenue Service and the States at the discretion of the Secretary; except that of funds so made available for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009, $2,000,000 shall be available only to carry out intergovernmental enforcement efforts, including research and training.
(3) Conditions on funds allocated to internal revenue service.— 
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Secretary shall not impose any condition on the use of funds allocated to the Internal Revenue Service under this subsection.
(4) Limitation on use of funds.— 
Funds made available to carry out this section shall be used only
(A) to expand efforts to enhance motor fuel tax enforcement;
(B) to fund additional Internal Revenue Service staff, but only to carry out functions described in this paragraph;
(C) to supplement motor fuel tax examinations and criminal investigations;
(D) to develop automated data processing tools to monitor motor fuel production and sales;
(E) to evaluate and implement registration and reporting requirements for motor fuel taxpayers;
(F) to reimburse State expenses that supplement existing fuel tax compliance efforts;
(G) to analyze and implement programs to reduce tax evasion associated with other highway use taxes;
(H) to support efforts between States and Indian tribes to address issues relating to State motor fuel taxes; and
(I) to analyze and implement programs to reduce tax evasion associated with foreign imported fuel.
(5) Maintenance of effort.— 
The Secretary may not make an allocation to a State under this subsection for a fiscal year unless the State certifies that the aggregate expenditure of funds of the State, exclusive of Federal funds, for motor fuel tax enforcement activities will be maintained at a level that does not fall below the average level of such expenditure for the preceding 2 fiscal years of the State.
(6) Federal share.— 
The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out under this subsection shall be 100 percent.
(7) Period of availability.— 
Funds authorized to carry out this section shall remain available for obligation for a period of 3 years after the last day of the fiscal year for which the funds are authorized.
(8) Use of surface transportation program funding.— 
In addition to funds made available to carry out this section, a State may expend up to 1/4 of 1 percent of the funds apportioned to the State for a fiscal year under section 104 (b)(3) on initiatives to halt the evasion of payment of motor fuel taxes.
(9) Reports.— 
The Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service and each State shall submit to the Secretary an annual report that describes the projects, examinations, and criminal investigations funded by and carried out under this section. Such report shall specify the estimated annual yield from such projects, examinations, and criminal investigations.
(c) Excise Tax Fuel Reporting.— 

(1) In general.— 
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the SAFETEALU, the Secretary shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service for the purposes of
(A) the additional development of capabilities needed to support new reporting requirements and databases established under such Act and the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (Public Law 108357), and such other reporting requirements and database development as may be determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, to be useful in the enforcement of fuel excise taxes, including provisions recommended by the Fuel Tax Enforcement Advisory Committee,
(B) the completion of requirements needed for the electronic reporting of fuel transactions from carriers and terminal operators,
(C) the operation and maintenance of an excise summary terminal activity reporting system and other systems used to provide strategic analyses of domestic and foreign motor fuel distribution trends and patterns,
(D) the collection, analysis, and sharing of information on fuel distribution and compliance or noncompliance with fuel taxes, and
(E) the development, completion, operation, and maintenance of an electronic claims filing system and database and an electronic database of heavy vehicle highway use payments.
(2) Elements of memorandum of understanding.— 
The memorandum of understanding shall provide that
(A) the Internal Revenue Service shall develop and maintain any system under paragraph (1) through contracts,
(B) any system under paragraph (1) shall be under the control of the Internal Revenue Service, and
(C) any system under paragraph (1) shall be made available for use by appropriate State and Federal revenue, tax, and law enforcement authorities, subject to section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(3) Funding.— 
Of the amounts made available to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009, the Secretary shall make available to the Internal Revenue Service such funds as may be necessary to complete, operate, and maintain the systems under paragraph (1) in accordance with this subsection.
(4) Reports.— 
Not later than September 30 of each year, the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service shall provide reports to the Secretary on the status of the Internal Revenue Service projects funded under this subsection.

23 USC 144 - Highway bridge replacement and rehabilitation program

(a) Finding and Declaration.— 
Congress finds and declares that it is in the vital interest of the United States that a highway bridge program be carried out to enable States to improve the condition of their highway bridges over waterways, other topographical barriers, other highways, and railroads through replacement and rehabilitation of bridges that the States and the Secretary determine are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete and through systematic preventive maintenance of bridges.
(b) The Secretary, in consultation with the States, shall
(1)  inventory all those highway bridges on any Federal-aid system which are bridges over waterways, other topographical barriers, other highways, and railroads;
(2)  classify them according to serviceability, safety, and essentiality for public use;
(3)  based on that classification, assign each a priority for replacement or rehabilitation; and
(4)  determine the cost of replacing each such bridge with a comparable facility or of rehabilitating such bridge.
(c) 
(1) The Secretary, in consultation with the States, shall (1) inventory all those highway bridges on public roads, other than those on any Federal-aid system, which are bridges over waterways, other topographical barriers, other highways, and railroads, (2) classify them according to serviceability, safety, and essentiality for public use, (3) based on the classification, assign each a priority for replacement or rehabilitation and (4) determine the cost of replacing each such bridge with a comparable facility or of rehabilitating such bridge.
(2) The Secretary may, at the request of a State, inventory bridges, on and off the Federal-aid system, for historic significance.
(3) Inventory of indian reservation and park bridges.— 
As part of the activities carried out under paragraph (1), the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall
(A)  inventory all those highway bridges on Indian reservation roads and park roads which are bridges over waterways, other topographical barriers, other highways, and railroads,
(B)  classify them according to serviceability, safety, and essentiality for public use,
(C)  based on the classification, assign each a priority for replacement or rehabilitation, and
(D)  determine the cost of replacing each such bridge with a comparable facility or of rehabilitating such bridge.
(d) Participation.— 

(1) Bridge replacement and rehabilitation.— 
On application by a State or States to the Secretary for assistance for a highway bridge that has been determined to be eligible for replacement or rehabilitation under subsection (b) or (c), the Secretary may approve Federal participation in
(A) replacing the bridge with a comparable facility; or
(B) rehabilitating the bridge.
(2) Types of assistance.— 
On application by a State or States to the Secretary, the Secretary may approve Federal assistance for any of the following activities for a highway bridge that has been determined to be eligible for replacement or rehabilitation under subsection (b) or (c):
(A) Painting.
(B) Seismic retrofit.
(C) Systematic preventive maintenance.
(D) Installation of scour countermeasures.
(E) Application of calcium magnesium acetate, sodium acetate/formate, or other environmentally acceptable, minimally corrosive anti-icing and de-icing compositions.
(3) Basis for determination.— 
The Secretary shall determine the eligibility of highway bridges for replacement or rehabilitation for each State based on structurally deficient and functionally obsolete highway bridges in the State.
(4) Special rule for preventive maintenance.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, a State may carry out a project under paragraph (2)(B), (2)(C), or (2)(D) for a highway bridge without regard to whether the bridge is eligible for replacement or rehabilitation under this section.
(e) Funds authorized to carry out this section shall be apportioned among the several States on October 1 of the fiscal year for which authorized in accordance with this subsection. Each deficient bridge shall be placed into one of the following categories:
(1)  Federal-aid system bridges eligible for replacement,
(2)  Federal-aid system bridges eligible for rehabilitation,
(3)  off-system bridges eligible for replacement, and
(4)  off-system bridges eligible for rehabilitation. The deck area of deficient bridges in each category shall be multiplied by the respective unit price on a State-by-State basis, as determined by the Secretary; and the total cost in each State divided by the total cost of the deficient bridges in all States shall determine the apportionment factors. For purposes of the preceding sentence, if a State transfers funds apportioned to the State under this section in a fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1997, to any other apportionment of funds to such State under this title, the total cost of deficient bridges in such State and in all States to be determined for the succeeding fiscal year shall be reduced by the amount of such transferred funds. No State shall receive more than 10 per centum or less than 0.25 per centum of the total apportionment for any one fiscal year. The Secretary shall make these determinations based upon the latest available data, which shall be updated annually. Funds apportioned under this section shall be available for expenditure for the period specified in section 118 (b)(2). Any funds not obligated at the expiration of such period shall be reapportioned by the Secretary to the other States in accordance with this subsection. The use of funds authorized under this section to carry out a project for the seismic retrofit of a bridge shall not affect the apportionment of funds under this section.
(f) The Federal share payable on account of any project under this section shall be 80 per centum of the cost thereof.
(g) Bridge Set-asides.— 

(1) Designated projects.— 

(A) In general.— 
Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated to carry out the bridge program under this section for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2009, all but $100,000,000 shall be apportioned as provided in subsection (e). Such $100,000,000 shall be available as follows:
(i) $12,500,000 per fiscal year for the Golden Gate Bridge.
(ii) $18,750,000 per fiscal year for the construction of a bridge joining the Island of Gravina to the community of Ketchikan in Alaska.
(iii) $12,500,000 per fiscal year to the State of Nevada for construction of a replacement of the federally owned bridge over the Hoover Dam in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
(iv) $12,500,000 per fiscal year to the State of Missouri for construction of a structure over the Mississippi River to connect the City of St. Louis, Missouri, to the State of Illinois.
(v) $12,500,000 per fiscal year for replacement and reconstruction of State maintained bridges in the State of Oklahoma.
(vi) $4,500,000 per fiscal year for replacement of the Missisquoi Bay Bridge, Vermont.
(vii) $8,000,000 per fiscal year for replacement and reconstruction of State-maintained bridges in the State of Vermont.
(viii) $8,750,000 per fiscal year for design, planning, and right-of-way acquisition for the Interstate Route 74 bridge from Bettendorf, Iowa, to Moline, Illinois.
(ix) $10,000,000 per fiscal year for replacement and reconstruction of State-maintained bridges in the State of Oregon.
(B) Gravina access scoring.— 
The project described in subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not be counted for purposes of the reduction set forth in the fourth sentence of subsection (e).
(C) Period of availability.— 
Amounts made available to a State under this paragraph shall remain available until expended.
(2) Off-system bridges.— 

(A) In general.— 
Not less than 15 percent of the amount apportioned to each State in each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009 shall be expended for projects to replace, rehabilitate, paint, perform systematic preventive maintenance or seismic retrofit of, or apply calcium magnesium acetate, sodium acetate/formate, or other environmentally acceptable, minimally corrosive anti-icing and de-icing compositions to, or install scour countermeasures to, highway bridges located on public roads, other than those on a Federal-aid highway, or to complete the Warwick Intermodal Station (including the construction of a people mover between the Station and the T.F. Green Airport).
(B) Reduction of expenditures.— 
The Secretary, after consultation with State and local officials, may reduce the requirement for expenditure for bridges not on a Federal-aid highway under subparagraph (A) with respect to the State if the Secretary determines that the State has inadequate needs to justify the expenditure.
(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the General Bridge Act of 1946 (33 U.S.C. 525–533) shall apply to bridges authorized to be replaced, in whole or in part, by this section, except that subsection (b) of section 502 of such Act of 1946 and section 9 of the Act of March 3, 1899 (30 Stat. 1151) shall not apply to any bridge constructed, reconstructed, rehabilitated, or replaced with assistance under this title, if such bridge is over waters (1) which are not used and are not susceptible to use in their natural condition or by reasonable improvement as a means to transport interstate or foreign commerce, and (2) which are (a) not tidal, or (b) if tidal, used only by recreational boating, fishing, and other small vessels less than 21 feet in length.
(i) Inventories and Reports.— 
The Secretary shall
(1) report to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on projects approved under this section;
(2) annually revise the current inventories authorized by subsections (b) and (c) of this section;
(3) report to such committees on such inventories; and
(4) report to such committees such recommendations as the Secretary may have for improvements of the program authorized by this section.

Such reports shall be submitted to such committees biennially.

(j) Sums apportioned to a State under this section shall be made available for obligation throughout such State on a fair and equitable basis.
(k) Not later than six months after the date of enactment of this subsection, and periodically thereafter, the Secretary shall review the procedure used in approving or disapproving applications submitted under this section to determine what changes, if any, may be made to expedite such procedure. Any such changes shall be implemented by the Secretary as soon as possible. Not later than nine months after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress which describes such review and such changes, including any recommendations for legislative changes.
(l) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any bridge which is owned and operated by an agency
(1)  which does not have taxing powers,
(2)  whose functions include operating a federally assisted public transit system subsidized by toll revenues, shall be eligible for assistance under this section but the amount of such assistance shall in no event exceed the cumulative amount which such agency has expended for capital and operating costs to subsidize such transit system. Before authorizing an expenditure of funds under this subsection, the Secretary shall determine that the applicant agency has insufficient reserves, surpluses, and projected revenues (over and above those required for bridge and transit capital and operating costs) to fund the necessary bridge replacement or rehabilitation project. Any non-Federal funds expended for the seismic retrofit of the bridge may be credited toward the non-Federal share required as a condition of receipt of any Federal funds for seismic retrofit of the bridge made available after the date of the expenditure.
(m) Replacement of Destroyed Bridges and Ferryboat Service.— 

(1) General rule.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or of any other provision of law, a State may utilize any of the funds provided under this section to construct any bridge which
(A) replaces any low water crossing (regardless of the length of such low water crossing),
(B) replaces any bridge which was destroyed prior to 1965,
(C) replaces any ferry which was in existence on January 1, 1984, or
(D) replaces any road bridges rendered obsolete as a result of United States Corps of Engineers flood control or channelization projects and not rebuilt with funds from the United States Corps of Engineers.
(2) Federal share.— 
The Federal share payable on any bridge construction carried out under paragraph (1) shall be 80 percent of the cost of such construction.
(n) Off-System Bridge Program.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, with respect to any project not on a Federal-aid highway for the replacement of a bridge or rehabilitation of a bridge which is wholly funded from State and local sources, is eligible for Federal funds under this section, is noncontroversial, is certified by the State to have been carried out in accordance with all standards applicable to such projects under this section, and is determined by the Secretary upon completion to be no longer a deficient bridge, any amount expended after the date of the enactment of this subsection from State and local sources for such project in excess of 20 percent of the cost of construction thereof may be credited to the non-Federal share of the cost of the projects in such State which are eligible for Federal funds under this section. Such crediting shall be in accordance with such procedures as the Secretary may establish.
(o) Historic Bridge Program.— 

(1) Coordination.— 
The Secretary shall, in cooperation with the States, implement the programs described in this section in a manner that encourages the inventory, retention, rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, and future study of historic bridges.
(2) State inventory.— 
The Secretary shall require each State to complete an inventory of all bridges on and off the Federal-aid system to determine their historic significance.
(3) Eligibility.— 
Reasonable costs associated with actions to preserve, or reduce the impact of a project under this chapter on, the historic integrity of historic bridges shall be eligible as reimbursable project costs under this title (including this section) if the load capacity and safety features of the bridge are adequate to serve the intended use for the life of the bridge; except that in the case of a bridge which is no longer used for motorized vehicular traffic, the costs eligible as reimbursable project costs pursuant to this subsection shall not exceed the estimated cost of demolition of such bridge.
(4) Preservation.— 
Any State which proposes to demolish a historic bridge for a replacement project with funds made available to carry out this section shall first make the bridge available for donation to a State, locality, or responsible private entity if such State, locality, or responsible entity enters into an agreement to
(A) maintain the bridge and the features that give it its historic significance; and
(B) assume all future legal and financial responsibility for the bridge, which may include an agreement to hold the State highway agency harmless in any liability action.

Costs incurred by the State to preserve the historic bridge, including funds made available to the State, locality, or private entity to enable it to accept the bridge, shall be eligible as reimbursable project costs under this chapter up to an amount not to exceed the cost of demolition. Any bridge preserved pursuant to this paragraph shall thereafter not be eligible for any other funds authorized pursuant to this title.

(5) Historic bridge defined.— 
As used in this subsection, historic bridge means any bridge that is listed on, or eligible for listing on, the National Register of Historic Places.
(p) Applicability of State Standards for Projects.— 
A project not on a Federal-aid highway under this section shall be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained in accordance with State laws, regulations, directives, safety standards, design standards, and construction standards.
(q) As used in this section the term rehabilitate in any of its forms means major work necessary to restore the structural integrity of a bridge as well as work necessary to correct a major safety defect.
(r) Annual Materials Report on New Bridge Construction and Bridge Rehabilitation.— 
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a report describing construction materials used in new Federal-aid bridge construction and bridge rehabilitation projects.
(s) Federal Share.— 

(1) In general.— 
Except as provided under paragraph (2), the Federal share of the cost of a project payable from funds made available to carry out this section shall be determined under section 120 (b).
(2) Interstate system.— 
The Federal share of the cost of a project on the Interstate System payable from funds made available to carry out this section shall be determined under section 120 (a).

23 USC 145 - Federal-State relationship

(a) Protection of State Sovereignty.— 
The authorization of the appropriation of Federal funds or their availability for expenditure under this chapter shall in no way infringe on the sovereign rights of the States to determine which projects shall be federally financed. The provisions of this chapter provide for a federally assisted State program.
(b) Purpose of Projects.— 
The projects described in section 1702 of the SAFETEALU, section 1602 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, sections 1103 through 1108 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (105 Stat. 2027 et seq.), and section 149(a) of the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 (101 Stat. 181 et seq.) are intended to establish eligibility for Federal-aid highway funds made available for such projects by section 1101(a)(16) of the SAFETEALU, section 1101(a)(13) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, section 117 of this title, sections 1103 through 1108 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, and subsections (b), (c), and (d) of section 149 of the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987, respectively, and are not intended to define the scope or limits of Federal action in a manner inconsistent with subsection (a).

23 USC 146 - Carpool and vanpool projects

(a) In order to conserve fuel, decrease traffic congestion during rush hours, improve air quality, and enhance the use of existing highways and parking facilities, the Secretary may approve for Federal financial assistance from funds apportioned under sections 104 (b)(1) and 104 (b)(3) of this title, projects designed to encourage the use of carpools and vanpools. (As used hereafter in this section, the term carpool includes a vanpool.) Such a project may include, but is not limited to, such measures as providing carpooling opportunities to the elderly and handicapped, systems for locating potential riders and informing them of convenient carpool opportunities, acquiring vehicles appropriate for carpool use, designating existing highway lanes as preferential carpool highway lanes, providing related traffic control devices, and designating existing facilities for use as preferential parking for carpools.
(b) A project authorized by this section shall be subject to and carried out in accordance with all provisions of this title, except those provisions which the Secretary determines are inconsistent with this section.

23 USC 147 - Construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities

(a) In General.— 
The Secretary shall carry out a program for construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities in accordance with section 129 (c).
(b) Federal Share.— 
The Federal share of the cost of construction of ferry boats, ferry terminals, and ferry maintenance facilities under this section shall be 80 percent.
(c) Allocation of Funds.— 
The Secretary shall give priority in the allocation of funds under this section to those ferry systems, and public entities responsible for developing ferries, that
(1) provide critical access to areas that are not well-served by other modes of surface transportation;
(2) carry the greatest number of passengers and vehicles; or
(3) carry the greatest number of passengers in passenger-only service.
(d) Set-Aside for Projects on NHS.— 

(1) In general.— 
$20,000,000 of the amount made available to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009 shall be obligated for the construction or refurbishment of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities and approaches to such facilities within marine highway systems that are part of the National Highway System.
(2) Alaska.— 
$10,000,000 of the $20,000,000 for a fiscal year made available under paragraph (1) shall be made available to the State of Alaska.
(3) New jersey.— 
$5,000,000 of the $20,000,000 for a fiscal year made available under paragraph (1) shall be made available to the State of New Jersey.
(4) Washington.— 
$5,000,000 of the $20,000,000 for a fiscal year made available under paragraph (1) shall be made available to the State of Washington.
(e) Period of Availability.— 
Notwithstanding section 118 (b), funds made available to carry out this section shall remain available until expended.
(f) Applicability.— 
All provisions of this chapter that are applicable to the National Highway System, other than provisions relating to apportionment formula and Federal share, shall apply to funds made available to carry out this section, except as determined by the Secretary to be inconsistent with this section.

23 USC 148 - Highway safety improvement program

(a) Definitions.— 
In this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) High risk rural road.— 
The term high risk rural road means any roadway functionally classified as a rural major or minor collector or a rural local road
(A) on which the accident rate for fatalities and incapacitating injuries exceeds the statewide average for those functional classes of roadway; or
(B) that will likely have increases in traffic volume that are likely to create an accident rate for fatalities and incapacitating injuries that exceeds the statewide average for those functional classes of roadway.
(2) Highway safety improvement program.— 
The term highway safety improvement program means the program carried out under this section.
(3) Highway safety improvement project.— 

(A) In general.— 
The term highway safety improvement project means a project described in the State strategic highway safety plan that
(i) corrects or improves a hazardous road location or feature; or
(ii) addresses a highway safety problem.
(B) Inclusions.— 
The term highway safety improvement project includes a project for one or more of the following:
(i) An intersection safety improvement.
(ii) Pavement and shoulder widening (including addition of a passing lane to remedy an unsafe condition).
(iii) Installation of rumble strips or another warning device, if the rumble strips or other warning devices do not adversely affect the safety or mobility of bicyclists, pedestrians, and the disabled.
(iv) Installation of a skid-resistant surface at an intersection or other location with a high frequency of accidents.
(v) An improvement for pedestrian or bicyclist safety or safety of the disabled.
(vi) Construction of any project for the elimination of hazards at a railway-highway crossing that is eligible for funding under section 130, including the separation or protection of grades at railway-highway crossings.
(vii) Construction of a railway-highway crossing safety feature, including installation of protective devices.
(viii) The conduct of a model traffic enforcement activity at a railway-highway crossing.
(ix) Construction of a traffic calming feature.
(x) Elimination of a roadside obstacle.
(xi) Improvement of highway signage and pavement markings.
(xii) Installation of a priority control system for emergency vehicles at signalized intersections.
(xiii) Installation of a traffic control or other warning device at a location with high accident potential.
(xiv) Safety-conscious planning.
(xv) Improvement in the collection and analysis of crash data.
(xvi) Planning integrated interoperable emergency communications equipment, operational activities, or traffic enforcement activities (including police assistance) relating to workzone safety.
(xvii) Installation of guardrails, barriers (including barriers between construction work zones and traffic lanes for the safety of motorists and workers), and crash attenuators.
(xviii) The addition or retrofitting of structures or other measures to eliminate or reduce accidents involving vehicles and wildlife.
(xix) Installation and maintenance of signs (including fluorescent, yellow-green signs) at pedestrian-bicycle crossings and in school zones.
(xx) Construction and yellow-green signs at pedestrian-bicycle crossings and in school zones.
(xxi) Construction and operational improvements on high risk rural roads.
(4) Safety project under any other section.— 

(A) In general.— 
The term safety project under any other section means a project carried out for the purpose of safety under any other section of this title.
(B) Inclusion.— 
The term safety project under any other section includes a project to promote the awareness of the public and educate the public concerning highway safety matters (including motorcyclist safety) and a project to enforce highway safety laws.
(5) State highway safety improvement program.— 
The term State highway safety improvement program means projects or strategies included in the State strategic highway safety plan carried out as part of the State transportation improvement program under section 135 (g).
(6) State strategic highway safety plan.— 
The term State strategic highway safety plan means a plan developed by the State transportation department that
(A) is developed after consultation with
(i) a highway safety representative of the Governor of the State;
(ii) regional transportation planning organizations and metropolitan planning organizations, if any;
(iii) representatives of major modes of transportation;
(iv) State and local traffic enforcement officials;
(v) persons responsible for administering section 130 at the State level;
(vi) representatives conducting Operation Lifesaver;
(vii) representatives conducting a motor carrier safety program under section 31102, 31106, or 31309 of title 49;
(viii) motor vehicle administration agencies; and
(ix) other major State and local safety stakeholders;
(B) analyzes and makes effective use of State, regional, or local crash data;
(C) addresses engineering, management, operation, education, enforcement, and emergency services elements (including integrated, interoperable emergency communications) of highway safety as key factors in evaluating highway projects;
(D) considers safety needs of, and high-fatality segments of, public roads;
(E) considers the results of State, regional, or local transportation and highway safety planning processes;
(F) describes a program of projects or strategies to reduce or eliminate safety hazards;
(G) is approved by the Governor of the State or a responsible State agency; and
(H) is consistent with the requirements of section 135 (g).
(b) Program.— 

(1) In general.— 
The Secretary shall carry out a highway safety improvement program.
(2) Purpose.— 
The purpose of the highway safety improvement program shall be to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on public roads.
(c) Eligibility.— 

(1) In general.— 
To obligate funds apportioned under section 104 (b)(5) to carry out this section, a State shall have in effect a State highway safety improvement program under which the State
(A) develops and implements a State strategic highway safety plan that identifies and analyzes highway safety problems and opportunities as provided in paragraph (2);
(B) produces a program of projects or strategies to reduce identified safety problems;
(C) evaluates the plan on a regular basis to ensure the accuracy of the data and priority of proposed improvements; and
(D) submits to the Secretary an annual report that
(i) describes, in a clearly understandable fashion, not less than 5 percent of locations determined by the State, using criteria established in accordance with paragraph (2)(B)(ii), as exhibiting the most severe safety needs; and
(ii) contains an assessment of
(I) potential remedies to hazardous locations identified;
(II) estimated costs associated with those remedies; and
(III) impediments to implementation other than cost associated with those remedies.
(2) Identification and analysis of highway safety problems and opportunities.— 
As part of the State strategic highway safety plan, a State shall
(A) have in place a crash data system with the ability to perform safety problem identification and countermeasure analysis;
(B) based on the analysis required by subparagraph (A)
(i) identify hazardous locations, sections, and elements (including roadside obstacles, railway-highway crossing needs, and unmarked or poorly marked roads) that constitute a danger to motorists (including motorcyclists), bicyclists, pedestrians, and other highway users; and
(ii) using such criteria as the State determines to be appropriate, establish the relative severity of those locations, in terms of accidents, injuries, deaths, traffic volume levels, and other relevant data;
(C) adopt strategic and performance-based goals that
(i) address traffic safety, including behavioral and infrastructure problems and opportunities on all public roads;
(ii) focus resources on areas of greatest need; and
(iii) are coordinated with other State highway safety programs;
(D) advance the capabilities of the State for traffic records data collection, analysis, and integration with other sources of safety data (such as road inventories) in a manner that
(i) complements the State highway safety program under chapter 4 and the commercial vehicle safety plan under section 31102 of title 49;
(ii) includes all public roads;
(iii) identifies hazardous locations, sections, and elements on public roads that constitute a danger to motorists (including motorcyclists), bicyclists, pedestrians, the disabled, and other highway users; and
(iv) includes a means of identifying the relative severity of hazardous locations described in clause (iii) in terms of accidents, injuries, deaths, and traffic volume levels;
(E) 
(i) determine priorities for the correction of hazardous road locations, sections, and elements (including railway-highway crossing improvements), as identified through crash data analysis;
(ii) identify opportunities for preventing the development of such hazardous conditions; and
(iii) establish and implement a schedule of highway safety improvement projects for hazard correction and hazard prevention; and
(F) 
(i) establish an evaluation process to analyze and assess results achieved by highway safety improvement projects carried out in accordance with procedures and criteria established by this section; and
(ii) use the information obtained under clause (i) in setting priorities for highway safety improvement projects.
(d) Eligible Projects.— 

(1) In general.— 
A State may obligate funds apportioned to the State under section 104 (b)(5) to carry out
(A) any highway safety improvement project on any public road or publicly owned bicycle or pedestrian pathway or trail; or
(B) as provided in subsection (e), other safety projects.
(2) Use of other funding for safety.— 

(A) Effect of section.— 
Nothing in this section prohibits the use of funds made available under other provisions of this title for highway safety improvement projects.
(B) Use of other funds.— 
States are encouraged to address the full scope of their safety needs and opportunities by using funds made available under other provisions of this title (except a provision that specifically prohibits that use).
(e) Flexible Funding for States With a Strategic Highway Safety Plan.— 

(1) In general.— 
To further the implementation of a State strategic highway safety plan, a State may use up to 10 percent of the amount of funds apportioned to the State under section 104 (b)(5) for a fiscal year to carry out safety projects under any other section as provided in the State strategic highway safety plan if the State certifies that
(A) the State has met needs in the State relating to railway-highway crossings; and
(B) the State has met the States infrastructure safety needs relating to highway safety improvement projects.
(2) Other transportation and highway safety plans.— 
Nothing in this subsection requires a State to revise any State process, plan, or program in effect on the date of enactment of this section.
(f) High Risk Rural Roads.— 

(1) In general.— 
After making an apportionment under section 104 (b)(5) for a fiscal year beginning after September 30, 2005, the Secretary shall ensure, from amounts made available to carry out this section for such fiscal year, that a total of $90,000,000 of such apportionment is set aside by the States, proportionally according to the share of each State of the total amount so apportioned, for use only for construction and operational improvements on high risk rural roads.
(2) Special rule.— 
A State may use funds apportioned to the State pursuant to this subsection for any project under this section if the State certifies to the Secretary that the State has met all of State needs for construction and operational improvements on high risk rural roads.
(g) Reports.— 

(1) In general.— 
A State shall submit to the Secretary a report that
(A) describes progress being made to implement highway safety improvement projects under this section;
(B) assesses the effectiveness of those improvements; and
(C) describes the extent to which the improvements funded under this section contribute to the goals of
(i) reducing the number of fatalities on roadways;
(ii) reducing the number of roadway-related injuries;
(iii) reducing the occurrences of roadway-related crashes;
(iv) mitigating the consequences of roadway-related crashes; and
(v) reducing the occurrences of crashes at railway-highway crossings.
(2) Contents; schedule.— 
The Secretary shall establish the content and schedule for a report under paragraph (1).
(3) Transparency.— 
The Secretary shall make reports submitted under subsection (c)(1)(D) available to the public through
(A) the Web site of the Department; and
(B) such other means as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(4) Discovery and admission into evidence of certain reports, surveys, and information.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, reports, surveys, schedules, lists, or data compiled or collected for any purpose directly relating to paragraph (1) or subsection (c)(1)(D), or published by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (3), shall not be subject to discovery or admitted into evidence in a Federal or State court proceeding or considered for other purposes in any action for damages arising from any occurrence at a location identified or addressed in such reports, surveys, schedules, lists, or other data.
(h) Federal Share of Highway Safety Improvement Projects.— 
Except as provided in sections 120 and 130, the Federal share of the cost of a highway safety improvement project carried out with funds apportioned to a State under section 104 (b)(5) shall be 90 percent.

23 USC 149 - Congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program

(a) Establishment.— 
The Secretary shall establish and implement a congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program in accordance with this section.
(b) Eligible Projects.— 
Except as provided in subsection (c), a State may obligate funds apportioned to it under section 104 (b)(2) for the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program only for a transportation project or program if the project or program is for an area in the State that is or was designated as a nonattainment area for ozone, carbon monoxide, or particulate matter under section 107(d) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7407 (d)) and classified pursuant to section 181(a), 186(a), 188(a), or 188(b) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7511 (a), 7512 (a), 7513 (a), or 7513 (b)) or is or was designated as a nonattainment area under such section 107 (d) after December 31, 1997, or is required to prepare, and file with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, maintenance plans under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) and
(1) 
(A) 
(i) if the Secretary, after consultation with the Administrator determines, on the basis of information published by the Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to section 108(f)(1)(A) of the Clean Air Act (other than clause (xvi)) that the project or program is likely to contribute to
(I) the attainment of a national ambient air quality standard; or
(II) the maintenance of a national ambient air quality standard in a maintenance area; and
(ii) a high level of effectiveness in reducing air pollution, in cases of projects or programs where sufficient information is available in the database established pursuant to subsection (h) to determine the relative effectiveness of such projects or programs; or,
(B) in any case in which such information is not available, if the Secretary, after such consultation, determines that the project or program is part of a program, method, or strategy described in such section 108 (f)(1)(A);
(2) if the project or program is included in a State implementation plan that has been approved pursuant to the Clean Air Act and the project will have air quality benefits;
(3) the Secretary, after consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, determines that the project or program is likely to contribute to the attainment of a national ambient air quality standard, whether through reductions in vehicle miles traveled, fuel consumption, or through other factors;
(4) to establish or operate a traffic monitoring, management, and control facility or program, including advanced truck stop electrification systems, if the Secretary, after consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, determines that the facility or program is likely to contribute to the attainment of a national ambient air quality standard;
(5) if the program or project improves traffic flow, including projects to improve signalization, construct high occupancy vehicle lanes, improve intersections, improve transportation systems management and operations that mitigate congestion and improve air quality, and implement intelligent transportation system strategies and such other projects that are eligible for assistance under this section on the day before the date of enactment of this paragraph;
(6) if the project or program involves the purchase of integrated, interoperable emergency communications equipment; or
(7) if the project or program is for
(A) the purchase of diesel retrofits that are
(i) for motor vehicles (as defined in section 216 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7550)); or
(ii) published in the list under subsection (f)(2) for non-road vehicles and non-road engines (as defined in section 216 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7550)) that are used in construction projects that are
(I) located in nonattainment or maintenance areas for ozone, PM10, or PM2.5 (as defined under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.)); and
(II) funded, in whole or in part, under this title; or
(B) the conduct of outreach activities that are designed to provide information and technical assistance to the owners and operators of diesel equipment and vehicles regarding the purchase and installation of diesel retrofits.

No funds may be provided under this section for a project which will result in the construction of new capacity available to single occupant vehicles unless the project consists of a high occupancy vehicle facility available to single occupant vehicles only at other than peak travel times. In areas of a State which are nonattainment for ozone or carbon monoxide, or both, and for PM10 resulting from transportation activities, the State may obligate such funds for any project or program under paragraph (1) or (2) without regard to any limitation of the Department of Transportation relating to the type of ambient air quality standard such project or program addresses.

(c) States Receiving Minimum Apportionment.— 

(1) States without a nonattainment area.— 
If a State does not have, and never has had, a nonattainment area designated under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.), the State may use funds apportioned to the State under section 104 (b)(2) for any project in the State that
(A) would otherwise be eligible under this section as if the project were carried out in a nonattainment or maintenance area; or
(B) is eligible under the surface transportation program under section 133.
(2) States with a nonattainment area.— 
If a State has a nonattainment area or maintenance area and receives funds under section 104 (b)(2)(D) above the amount of funds that the State would have received based on its nonattainment and maintenance area population under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 104 (b)(2), the State may use that portion of the funds not based on its nonattainment and maintenance area population under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 104 (b)(2) for any project in the State that
(A) would otherwise be eligible under this section as if the project were carried out in a nonattainment or maintenance area; or
(B) is eligible under the surface transportation program under section 133.
(d) Applicability of Planning Requirements.— 
Programming and expenditure of funds for projects under this section shall be consistent with the requirements of sections 134 and 135 of this title.
(e) Partnerships With Nongovernmental Entities.— 

(1) In general.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this title and in accordance with this subsection, a metropolitan planning organization, State transportation department, or other project sponsor may enter into an agreement with any public, private, or nonprofit">nonprofit entity to cooperatively implement any project carried out under this section.
(2) Forms of participation by entities.— 
Participation by an entity under paragraph (1) may consist of
(A) ownership or operation of any land, facility, vehicle, or other physical asset associated with the project;
(B) cost sharing of any project expense;
(C) carrying out of administration, construction management, project management, project operation, or any other management or operational duty associated with the project; and
(D) any other form of participation approved by the Secretary.
(3) Allocation to entities.— 
A State may allocate funds apportioned under section 104 (b)(2) to an entity described in paragraph (1).
(4) Alternative fuel projects.— 
In the case of a project that will provide for the use of alternative fuels by privately owned vehicles or vehicle fleets, activities eligible for funding under this subsection
(A) may include the costs of vehicle refueling infrastructure, including infrastructure that would support the development, production, and use of emerging technologies that reduce emissions of air pollutants from motor vehicles, and other capital investments associated with the project;
(B) shall include only the incremental cost of an alternative fueled vehicle, as compared to a conventionally fueled vehicle, that would otherwise be borne by a private party; and
(C) shall apply other governmental financial purchase contributions in the calculation of net incremental cost.
(5) Prohibition on federal participation with respect to required activities.— 
A Federal participation payment under this subsection may not be made to an entity to fund an obligation imposed under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) or any other Federal law.
(f) Cost-Effective Emission Reduction Guidance.— 

(1) Definitions.— 
In this subsection, the following definitions apply:
(A) Administrator.— 
The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(B) Diesel retrofit.— 
The term diesel retrofit means a replacement, repowering, rebuilding, after treatment, or other technology, as determined by the Administrator.
(2) Emission reduction guidance.— 
The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, shall publish a list of diesel retrofit technologies and supporting technical information for
(A) diesel emission reduction technologies certified or verified by the Administrator, the California Air Resources Board, or any other entity recognized by the Administrator for the same purpose;
(B) diesel emission reduction technologies identified by the Administrator as having an application and approvable test plan for verification by the Administrator or the California Air Resources Board that is submitted not later that 18 months of the date of enactment of this subsection;
(C) available information regarding the emission reduction effectiveness and cost effectiveness of technologies identified in this paragraph, taking into consideration air quality and health effects.
(3) Priority.— 

(A) In general.— 
States and metropolitan planning organizations shall give priority in distributing funds received for congestion mitigation and air quality projects and programs from apportionments derived from application of sections 104 (b)(2)(B) and 104 (b)(2)(C) to
(i) diesel retrofits, particularly where necessary to facilitate contract compliance, and other cost-effective emission reduction activities, taking into consideration air quality and health effects; and
(ii) cost-effective congestion mitigation activities that provide air quality benefits.
(B) Savings.— 
This paragraph is not intended to disturb the existing authorities and roles of governmental agencies in making final project selections.
(4) No effect on authority or restrictions.— 
Nothing in this subsection modifies or otherwise affects any authority or restriction established under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) or any other law (other than provisions of this title relating to congestion mitigation and air quality).
(g) Interagency Consultation.— 
The Secretary shall encourage States and metropolitan planning organizations to consult with State and local air quality agencies in nonattainment and maintenance areas on the estimated emission reductions from proposed congestion mitigation and air quality improvement programs and projects.
(h) Evaluation and Assessment of Projects.— 

(1) In general.— 
The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall evaluate and assess a representative sample of projects funded under the congestion mitigation and air quality program to
(A) determine the direct and indirect impact of the projects on air quality and congestion levels; and
(B) ensure the effective implementation of the program.
(2) Database.— 
Using appropriate assessments of projects funded under the congestion mitigation and air quality program and results from other research, the Secretary shall maintain and disseminate a cumulative database describing the impacts of the projects.
(3) Consideration.— 
The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator, shall consider the recommendations and findings of the report submitted to Congress under section 1110(e) of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (112 Stat. 144), including recommendations and findings that would improve the operation and evaluation of the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program.

23 USC 150 - Repealed. Pub. L. 105178, title I, 1103(l)(5), as added Pub. L. 105206, title IX, 9002(c)(1), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 834]

Section, added Pub. L. 93–87, title I, § 157(a), Aug. 13, 1973, 87 Stat. 277; amended Pub. L. 97–424, title I, § 124, Jan. 6, 1983, 96 Stat. 2113, related to allocation of urban system funds.

23 USC 151 - National bridge inspection program

(a) National Bridge Inspection Standards.— 
The Secretary, in consultation with the State transportation departments and interested and knowledgeable private organizations and individuals, shall establish national bridge inspection standards for the proper safety inspection and evaluation of all highway bridges.
(b) Minimum Requirements of Inspection Standards.— 
The standards established under subsection (a) shall, at a minimum
(1) specify, in detail, the method by which such inspections shall be carried out by the States;
(2) establish the maximum time period between inspections;
(3) establish the qualification for those charged with carrying out the inspections;
(4) require each State to maintain and make available to the Secretary upon request
(A) written reports on the results of highway bridge inspections together with notations of any action taken pursuant to the findings of such inspections; and
(B) current inventory data for all highway bridges reflecting the findings of the most recent highway bridge inspections conducted; and
(5) establish a procedure for national certification of highway bridge inspectors.
(c) Training Program for Bridge Inspectors.— 
The Secretary, in cooperation with the State transportation departments, shall establish a program designed to train appropriate governmental employees to carry out highway bridge inspections. Such training program shall be revised from time to time to take into account new and improved techniques.
(d) Availability of Funds.— 
To carry out this section, the Secretary may use funds made available pursuant to the provisions of section 104 (a), section 502, and section 144 of this title.

23 USC 152 - Hazard elimination program

(a) In General.— 

(1) Program.— 
Each State shall conduct and systematically maintain an engineering survey of all public roads to identify hazardous locations, sections, and elements, including roadside obstacles and unmarked or poorly marked roads, which may constitute a danger to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, assign priorities for the correction of such locations, sections, and elements, and establish and implement a schedule of projects for their improvement.
(2) Hazards.— 
In carrying out paragraph (1), a State may, at its discretion
(A) identify, through a survey, hazards to motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and users of highway facilities; and
(B) develop and implement projects and programs to address the hazards.
(b) The Secretary may approve as a project under this section any safety improvement project, including a project described in subsection (a).
(c) Funds authorized to carry out this section shall be available for expenditure on
(1) any public road;
(2) any public surface transportation facility or any publicly owned bicycle or pedestrian pathway or trail; or
(3) any traffic calming measure.
(d) The Federal share payable on account of any project under this section shall be 90 percent of the cost thereof.
(e) Funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section shall be available for obligation in the same manner and to the same extent as if such funds were apportioned under section 104 (b), except that the Secretary is authorized to waive provisions he deems inconsistent with the purposes of this section.
(f) Each State shall establish an evaluation process approved by the Secretary, to analyze and assess results achieved by safety improvement projects carried out in accordance with procedures and criteria established by this section. Such evaluation process shall develop cost-benefit data for various types of corrections and treatments which shall be used in setting priorities for safety improvement projects.
(g) Each State shall report to the Secretary of Transportation not later than December 30 of each year, on the progress being made to implement safety improvement projects for hazard elimination and the effectiveness of such improvements. Each State report shall contain an assessment of the cost of, and safety benefits derived from, the various means and methods used to mitigate or eliminate hazards and the previous and subsequent accident experience at these locations. The Secretary of Transportation shall submit a report to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives not later than April 1 of each year on the progress being made by the States in implementing the hazard elimination program (including but not limited to any projects for pavement marking). The report shall include, but not be limited to, the number of projects undertaken, their distribution by cost range, road system, means and methods used, and the previous and subsequent accident experience at improved locations. In addition, the Secretarys report shall analyze and evaluate each State program, identify any State found not to be in compliance with the schedule of improvements required by subsection (a) and include recommendations for future implementation of the hazard elimination program.
(h) For the purposes of this section the term State shall have the meaning given it in section 401 of this title.

23 USC 153 - Use of safety belts and motorcycle helmets

(a) Authority To Make Grants.— 
The Secretary may make grants to a State in a fiscal year in accordance with this section if the State has in effect in such fiscal year
(1) a law which makes unlawful throughout the State the operation of a motorcycle if any individual on the motorcycle is not wearing a motorcycle helmet; and
(2) a law which makes unlawful throughout the State the operation of a passenger vehicle whenever an individual in a front seat of the vehicle (other than a child who is secured in a child restraint system) does not have a safety belt properly fastened about the individuals body.
(b) Use of Grants.— 
A grant made to a State under this section shall be used to adopt and implement a traffic safety program to carry out the following purposes:
(1) Education.— 
To educate the public about motorcycle and passenger vehicle safety and motorcycle helmet, safety belt, and child restraint system use and to involve public health education agencies and other related agencies in these efforts.
(2) Training.— 
To train law enforcement officers in the enforcement of State laws described in subsection (a).
(3) Monitoring.— 
To monitor the rate of compliance with State laws described in subsection (a).
(4) Enforcement.— 
To enforce State laws described in subsection (a).
(c) Maintenance of Effort.— 
A grant may not be made to a State under this section in any fiscal year unless the State enters into such agreements with the Secretary as the Secretary may require to ensure that the State will maintain its aggregate expenditures from all other sources for any traffic safety program described in subsection (b) at or above the average level of such expenditures in the States 2 fiscal years preceding the date of the enactment of this section.
(d) Federal Share.— 
A State may not receive a grant under this section in more than 3 fiscal years. The Federal share payable for a grant under this section shall not exceed
(1) in the first fiscal year the State receives a grant, 75 percent of the cost of implementing in such fiscal year a traffic safety program described in subsection (b);
(2) in the second fiscal year the State receives a grant, 50 percent of the cost of implementing in such fiscal year such traffic safety program; and
(3) in the third fiscal year the State receives a grant, 25 percent of the cost of implementing in such fiscal year such traffic safety program.
(e) Maximum Aggregate Amount of Grants.— 
The aggregate amount of grants made to a State under this section shall not exceed 90 percent of the amount apportioned to such State for fiscal year 1990 under section 402.
(f) Eligibility for Grants.— 

(1) General rule.— 
A State is eligible in a fiscal year for a grant under this section only if the State enters into such agreements with the Secretary as the Secretary may require to ensure that the State implements in such fiscal year a traffic safety program described in subsection (b).
(2) Second-year grants.— 
A State is eligible for a grant under this section in a fiscal year succeeding the first fiscal year in which a State receives a grant under this section only if the State in the preceding fiscal year
(A) had in effect at all times a State law described in subsection (a)(1) and achieved a rate of compliance with such law of not less than 75 percent; and
(B) had in effect at all times a State law described in subsection (a)(2) and achieved a rate of compliance with such law of not less than 50 percent.
(3) Third-year grants.— 
A State is eligible for a grant under this section in a fiscal year succeeding the second fiscal year in which a State receives a grant under this section only if the State in the preceding fiscal year
(A) had in effect at all times a State law described in subsection (a)(1) and achieved a rate of compliance with such law of not less than 85 percent; and
(B) had in effect at all times a State law described in subsection (a)(2) and achieved a rate of compliance with such law of not less than 70 percent.
(g) Measurements of Rates of Compliance.— 
For the purposes of subsections (f)(2) and (f)(3), a State shall measure compliance with State laws described in subsection (a) using methods which conform to guidelines issued by the Secretary ensuring that such measurements are accurate and representative.
(h) Penalty.— 

(1) Fiscal year 1994.— 
If, at any time in fiscal year 1994, a State does not have in effect a law described in subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall transfer 11/2 percent of the funds apportioned to the State for fiscal year 1995 under each of subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of section 104 of this title to the apportionment of the State under section 402 of this title.
(2) Thereafter.— 
If, at any time in a fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1994, a State does not have in effect a law described in subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall transfer 3 percent of the funds apportioned to the State for the succeeding fiscal year under each of subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of section 104 of this title to the apportionment of the State under section 402 of this title.
(3) Federal share.— 
The Federal share of the cost of any project carried out under section 402 with funds transferred to the apportionment of section 402 shall be 100 percent.
(4) Transfer of obligation authority.— 
If the Secretary transfers under this subsection any funds to the apportionment of a State under section 402 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall allocate an amount of obligation authority distributed for such fiscal year to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs for carrying out only projects under section 402 which is determined by multiplying
(A) the amount of funds transferred to the apportionment of section 402 of the State under section 402 for such fiscal year; by
(B) the ratio of the amount of obligation authority distributed for such fiscal year to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs to the total of the sums apportioned to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction (excluding sums not subject to any obligation limitation) for such fiscal year.
(5) Limitation on applicability of highway safety obligations.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no limitation on the total of obligations for highway safety programs carried out by the Federal Highway Administration under section 402 shall apply to funds transferred under this subsection to the apportionment of section 402.
(i) Definitions.— 
For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) Motorcycle.— 
The term motorcycle means a motor vehicle which is designed to travel on not more than 3 wheels in contact with the surface.
(2) Motor vehicle.— 
The term motor vehicle has the meaning such term has under section 1541 of this title.
(3) Passenger vehicle.— 
The term passenger vehicle means a motor vehicle which is designed for transporting 10 individuals or less, including the driver, except that such term does not include a vehicle which is constructed on a truck chassis, a motorcycle, a trailer, or any motor vehicle which is not required on the date of the enactment of this section under a Federal motor vehicle safety standard to be equipped with a belt system.
(4) Safety belt.— 
The term safety belt means
(A) with respect to open-body passenger vehicles, including convertibles, an occupant restraint system consisting of a lap belt or a lap belt and a detachable shoulder belt; and
(B) with respect to other passenger vehicles, an occupant restraint system consisting of integrated lap shoulder belts.
(j) Authorization of Appropriations.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to carry out this section $17,000,000 for fiscal year 1992. From sums made available to carry out section 402 of this title, the Secretary shall make available $17,000,000 for fiscal year 1992 and $24,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1993 and 1994 to carry out this section.
(k) Applicability of Chapter 1 Provisions.— 
All provisions of this chapter that are applicable to National Highway System funds, other than provisions relating to the apportionment formula and provisions limiting the expenditures of such funds to Federal-aid systems, shall apply to funds authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, except as determined by the Secretary to be inconsistent with this section and except that sums authorized by this section shall remain available until expended.
[1] See References in Text note below.

23 USC 154 - Open container requirements

(a) Definitions.— 
In this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) Alcoholic beverage.— 
The term alcoholic beverage has the meaning given the term in section 158 (c).
(2) Motor vehicle.— 
The term motor vehicle means a vehicle driven or drawn by mechanical power and manufactured primarily for use on public highways, but does not include a vehicle operated exclusively on a rail or rails.
(3) Open alcoholic beverage container.— 
The term open alcoholic beverage container means any bottle, can, or other receptacle
(A) that contains any amount of alcoholic beverage; and
(B) 
(i) that is open or has a broken seal; or
(ii) the contents of which are partially removed.
(4) Passenger area.— 
The term passenger area shall have the meaning given the term by the Secretary by regulation.
(b) Open Container Laws.— 

(1) In general.— 
For the purposes of this section, each State shall have in effect a law that prohibits the possession of any open alcoholic beverage container, or the consumption of any alcoholic beverage, in the passenger area of any motor vehicle (including possession or consumption by the driver of the vehicle) located on a public highway, or the right-of-way of a public highway, in the State.
(2) Motor vehicles designed to transport many passengers.— 
For the purposes of this section, if a State has in effect a law that makes unlawful the possession of any open alcoholic beverage container by the driver (but not by a passenger)
(A) in the passenger area of a motor vehicle designed, maintained, or used primarily for the transportation of persons for compensation; or
(B) in the living quarters of a house coach or house trailer, the State shall be deemed to have in effect a law described in this subsection with respect to such a motor vehicle for each fiscal year during which the law is in effect.
(c) Transfer of Funds.— 

(1) Fiscal years 2001 and 2002.— 
On October 1, 2000, and October 1, 2001, if a State has not enacted or is not enforcing an open container law described in subsection (b), the Secretary shall transfer an amount equal to 11/2 percent of the funds apportioned to the State on that date under each of paragraphs (1), (3), and (4) of section 104 (b) to the apportionment of the State under section 402
(A) to be used for alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures; or
(B) to be directed to State and local law enforcement agencies for enforcement of laws prohibiting driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence and other related laws (including regulations), including the purchase of equipment, the training of officers, and the use of additional personnel for specific alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures, dedicated to enforcement of the laws (including regulations).
(2) Fiscal year 2003 and fiscal years thereafter.— 
On October 1, 2002, and each October 1 thereafter, if a State has not enacted or is not enforcing an open container law described in subsection (b), the Secretary shall transfer an amount equal to 3 percent of the funds apportioned to the State on that date under each of paragraphs (1), (3), and (4) of section 104 (b) to the apportionment of the State under section 402 to be used or directed as described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1).
(3) Use for hazard elimination program.— 
A State may elect to use all or a portion of the funds transferred under paragraph (1) or (2) for activities eligible under section 148.
(4) Federal share.— 
The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out with funds transferred under paragraph (1) or (2), or used under paragraph (3), shall be 100 percent.
(5) Derivation of amount to be transferred.— 
The amount to be transferred under paragraph (1) or (2) may be derived from one or more of the following:
(A) The apportionment of the State under section 104 (b)(1).
(B) The apportionment of the State under section 104 (b)(3).
(C) The apportionment of the State under section 104 (b)(4).
(6) Transfer of obligation authority.— 

(A) In general.— 
If the Secretary transfers under this subsection any funds to the apportionment of a State under section 402 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall transfer an amount, determined under subparagraph (B), of obligation authority distributed for the fiscal year to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs for carrying out projects under section 402.
(B) Amount.— 
The amount of obligation authority referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be determined by multiplying
(i) the amount of funds transferred under subparagraph (A) to the apportionment of the State under section 402 for the fiscal year, by
(ii) the ratio that
(I) the amount of obligation authority distributed for the fiscal year to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs, bears to
(II) the total of the sums apportioned to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs (excluding sums not subject to any obligation limitation) for the fiscal year.
(7) Limitation on applicability of obligation limitation.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no limitation on the total of obligations for highway safety programs under section 402 shall apply to funds transferred under this subsection to the apportionment of a State under such section.

23 USC 155 - Access highways to public recreation areas on certain lakes

(a) The Secretary is authorized to construct or reconstruct access highways to public recreation areas on lakes in order to accommodate present and projected traffic density. The Secretary shall develop guidelines and standards for the designation of routes and the allocation of funds for the purpose of this section which shall include the following criteria:
(1) No portion of any access highway constructed or reconstructed under this section shall exceed thirty-five miles in length nor shall any portion of such highway be located more than thirty-five miles from the nearest part of such recreation area.
(2) Routes shall be designated by the Secretary on the recommendation of the State and responsible local officials, after consultation with the head of the Federal agency (if any) having jurisdiction over the public recreation area involved.
(b) The Federal share payable on account of any project authorized pursuant to this section shall not exceed 75 per centum of the cost of construction or reconstruction of such project.
(c) All of the provisions of this title applicable to highways on the Federal-aid system (other than the Interstate System) determined appropriate by the Secretary, except those provisions which the Secretary determines are inconsistent with this section, shall apply to any highway designated under this section which is not a part of the Federal-aid system when so designated.
(d) For the purpose of this section the term lake means any lake, reservoir, pool, or other body of water resulting from the construction of any lock, dam, or similar structure by the Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, or the Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior, or the Tennessee Valley Authority, and any multipurpose lake resulting from construction assistance of the Soil Conservation Service, Department of Agriculture. This section shall apply to lakes heretofore or hereafter constructed or authorized for construction.
(e) There is authorized to be appropriated not to exceed $25,000,000 for the fiscal year 1976 to carry out this section. Amounts authorized by this subsection for a fiscal year shall be available for that fiscal year and for the two succeeding fiscal years.

23 USC 156 - Proceeds from the sale or lease of real property

(a) Minimum Charge.— 
Subject to section 142 (f), a State shall charge, at a minimum, fair market value for the sale, use, lease, or lease renewal (other than for utility use and occupancy or for a transportation project eligible for assistance under this title) of real property acquired with Federal assistance made available from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account).
(b) Exceptions.— 
The Secretary may grant an exception to the requirement of subsection (a) for a social, environmental, or economic purpose.
(c) Use of Federal Share of Income.— 
The Federal share of net income from the revenues obtained by a State under subsection (a) shall be used by the State for projects eligible under this title.

23 USC 157 - Safety incentive grants for use of seat belts

(a) Definitions.— 
In this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) Motor vehicle.— 
The term motor vehicle means a vehicle driven or drawn by mechanical power and manufactured primarily for use on public highways, but does not include a vehicle operated solely on a rail line.
(2) Multipurpose passenger motor vehicle.— 
The term multipurpose passenger motor vehicle means a motor vehicle with motive power (except a trailer), designed to carry not more than 10 individuals, that is constructed on a truck chassis or is constructed with special features for occasional off-road operation.
(3) National average seat belt use rate.— 
The term national average seat belt use rate means, in the case of each of calendar years 1996 through 2003, the national average seat belt use rate for that year, as determined by the Secretary.
(4) Passenger car.— 
The term passenger car means a motor vehicle with motive power (except a multipurpose passenger motor vehicle, motorcycle, or trailer) designed to carry not more than 10 individuals.
(5) Passenger motor vehicle.— 
The term passenger motor vehicle means a passenger car or a multipurpose passenger motor vehicle.
(6) Savings to the federal government.— 
The term savings to the Federal Government means the amount of Federal budget savings relating to Federal medical costs (including savings under the medicare and medicaid programs under titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.)), as determined by the Secretary.
(7) Seat belt.— 
The term seat belt means
(A) with respect to an open-body passenger motor vehicle, including a convertible, an occupant restraint system consisting of a lap belt or a lap belt and a detachable shoulder belt; and
(B) with respect to any other passenger motor vehicle, an occupant restraint system consisting of integrated lap and shoulder belts.
(8) State seat belt use rate.— 
The term State seat belt use rate means the rate of use of seat belts in passenger motor vehicles in a State, as measured and submitted to the Secretary
(A) for each of calendar years 1996 and 1997, by the State, as weighted by the Secretary to ensure national consistency in methods of measurement (as determined by the Secretary); and
(B) for each of calendar years 1998 through 2003, by the State in a manner consistent with the criteria established by the Secretary under subsection (e).
(b) Determinations by the Secretary.— 
Not later than September 1, 1998, and September 1 of each calendar year thereafter through September 1, 2005, the Secretary shall determine
(1) 
(A) which States had, for each of the previous calendar years (in this subsection referred to as the previous calendar year) and the year preceding the previous calendar year, a State seat belt use rate greater than the national average seat belt use rate for that year; and
(B) in the case of each State described in subparagraph (A), the amount that is equal to the savings to the Federal Government due to the amount by which the State seat belt use rate for the previous calendar year exceeds the national average seat belt use rate for that year; and
(2) in the case of each State that is not a State described in paragraph (1)(A)
(A) the base seat belt use rate of the State, which shall be equal to the highest State seat belt use rate for the State for any calendar year during the period of 1996 through the calendar year preceding the previous calendar year; and
(B) the amount that is equal to the savings to the Federal Government due to any increase in the State seat belt use rate for the previous calendar year over the base seat belt use rate determined under subparagraph (A).
(c) Allocations.— 

(1) States with greater than the national average seat belt use rate.— 
Not later than October 1, 1998, and each October 1 thereafter through October 1, 2004, the Secretary shall allocate to each State described in subsection (b)(1)(A) an amount equal to the amount determined for the State under subsection (b)(1)(B).
(2) Other states.— 
Not later than October 1, 1998, and each October 1 thereafter through October 1, 2004, the Secretary shall allocate to each State described in subsection (b)(2) an amount equal to the amount determined for the State under subsection (b)(2)(B).
(d) Use of Amounts.— 
For each fiscal year, each State that is allocated an amount under this section shall use the amount for projects eligible for assistance under this title.
(e) Criteria.— 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish criteria for the measurement of State seat belt use rates by States to ensure that the measurements are accurate and representative.
(f) Innovative Seat Belt Project Allocations.— 

(1) In general.— 
The Secretary shall use amounts made available under subsection (g)(3) to make allocations to States to carry out innovative projects to promote increased seat belt use rates.
(2) Determination of eligibility.— 
To be eligible to receive an allocation under this subsection for a fiscal year, a State shall
(A) develop a plan for innovative projects described in paragraph (1); and
(B) submit the plan to the Secretary not later than March 1 of the fiscal year.
(3) Plan selection.— 

(A) Criteria.— 
Not later than December 1, 1998, the Secretary shall establish criteria for the selection of State plans for allocations under this subsection.
(B) Selection.— 
The Secretary shall select State plans for allocations under this subsection in accordance with the criteria established under subparagraph (A).
(C) States.— 
In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, demographic and geographic diversity and a diversity of seat belt use rates among the States selected for allocations.
(4) Allocation.— 
Not later than October 1, 1999, and each October 1 thereafter through October 1, 2004, the Secretary shall allocate funds to the States whose plans were selected under paragraph (3).
(5) Amount of allocations.— 
Subject to the availability of unallocated amounts under subsection (g)(3), the amount of each allocation to a State under this subsection shall be not less than $100,000 for each fiscal year that is covered by a State plan.
(6) Use of allocations.— 
An allocation to a State under this subsection shall be used to carry out the innovative seat belt projects described in the State plan for which the allocation is awarded.
(7) Federal share.— 
The Federal share of the cost of an innovative seat belt project under this section shall be 100 percent.
(8) Period of availability.— 
Amounts allocated to a State under this subsection shall remain available for obligation in the State for a period of 3 years after the last day of the fiscal year for which the amounts are allocated.
(g) Funding.— 

(1) In general.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated from the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to carry out this section $82,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, $92,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, $102,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, $112,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, $112,000,000 for fiscal year 2003, $112,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, and $112,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.
(2) Proportionate adjustment.— 
If the total amounts to be allocated under subsection (c) for any fiscal year would exceed the amounts authorized for the fiscal year under paragraph (1), the allocation to each State under subsection (c) shall be reduced proportionately.
(3) Use of unallocated funds.— 

(A) Fiscal year 1999.— 
To the extent that the amounts made available for fiscal year 1999 under paragraph (1) exceed the total amounts to be allocated under subsection (c) for fiscal year 1999, the excess amounts
(i) shall be apportioned in accordance with section 104 (b)(3);
(ii) shall be considered to be sums made available for expenditure on the surface transportation program, except that the amounts shall not be subject to section 133 (d); and
(iii) shall be available for any purpose eligible for funding under section 133.
(B) Fiscal years 2000 through 2005.— 
To the extent that the amounts made available for any of fiscal years 2000 through 2005 under paragraph (1) exceed the total amounts to be allocated under subsection (c) for the fiscal year, the excess amounts shall be used to make allocations under subsection (f).

23 USC 158 - National minimum drinking age

(a) Withholding of Funds for Noncompliance.— 

(1) In general.— 
The Secretary shall withhold 10 per centum of the amount required to be apportioned to any State under each of sections 104 (b)(1), 104 (b)(3), and 104 (b)(4) of this title on the first day of each fiscal year after the second fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1985, in which the purchase or public possession in such State of any alcoholic beverage by a person who is less than twenty-one years of age is lawful.
(2) State grandfather law as complying.— 
If, before the later of
(A)  October 1, 1986, or
(B)  the tenth day following the last day of the first session the legislature of a State convenes after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, such State has in effect a law which makes unlawful the purchase and public possession in such State of any alcoholic beverage by a person who is less than 21 years of age (other than any person who is 18 years of age or older on the day preceding the effective date of such law and at such time could lawfully purchase or publicly possess any alcoholic beverage in such State), such State shall be deemed to be in compliance with paragraph (1) in each fiscal year in which such law is in effect.
(b) Effect of Withholding of Funds.— 
No funds withheld under this section from apportionment to any State after September 30, 1988, shall be available for apportionment to that State.
(c) Alcoholic Beverage Defined.— 
As used in this section, the term alcoholic beverage means
(1) beer as defined in section 5052(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
(2) wine of not less than one-half of 1 per centum of alcohol by volume, or
(3) distilled spirits as defined in section 5002(a)(8) of such Code.

23 USC 159 - Revocation or suspension of drivers licenses of individuals convicted of drug offenses

(a) Withholding of Apportionments for Noncompliance.— 

(1) Beginning in fiscal year 1994.— 
For each fiscal year the Secretary shall withhold 5 percent of the amount required to be apportioned to any State under each of paragraphs (1), (3), and (5) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century) of section 104 (b) on the first day of each fiscal year which begins after the second calendar year following the effective date of this section if the State does not meet the requirements of paragraph (3) on such date.
(2) Beginning in fiscal year 1996.— 
The Secretary shall withhold 10 percent (including any amounts withheld under paragraph (1)) of the amount required to be apportioned to any State under each of paragraphs (1), (3), and (5) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century) of section 104 (b) on the first day of each fiscal year which begins after the fourth calendar year following the effective date of this section if the State does not meet the requirements of paragraph (3) on the first day of such fiscal year.
(3) Requirements.— 
A State meets the requirements of this paragraph if
(A) the State has enacted and is enforcing a law that requires in all circumstances, or requires in the absence of compelling circumstances warranting an exception
(i) the revocation, or suspension for at least 6 months, of the drivers license of any individual who is convicted, after the enactment of such law, of
(I) any violation of the Controlled Substances Act, or
(II) any drug offense; and
(ii) a delay in the issuance or reinstatement of a drivers license to such an individual for at least 6 months after the individual applies for the issuance or reinstatement of a drivers license if the individual does not have a drivers license, or the drivers license of the individual is suspended, at the time the individual is so convicted; or
(B) the Governor of the State
(i) submits to the Secretary no earlier than the adjournment sine die of the first regularly scheduled session of the States legislature which begins after the effective date of this section a written certification stating that the Governor is opposed to the enactment or enforcement in the State of a law described in subparagraph (A), relating to the revocation, suspension, issuance, or reinstatement of drivers licenses to convicted drug offenders; and
(ii) submits to the Secretary a written certification that the legislature (including both Houses where applicable) has adopted a resolution expressing its opposition to a law described in clause (i).
(b) Period of Availability; Effect of Compliance and Noncompliance.— 

(1) Period of availability of withheld funds.— 

(A) Funds withheld on or before september 30, 1995.— 
Any funds withheld under subsection (a) from apportionment to any State on or before September 30, 1995, shall remain available for apportionment to such State as follows:
(i) If such funds would have been apportioned under section 104 (b)(5)(A) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century) but for this section, such funds shall remain available until the end of the fiscal year for which such funds are authorized to be appropriated.
(ii) If such funds would have been apportioned under section 104 (b)(5)(B) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century) but for this section, such funds shall remain available until the end of the second fiscal year following the fiscal year for which such funds are authorized to be appropriated.
(iii) If such funds would have been apportioned under paragraph (1), (3), or (5) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century) of section 104 (b) but for this section, such funds shall remain available until the end of the third fiscal year following the fiscal year for which such funds are authorized to be appropriated.
(B) Funds withheld after september 30, 1995.— 
No funds withheld under this section from apportionment to any State after September 30, 1995, shall be available for apportionment to such State.
(2) Apportionment of withheld funds after compliance.— 
If, before the last day of the period for which funds withheld under subsection (a) from apportionment are to remain available for apportionment to a State under paragraph (1), the State meets the requirements of subsection (a)(3), the Secretary shall, on the first day on which the State meets the requirements of subsection (a)(3), apportion to the State the funds withheld under subsection (a) that remain available for apportionment to the State.
(3) Period of availability of subsequently apportioned funds.— 
Any funds apportioned pursuant to paragraph (2) shall remain available for expenditure as follows:
(A) Funds which would have been originally apportioned under section 104 (b)(5)(A) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century) shall remain available until the end of the fiscal year succeeding the fiscal year in which such funds are apportioned under paragraph (2).
(B) Funds which would have been originally apportioned under paragraph (1), (3), or (5)(B) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century) of section 104 (b) shall remain available until the end of the third fiscal year succeeding the fiscal year in which such funds are so apportioned.

Sums not obligated at the end of such period shall lapse or, in the case of funds apportioned under section 104 (b)(5) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century), shall lapse and be made available by the Secretary for projects in accordance with section 118 (b).

(4) Effect of noncompliance.— 
If, at the end of the period for which funds withheld under subsection (a) from apportionment are available for apportionment to a State under paragraph (1), the State does not meet the requirements of subsection (a)(3), such funds shall lapse or, in the case of funds withheld from apportionment under section 104 (b)(5) (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century), such funds shall lapse and be made available by the Secretary for projects in accordance with section 118 (b).
(c) Definitions.— 
For purposes of this section
(1) Driver’s license.— 
The term drivers license means a license issued by a State to any individual that authorizes the individual to operate a motor vehicle on highways.
(2) Drug offense.— 
The term drug offense means any criminal offense which proscribes
(A) the possession, distribution, manufacture, cultivation, sale, transfer, or the attempt or conspiracy to possess, distribute, manufacture, cultivate, sell, or transfer any substance the possession of which is prohibited under the Controlled Substances Act; or
(B) the operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of such a substance.
(3) Convicted.— 
The term convicted includes adjudicated under juvenile proceedings.

23 USC 160 - Reimbursement for segments of the Interstate System constructed without Federal assistance

(a) General Authority.— 
The Secretary shall allocate to the States in each of fiscal years 1996 and 1997 amounts determined under subsection (b) for reimbursement of their original contributions to construction of segments of the Interstate System which were constructed without Federal financial assistance.
(b) Determination of Reimbursement Amount.— 
The amount to be reimbursed to a State in each of fiscal years 1996 and 1997 under this section shall be determined by multiplying the amount made available for carrying out this section for such fiscal year by the reimbursement percentage set forth in the table contained in subsection (c).
(c) Reimbursement Table.— 
For purposes of carrying out this section, the reimbursement percentage, the original cost for constructing the Interstate System, and the total reimbursable amount for each State is set forth in the following table:
(d) Transfer of Reimbursable Amounts to STP Apportionment.— 
Subject to subsection (e) of this section, the Secretary shall transfer amounts allocated to a State pursuant to this section to the apportionment of such State under section 104 (b)(3) for the surface transportation program.
(e) Limitation on Applicability of Certain Requirements of STP Program.— 
The following provisions of section 133 of this title shall not apply to 1/2 of the amounts transferred under subsection (d) to the apportionment of the State for the surface transportation program:
(1) Subsection (d)(1).[1]
(2) Subsection (d)(2).
(3) Subsection (d)(3).
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated, out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account), $2,000,000,000 per fiscal year for each of fiscal years 1996 and 1997 to carryout this section.
[1] See References in Text note below.

23 USC 161 - Operation of motor vehicles by intoxicated minors

(a) Withholding of Apportionments for Noncompliance.— 

(1) Fiscal year 1999.— 
The Secretary shall withhold 5 percent of the amount required to be apportioned to any State under each of paragraphs (1), (3), and (4) of section 104 (b) on October 1, 1998, if the State does not meet the requirement of paragraph (3) on that date.
(2) Thereafter.— 
The Secretary shall withhold 10 percent (including any amounts withheld under paragraph (1)) of the amount required to be apportioned to any State under each of paragraphs (1), (3), and (4) of section 104 (b) on October 1, 1999, and on October 1 of each fiscal year thereafter, if the State does not meet the requirement of paragraph (3) on that date.
(3) Requirement.— 
A State meets the requirement of this paragraph if the State has enacted and is enforcing a law that considers an individual under the age of 21 who has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent or greater while operating a motor vehicle in the State to be driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of alcohol.
(b) Period of Availability; Effect of Compliance and Noncompliance.— 

(1) Period of availability of withheld funds.— 

(A) Funds withheld on or before september 30, 2000.— 
Any funds withheld under subsection (a) from apportionment to any State on or before September 30, 2000, shall remain available until the end of the third fiscal year following the fiscal year for which the funds are authorized to be appropriated.
(B) Funds withheld after september 30, 2000.— 
No funds withheld under this section from apportionment to any State after September 30, 2000, shall be available for apportionment to the State.
(2) Apportionment of withheld funds after compliance.— 
If, before the last day of the period for which funds withheld under subsection (a) from apportionment are to remain available for apportionment to a State under paragraph (1), the State meets the requirement of subsection (a)(3), the Secretary shall, on the first day on which the State meets the requirement, apportion to the State the funds withheld under subsection (a) that remain available for apportionment to the State.
(3) Period of availability of subsequently apportioned funds.— 
Any funds apportioned pursuant to paragraph (2) shall remain available for expenditure until the end of the third fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the funds are so apportioned. Sums not obligated at the end of that period shall lapse.
(4) Effect of noncompliance.— 
If, at the end of the period for which funds withheld under subsection (a) from apportionment are available for apportionment to a State under paragraph (1), the State does not meet the requirement of subsection (a)(3), the funds shall lapse.

23 USC 162 - National scenic byways program

(a) Designation of Roads.— 

(1) In general.— 
The Secretary shall carry out a national scenic byways program that recognizes roads having outstanding scenic, historic, cultural, natural, recreational, and archaeological qualities by designating the roads as
(A) National Scenic Byways;
(B) All-American Roads; or
(C) Americas Byways.
(2) Criteria.— 
The Secretary shall designate roads to be recognized under the national scenic byways program in accordance with criteria developed by the Secretary.
(3) Nomination.— 

(A) In general.— 
To be considered for a designation, a road must be nominated by a State, an Indian tribe, or a Federal land management agency and must first be designated as a State scenic byway, an Indian tribe scenic byway, or, in the case of a road on Federal land, as a Federal land management agency byway.
(B) Nomination by indian tribes.— 
An Indian tribe may nominate a road as a National Scenic Byway under subparagraph (A) only if a Federal land management agency (other than the Bureau of Indian Affairs), a State, or a political subdivision of a State does not have
(i) jurisdiction over the road; or
(ii) responsibility for managing the road.
(C) Safety.— 
An Indian tribe shall maintain the safety and quality of roads nominated by the Indian tribe under subparagraph (A).
(4) Reciprocal notification.— 
States, Indian tribes, and Federal land management agencies shall notify each other regarding nominations made under this subsection for roads that
(A) are within the jurisdictional boundary of the State, Federal land management agency, or Indian tribe; or
(B) directly connect to roads for which the State, Federal land management agency, or Indian tribe is responsible.
(b) Grants and Technical Assistance.— 

(1) In general.— 
The Secretary shall make grants and provide technical assistance to States and Indian tribes to
(A) implement projects on highways designated as
(i) National Scenic Byways;
(ii) All-American Roads;
(iii) Americas Byways;
(iv) State scenic byways; or
(v) Indian tribe scenic byways; and
(B) plan, design, and develop a State or Indian tribe scenic byway program.
(2) Priorities.— 
In making grants, the Secretary shall give priority to
(A) each eligible project that is associated with a highway that has been designated as a National Scenic Byway, All-American Road, or 1 of Americas Byways and that is consistent with the corridor management plan for the byway;
(B) each eligible project along a State or Indian tribe scenic byway that is consistent with the corridor management plan for the byway, or is intended to foster the development of such a plan, and is carried out to make the byway eligible for designation as
(i) a National Scenic Byway;
(ii) an All-American Road; or
(iii) 1 of Americas Byways; and
(C) each eligible project that is associated with the development of a State or Indian tribe scenic byway program.
(c) Eligible Projects.— 
The following are projects that are eligible for Federal assistance under this section:
(1) An activity related to the planning, design, or development of a State or Indian tribe scenic byway program.
(2) Development and implementation of a corridor management plan to maintain the scenic, historical, recreational, cultural, natural, and archaeological characteristics of a byway corridor while providing for accommodation of increased tourism and development of related amenities.
(3) Safety improvements to a State scenic byway, Indian tribe scenic byway, National Scenic Byway, or All-American Road to the extent that the improvements are necessary to accommodate increased traffic and changes in the types of vehicles using the highway as a result of the designation as a State scenic byway, Indian tribe scenic byway, National Scenic Byway, or All-American Road.
(4) Construction along a scenic byway of a facility for pedestrians and bicyclists, rest area, turnout, highway shoulder improvement, overlook, or interpretive facility.
(5) An improvement to a scenic byway that will enhance access to an area for the purpose of recreation, including water-related recreation.
(6) Protection of scenic, historical, recreational, cultural, natural, and archaeological resources in an area adjacent to a scenic byway.
(7) Development and provision of tourist information to the public, including interpretive information about a scenic byway.
(8) Development and implementation of a scenic byway marketing program.
(d) Limitation.— 
The Secretary shall not make a grant under this section for any project that would not protect the scenic, historical, recreational, cultural, natural, and archaeological integrity of a highway and adjacent areas.
(e) Savings Clause.— 
The Secretary shall not withhold any grant or impose any requirement on a State or Indian tribe as a condition of providing a grant or technical assistance for any scenic byway unless the requirement is consistent with the authority provided in this chapter.
(f) Federal Share.— 
The Federal share of the cost of carrying out a project under this section shall be 80 percent, except that, in the case of any scenic byway project along a public road that provides access to or within Federal or Indian land, a Federal land management agency may use funds authorized for use by the agency as the non-Federal share.

23 USC 163 - Safety incentives to prevent operation of motor vehicles by intoxicated persons

(a) General Authority.— 
The Secretary shall make a grant, in accordance with this section, to any State that has enacted and is enforcing a law that provides that any person with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or greater while operating a motor vehicle in the State shall be deemed to have committed a per se offense of driving while intoxicated (or an equivalent per se offense).
(b) Grants.— 
For each fiscal year, funds authorized to carry out this section shall be apportioned to each State that has enacted and is enforcing a law meeting the requirements of subsection (a) in an amount determined by multiplying
(1) the amount authorized to carry out this section for the fiscal year; by
(2) the ratio that the amount of funds apportioned to each such State under section 402 for such fiscal year bears to the total amount of funds apportioned to all such States under section 402 for such fiscal year.
(c) Use of Grants.— 
A State may obligate funds apportioned under subsection (b) for any project eligible for assistance under this title.
(d) Federal Share.— 
The Federal share of the cost of a project funded under this section shall be 100 percent.
(e) Penalty.— 

(1) In general.— 
On October 1, 2003, and October 1 of each fiscal year thereafter, if a State has not enacted or is not enforcing a law described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall withhold from amounts apportioned to the State on that date under each of paragraphs (1), (3), and (4) of section 104 (b) an amount equal to the amount specified in paragraph (2).
(2) Amount to be withheld.— 
If a State is subject to a penalty under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall withhold for a fiscal year from the apportionments of the State described in paragraph (1) an amount equal to a percentage of the funds apportioned to the State under paragraphs (1), (3), and (4) of section 104 (b) for fiscal year 2003. The percentage shall be as follows:
(A) For fiscal year 2004, 2 percent.
(B) For fiscal year 2005, 4 percent.
(C) For fiscal year 2006, 6 percent.
(D) For fiscal year 2007, and each fiscal year thereafter, 8 percent.
(3) Failure to comply.— 
If, within 4 years from the date that an apportionment for a State is withheld in accordance with this subsection, the Secretary determines that the State has enacted and is enforcing a law described in subsection (a), the apportionment of the State shall be increased by an amount equal to the amount withheld. If, at the end of such 4-year period, any State has not enacted or is not enforcing a law described in subsection (a) any amounts so withheld from such State shall lapse.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.— 

(1) In general.— 
There are authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to carry out this section $55,000,000 for fiscal year 1998, $65,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, $90,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, $110,000,000 for fiscal year 2003, $110,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, and $110,000,000 for fiscal year 2005 $91,315,068 for the period of October 1, 2004, through July 30, 2005.[1]
(2) Availability of funds.— 
Notwithstanding section 118 (b)(2), the funds authorized by this subsection shall remain available until expended.
[1] So in original. The words “$91,315,068 for the period of October 1, 2004, through July 30, 2005” probably should not appear.

23 USC 164 - Minimum penalties for repeat offenders for driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence

(a) Definitions.— 
In this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) Alcohol concentration.— 
The term alcohol concentration means grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.
(2) Driving while intoxicated; driving under the influence.— 
The terms driving while intoxicated and driving under the influence mean driving or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while having an alcohol concentration above the permitted limit as established by each State.
(3) License suspension.— 
The term license suspension means the suspension of all driving privileges.
(4) Motor vehicle.— 
The term motor vehicle means a vehicle driven or drawn by mechanical power and manufactured primarily for use on public highways, but does not include a vehicle operated solely on a rail line or a commercial vehicle.
(5) Repeat intoxicated driver law.— 
The term repeat intoxicated driver law means a State law that provides, as a minimum penalty, that an individual convicted of a second or subsequent offense for driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence after a previous conviction for that offense shall
(A) receive a drivers license suspension for not less than 1 year;
(B) be subject to the impoundment or immobilization of each of the individuals motor vehicles or the installation of an ignition interlock system on each of the motor vehicles;
(C) receive an assessment of the individuals degree of abuse of alcohol and treatment as appropriate; and
(D) receive
(i) in the case of the second offense
(I) an assignment of not less than 30 days of community service; or
(II) not less than 5 days of imprisonment; and
(ii) in the case of the third or subsequent offense
(I) an assignment of not less than 60 days of community service; or
(II) not less than 10 days of imprisonment.
(b) Transfer of Funds.— 

(1) Fiscal years 2001 and 2002.— 
On October 1, 2000, and October 1, 2001, if a State has not enacted or is not enforcing a repeat intoxicated driver law, the Secretary shall transfer an amount equal to 11/2 percent of the funds apportioned to the State on that date under each of paragraphs (1), (3), and (4) of section 104 (b) to the apportionment of the State under section 402
(A) to be used for alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures; or
(B) to be directed to State and local law enforcement agencies for enforcement of laws prohibiting driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence and other related laws (including regulations), including the purchase of equipment, the training of officers, and the use of additional personnel for specific alcohol-impaired driving countermeasures, dedicated to enforcement of the laws (including regulations).
(2) Fiscal year 2003 and fiscal years thereafter.— 
On October 1, 2002, and each October 1 thereafter, if a State has not enacted or is not enforcing a repeat intoxicated driver law, the Secretary shall transfer an amount equal to 3 percent of the funds apportioned to the State on that date under each of paragraphs (1), (3), and (4) of section 104 (b) to the apportionment of the State under section 402 to be used or directed as described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1).
(3) Use for hazard elimination program.— 
A State may elect to use all or a portion of the funds transferred under paragraph (1) or (2) for activities eligible under section 148.
(4) Federal share.— 
The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out with funds transferred under paragraph (1) or (2), or used under paragraph (3), shall be 100 percent.
(5) Derivation of amount to be transferred.— 
The amount to be transferred under paragraph (1) or (2) may be derived from one or more of the following:
(A) The apportionment of the State under section 104 (b)(1).
(B) The apportionment of the State under section 104 (b)(3).
(C) The apportionment of the State under section 104 (b)(4).
(6) Transfer of obligation authority.— 

(A) In general.— 
If the Secretary transfers under this subsection any funds to the apportionment of a State under section 402 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall transfer an amount, determined under subparagraph (B), of obligation authority distributed for the fiscal year to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs for carrying out projects under section 402.
(B) Amount.— 
The amount of obligation authority referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be determined by multiplying
(i) the amount of funds transferred under subparagraph (A) to the apportionment of the State under section 402 for the fiscal year, by
(ii) the ratio that
(I) the amount of obligation authority distributed for the fiscal year to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs, bears to
(II) the total of the sums apportioned to the State for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction programs (excluding sums not subject to any obligation limitation) for the fiscal year.
(7) Limitation on applicability of obligation limitation.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no limitation on the total of obligations for highway safety programs under section 402 shall apply to funds transferred under this subsection to the apportionment of a State under such section.

23 USC 165 - Puerto Rico highway program

(a) In General.— 
The Secretary shall allocate funds made available to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009 to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to carry out a highway program in the Commonwealth.
(b) Applicability of Title.— 
Amounts made available by section 1101(a)(14) of the SAFETEALU shall be available for obligation in the same manner as if such funds were apportioned under this chapter.
(c) Treatment of Funds.— 
Amounts made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year shall be administered as follows:
(1) Apportionment.— 
For the purpose of imposing any penalty under this title or title 49, the amounts shall be treated as being apportioned to Puerto Rico under sections 104 (b) and 144, for each program funded under those sections in an amount determined by multiplying
(A) the aggregate of the amounts for the fiscal year; by
(B) the ratio that
(i) the amount of funds apportioned to Puerto Rico for each such program for fiscal year 1997; bears to
(ii) the total amount of funds apportioned to Puerto Rico for all such programs for fiscal year 1997.
(2) Penalty.— 
The amounts treated as being apportioned to Puerto Rico under each section referred to in paragraph (1) shall be deemed to be required to be apportioned to Puerto Rico under that section for purposes of the imposition of any penalty under this title or title 49.
(d) Effect on Allocations and Apportionments.— 
Subject to subsection (c)(2), nothing in this section affects any allocation under section 105 and any apportionment under sections 104 and 144.

23 USC 166 - HOV facilities

(a) In General.— 

(1) Authority of state agencies.— 
A State agency that has jurisdiction over the operation of a HOV facility shall establish the occupancy requirements of vehicles operating on the facility.
(2) Occupancy requirement.— 
Except as otherwise provided by this section, no fewer than two occupants per vehicle may be required for use of a HOV facility.
(b) Exceptions.— 

(1) In general.— 
Notwithstanding the occupancy requirement of subsection (a)(2), the exceptions in paragraphs (2) through (5) shall apply with respect to a State agency operating a HOV facility.
(2) Motorcycles and bicycles.— 

(A) In general.— 
Subject to subparagraph (B), the State agency shall allow motorcycles and bicycles to use the HOV facility.
(B) Safety exception.— 

(i) In general.— 
A State agency may restrict use of the HOV facility by motorcycles or bicycles (or both) if the agency certifies to the Secretary that such use would create a safety hazard and the Secretary accepts the certification.
(ii) Acceptance of certification.— 
The Secretary may accept a certification under this subparagraph only after the Secretary publishes notice of the certification in the Federal Register and provides an opportunity for public comment.
(3) Public transportation vehicles.— 
The State agency may allow public transportation vehicles to use the HOV facility if the agency
(A) establishes requirements for clearly identifying the vehicles; and
(B) establishes procedures for enforcing the restrictions on the use of the facility by the vehicles.
(4) High occupancy toll vehicles.— 
The State agency may allow vehicles not otherwise exempt pursuant to this subsection to use the HOV facility if the operators of the vehicles pay a toll charged by the agency for use of the facility and the agency
(A) establishes a program that addresses how motorists can enroll and participate in the toll program;
(B) develops, manages, and maintains a system that will automatically collect the toll; and
(C) establishes policies and procedures to
(i) manage the demand to use the facility by varying the toll amount that is charged; and
(ii) enforce violations of use of the facility.
(5) Low emission and energy-efficient vehicles.— 

(A) Inherently low emission vehicle.— 
Before September 30, 2009, the State agency may allow vehicles that are certified as inherently low-emission vehicles pursuant to section 88.31193 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), and are labeled in accordance with section 88.31293 of such title (or successor regulations), to use the HOV facility if the agency establishes procedures for enforcing the restrictions on the use of the facility by the vehicles.
(B) Other low emission and energy-efficient vehicles.— 
Before September 30, 2009, the State agency may allow vehicles certified as low emission and energy-efficient vehicles under subsection (e), and labeled in accordance with subsection (e), to use the HOV facility if the operators of the vehicles pay a toll charged by the agency for use of the facility and the agency
(i) establishes a program that addresses the selection of vehicles under this paragraph; and
(ii) establishes procedures for enforcing the restrictions on the use of the facility by the vehicles.
(C) Amount of tolls.— 
Under subparagraph (B), a State agency may charge no toll or may charge a toll that is less than tolls charged under paragraph (3).[1]
(c) Requirements Applicable to Tolls.— 

(1) In general.— 
Tolls may be charged under paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (b) notwithstanding section 301 and, except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), subject to the requirements of section 129.
(2) HOV facilities on the interstate system.— 
Notwithstanding section 129, tolls may be charged under paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (b) on a HOV facility on the Interstate System.
(3) Excess toll revenues.— 
If a State agency makes a certification under section 129 (a)(3) with respect to toll revenues collected under paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (b), the State, in the use of toll revenues under that sentence, shall give priority consideration to projects for developing alternatives to single occupancy vehicle travel and projects for improving highway safety.
(d) HOV Facility Management, Operation, Monitoring, and Enforcement.— 

(1) In general.— 
A State agency that allows vehicles to use a HOV facility under paragraph (4) or (5) of subsection (b) in a fiscal year shall certify to the Secretary that the agency will carry out the following responsibilities with respect to the facility in the fiscal year:
(A) Establishing, managing, and supporting a performance monitoring, evaluation, and reporting program for the facility that provides for continuous monitoring, assessment, and reporting on the impacts that the vehicles may have on the operation of the facility and adjacent highways.
(B) Establishing, managing, and supporting an enforcement program that ensures that the facility is being operated in accordance with the requirements of this section.
(C) Limiting or discontinuing the use of the facility by the vehicles if the presence of the vehicles has degraded the operation of the facility.
(2) Degraded facility.— 

(A) Definition of minimum average operating speed.— 
In this paragraph, the term minimum average operating speed means
(i) 45 miles per hour, in the case of a HOV facility with a speed limit of 50 miles per hour or greater; and
(ii) not more than 10 miles per hour below the speed limit, in the case of a HOV facility with a speed limit of less than 50 miles per hour.
(B) Standard for determining degraded facility.— 
For purposes of paragraph (1), the operation of a HOV facility shall be considered to be degraded if vehicles operating on the facility are failing to maintain a minimum average operating speed 90 percent of the time over a consecutive 180-day period during morning or evening weekday peak hour periods (or both).
(C) Management of low emission and energy-efficient vehicles.— 
In managing the use of HOV lanes by low emission and energy-efficient vehicles that do not meet applicable occupancy requirements, a State agency may increase the percentages described in subsection (f)(3)(B)(i).
(e) Certification of Low Emission and Energy-Efficient Vehicles.— 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall
(1) issue a final rule establishing requirements for certification of vehicles as low emission and energy-efficient vehicles for purposes of this section and requirements for the labeling of the vehicles; and
(2) establish guidelines and procedures for making the vehicle comparisons and performance calculations described in subsection (f)(3)(B), in accordance with section 32908 (b) of title 49.
(f) Definitions.— 
In this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) Alternative fuel vehicle.— 
The term alternative fuel vehicle means a vehicle that is operating on
(A) methanol, denatured ethanol, or other alcohols;
(B) a mixture containing at least 85 percent of methanol, denatured ethanol, and other alcohols by volume with gasoline or other fuels;
(C) natural gas;
(D) liquefied petroleum gas;
(E) hydrogen;
(F) coal derived liquid fuels;
(G) fuels (except alcohol) derived from biological materials;
(H) electricity (including electricity from solar energy); or
(I) any other fuel that the Secretary prescribes by regulation that is not substantially petroleum and that would yield substantial energy security and environmental benefits, including fuels regulated under section 490 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).
(2) HOV facility.— 
The term HOV facility means a high occupancy vehicle facility.
(3) Low emission and energy-efficient vehicle.— 
The term low emission and energy-efficient vehicle means a vehicle that
(A) has been certified by the Administrator as meeting the Tier II emission level established in regulations prescribed by the Administrator under section 202(i) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7521 (i)) for that make and model year vehicle; and
(B) 
(i) is certified by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with the manufacturer, to have achieved not less than a 50-percent increase in city fuel economy or not less than a 25-percent increase in combined city-highway fuel economy (or such greater percentage of city or city-highway fuel economy as may be determined by a State under subsection (d)(2)(C)) relative to a comparable vehicle that is an internal combustion gasoline fueled vehicle (other than a vehicle that has propulsion energy from onboard hybrid sources); or
(ii) is an alternative fuel vehicle.
(4) Public transportation vehicle.— 
The term public transportation vehicle means a vehicle that
(A) provides designated public transportation (as defined in section 221 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12141) or provides school">public school transportation (to and from public or private primary, secondary, or tertiary schools); and
(B) 
(i) is owned or operated by a public entity;
(ii) is operated under a contract with a public entity; or
(iii) is operated pursuant to a license by the Secretary or a State agency to provide motorbus or school vehicle transportation services to the public.
(5) State agency.— 

(A) In general.— 
The term State agency, as used with respect to a HOV facility, means an agency of a State or local government having jurisdiction over the operation of the facility.
(B) Inclusion.— 
The term State agency includes a State transportation department.
[1] So in original. Probably should be paragraph “(4)”.

181 to 190. Renumbered 601 to 610]