Following a day of intrigue concerning several different Senators threatening to prevent the bill from moving forward, the Senate by voice vote approved HR 662, legislation extending highway and transit program authorization until September 30, 2011 the end of federal fiscal year 2011. The bill will now go to President Obama who is expected to sign it. This action will prevent a shutdown of the Federal Highway Administration and allow for the continuation of Federal reimbursements to states for ongoing construction projects.
The National Quality Initiative (NQI) was inaugurated in November 1992 as a unique partnership designed to focus attention and energy on continuous improvement in the quality of highway in the United States. The NQI later grew into the National Partnership for Highway Quality (NPHQ) but its mission was largely unchanged: addressing customer needs by advocating the use of practices which improve the quality of the nation’s highways. °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ô¤²â has served as the Co-Chair of both the NQI and NPHQ.
By a vote of 421 to 4, the House of Representatives yesterday passed H.R. 662, extending federal surface transportation program funding through the end of the federal fiscal year 2011 which ends on September 30, 2011. The highway and transit programs are currently operating under the sixth extension of authorization which is set to expire on Friday, March 4.
Federal transportation programs face challenges like never before. SAFETEA-LU expired on September 30, 2009 and funding for the highway and transit programs have been continued through a series of short term extensions.
The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking seeking to overhaul the hours of service rules for truck drivers. The comment period has been extended to March 4, 2011.
May 24-25, 2011
Federal transportation programs face challenges like never before. SAFETEA-LU expired on September 30, 2009 and funding for the highway and transit programs have been continued through a series of short term extensions.
After nearly three and a half years and seventeen extensions Congress is finally moving legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration programs. On February 18 the Senate approved a two year measure that would, among other things, fund the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) at 4.0 and 4.1 billion respectively. In the House, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved a 4-year FAA reauthorization.
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ô¤²â of America sponsored a forum on the conservative case for transportation. Hosted by the Weekly Standard, it was the magazine's first-ever policy event.
The current extension of highway and transit program authorization expires on March 4, 2011. Failure to pass an extension by that date will result in a shutdown of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) and Ranking Member Nick Rahall (D-W.V.) have introduced a bill to extend highway and transit authorization through the end of FY 2011.