New $105-billion U.S. transport plan set to proceed
by Canadian Manufacturing Daily Staff
Legislation includes federal funding for highway, transit, safety programs through 2014
Washington—The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate approved legislation to reform and reauthorize surface transportation programs over the next two years.
The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) program provides for an estimated $105-billion in federal funding for highway, transit, safety and related transportation programs through the end of September 2014.
MAP-21 is aimed at making U.S. roadways more efficient and less congested while improving safety, and includes provisions for an increased focus on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies—including increased research funding from $50- to $100-million annually; a new $62.5-million annual technology and innovation deployment program; more spending flexibility for state governments; and a streamlined process for project delivery.
The program replaces the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) bill, enacted in 2005.
