American Highway Users Alliance

The united voice of the transportation community on highway safety and mobility.

A nonprofit advocacy organization representing over 300 national trade associations, corporations, small businesses, and state and local nonprofit organizations that represent over 45 million highway users.

1776 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 500
Washington, D.C. 20036
202.857.1200       fax 202.857.1220
www.highways.org
© Copyright 2002

The Highway and Transit Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a hearing on Oct. 8, 2002, to receive testimony on the Expediting Project Delivery to Improve Transportation and the Environment Act (ExPDITE). Highway Users Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs Greg Cohen testified in support of the bill, introduced by Chairman Don Young. The Highway Users testimony focused on the increasing delay experienced by highway project sponsors in attempting to gain necessary federal approvals. The ExPDITE Act is a moderate proposal, which among other things would coordinate interagency activities and empower federal and state transportation departments to enforce a schedule for project delivery.

Crucially, the bill would not amend environmental laws enforced by regulatory agencies and would not reduce the public participation requirements required under current regulations. When Congress adjourned, ExPDITE had gained several bipartisan cosponsors, and The Highway Users is optimistic that the bill will be incorporated into the larger TEA 21 reauthorization package in 2003. To read the briefing memo for the hearing and Mr. Cohen's testimony click here. To read the ExPDITE bill, click here. (You will need Adobe Acrobat to read this file. Click here to download this free software.)