[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 26, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50194-50196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-19636]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

23 CFR Part 630

[FHWA Docket No. FHWA-2007-0020]
RIN 2125-AF23


Advance Construction of Federal-Aid Projects

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA is revising its regulation for advance construction 
of Federal-aid projects by: (a) Removing the restriction that a State 
must obligate all of its allocated or apportioned funds, or demonstrate 
that it will use all obligation authority allocated to it for Federal-
aid highways and highway safety construction, prior to the approval of 
advance construction projects; and (b) clarifying that advance 
construction procedures may be used for all categories of Federal-aid 
highway funds, and that any available Federal-aid funds for which a 
project is eligible may be used when a project is converted to a 
Federal-aid project. These revisions make the regulation consistent 
with the advance construction statute, which was amended by a provision 
enacted in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation 
Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).

DATES: Effective Date: September 25, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dale Gray, Federal-aid Financial 
Management Division, (202) 366-0978, or Mr. Steven Rochlis, Office of 
the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-1395, Federal Highway Administration, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 
7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of the NPRM, the comments received and a copy of 
this document may be viewed at www.regulations.gov. A copy of this 
document may also be downloaded by accessing the Office of the Federal 
Register's home page at: http://www.archives.gov or the Government 
Printing Office's Web page at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/nara.

Background

    Section 115 of title 23, United States Code, permits the Secretary 
to authorize States to advance the construction of Federal-aid highway 
projects without requiring that Federal funds be obligated at the time 
the FHWA approves a project. The State may proceed with an advance 
construction project using State funds as no present or future Federal 
funds are actually committed to the project. At any time the State may 
request that the project be converted to a Federal-aid project provided 
that sufficient Federal-aid funds and obligation authority are 
available. A State also may request a partial conversion where only a 
portion of the Federal share of project costs is obligated and 
reimbursed; and the remainder may be converted at a later time provided 
that funds and associated obligation authority are available. Only the 
amount converted to a Federal-aid project becomes an obligation of the 
Federal Government.

[[Page 50195]]

    Section 1501 of SAFETEA-LU (Pub. L. 109-59, 119 Stat. 1144) amended 
23 U.S.C. 115 to remove a restriction that a State must obligate all of 
its allocated or apportioned funds, or demonstrate that it will use all 
obligation authority allocated to it for Federal-aid highways and 
highway safety construction, prior to the approval of advance 
construction projects. Section 1501 also amended the statute to clarify 
that advance construction procedures can be used for all categories of 
Federal-aid highway funds and that when a project is converted to a 
regular Federal-aid project, any available Federal-aid funds may be 
used to convert a project which is eligible for that funds class. The 
FHWA regulations concerning advance construction, which reflect the 
advance construction requirements prior to the enactment of SAFETEA-LU, 
are therefore no longer consistent with the statute.
    The FHWA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 
6, 2008, at 73 FR 12038. In the NPRM, the FHWA proposed to (a) remove 
the restriction that a State must obligate all of its allocated or 
apportioned funds, or demonstrate that it will use all obligation 
authority allocated to it for Federal-aid highways and highway safety 
construction, prior to the approval of advance construction projects; 
and (b) provide clarification that advance construction procedures may 
be used for all categories of Federal-aid highway funds, and that any 
available Federal-aid funds for which a project is eligible may be used 
when a project is converted to a Federal-aid project.

Discussion of Comments

    We received comments from the West Virginia Department of 
Transportation and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) 
who supported the proposed revisions in the NPRM. Both respondents 
noted that the proposal would result in increased flexibility in the 
use of Federal-aid highway funds. Additionally, PennDOT mentioned 
increased cash flow possibilities, removal of the restrictions on the 
use of funds, clarification that advance construction may be used for 
all categories of Federal-aid highway funds, and the ability to convert 
projects using any available Federal-aid funds which a project may be 
eligible, as additional benefits resulting from the changes proposed in 
the NPRM.
    The docket did not receive any comments opposing the language in 
the NPRM. The FHWA is adopting the revisions as proposed in the NPRM as 
final.

Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    The FHWA has determined that this action is not a significant 
regulatory action within the meaning of Executive Order 12866 and would 
not be significant within the meaning of the U.S. Department of 
Transportation's regulatory policies and procedures. This final rule 
will not adversely affect, in a material way, any sector of the 
economy. This action would revise the regulation for advance 
construction of Federal-aid projects by removing the restriction that a 
State must obligate all of its allocated or apportioned funds, or 
demonstrate that it will use all obligation authority allocated to it 
for Federal-aid highways and highway safety construction, prior to the 
approval of advance construction projects. This action also clarifies 
that advance construction procedures may be used for all categories of 
Federal-aid highway funds, and that any available Federal-aid funds for 
which the project is eligible may be used when a project is converted 
to a Federal-aid project. There will not be any additional costs 
incurred by any affected group as a result of this final rule. In 
addition, these changes will not interfere with any action taken or 
planned by another agency and will not materially alter the budgetary 
impact of any entitlements, grants, user fees or loan programs. 
Consequently, a regulatory evaluation is not required.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    In compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (Pub. L. 96-354, 
5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have evaluated the effects of this final rule on 
small entities and have determined that the action would not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
The FHWA certifies that this action will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

    This final rule has been analyzed in accordance with the principles 
and criteria contained in Executive Order 13132, and the FHWA has 
determined that this action would not warrant the preparation of a 
Federalism assessment. The FHWA has determined that this action would 
not affect the States' ability to discharge traditional State 
government functions.

Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review)

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Number 20.205, 
Highway Planning and Construction. The regulations implementing 
Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on 
Federal programs and activities apply to this program.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501), 
Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct, sponsor, 
or require through regulations. The FHWA has determined that this final 
rule does not contain collection of information requirements for the 
purposes of the PRA.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    This rule would not impose unfunded mandates as defined by the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4, 109 Stat. 48). 
This rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $128.1 
million or more in any one year. (2 U.S.C. 1532)

Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)

    This action meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) 
of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, 
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

Executive Order 13045 (Protection of Children)

    The FHWA has analyzed this action under Executive Order 13045, 
Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks. The FHWA certifies that this action would not cause any 
environmental risk to health or safety that may disproportionately 
affect children.

Executive Order 12630 (Taking of Private Property)

    The FHWA has analyzed this final rule under Executive Order 12630, 
Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected 
Property Rights. The FHWA does not anticipate that this action would 
affect a taking of private property or otherwise have taking 
implications under Executive Order 12630.

[[Page 50196]]

National Environmental Policy Act

    The FHWA has analyzed this action for the purposes of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321-4347) and 
has determined that this action will not have any effect on the quality 
of the environment.

Executive Order 13175 (Tribal Consultation)

    The FHWA has analyzed this action under Executive Order 13175, 
dated November 6, 2000, and believes that the final rule would not have 
substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes; would not 
impose substantial compliance costs on Indian tribal governments; and 
will not preempt tribal law. Therefore, a tribal summary impact 
statement is not required.

Executive Order 13211 (Energy Effects)

    We have analyzed this final rule under Executive Order 13211, 
Actions Concerning Regulations that Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a significant 
energy action under that order because it is not a significant 
regulatory action under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to have 
a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution or use of 
energy. Therefore, a Statement of Energy Effects is not required.

Regulation Identification Number

    A regulation identification number (RIN) is assigned to each 
regulatory section listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulations. 
The Regulatory Information Service Center publishes the Unified Agenda 
in April and October of each year. The RIN contained in the heading of 
this document can be used to cross-reference this section with the 
Unified Agenda.

List of Subjects in 23 CFR Part 630

    Reimbursement, Grants programs--transportation, Highways and roads.

    Issued on: August 15, 2008.
James D. Ray,
Acting Federal Highway Administrator.

0
In consideration of the foregoing, the FHWA amends Chapter I of title 
23, Code of Federal Regulations, by revising Part 630, as set forth 
below.

PART 630--PRECONSTRUCTION PROCEDURES

0
1. The authority citation for part 630 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 106, 109, 112, 115, 315, 320, and 402(a); 
Sec. 1501 and 1503 of Public Law 109-59, 119 Stat. 1144; Public Law 
105-178, 112 Stat. 193; Public Law 104-59, 109 Stat. 582; Public Law 
97-424, 96 Stat. 2106; Public Law 90-495, 82 Stat. 828; Public Law 
85-767, 72 Stat. 896; Public Law 84-627, 70 Stat. 380; 23 CFR 1.32 
and 49 CFR 1.48(b).


0
2. Revise Sec.  630.703 to read as follows:


Sec.  630.703  Eligibility.

    (a) The State Department of Transportation (DOT) may proceed with a 
project authorized in accordance with title 23, United States Code:
    (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--
    (i) With the aid of Federal funds previously apportioned or 
allocated to the State; or
    (ii) With obligation authority previously allocated to the State.
    (b) The FHWA, 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.


Sec.  630.709  [Amended]

0
3. Amend Sec.  630.709 by removing the term ``SHA'' in each place it 
appears, and add in its place the term ``State Department of 
Transportation.''

[FR Doc. E8-19636 Filed 8-25-08; 8:45 am]
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