National Intersection and Interchange Safety Construction Program Act of 2019

To direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a national intersection and interchange safety construction program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the National Intersection and Interchange Safety Construction Program Act of 2019 2. National Intersection and Interchange Safety Construction Program (a) Establishment Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a national intersection and interchange safety construction program (in this section referred to as the Program (b) Grant authority (1) In general In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may make a grant to a covered entity in accordance with this section. (2) Competitive basis The Secretary shall award grants under the Program on a competitive basis. (c) Project requirements The Secretary may only make a grant under the Program to assist a project that— (1) is eligible for funding under title 23, United States Code; and (2) will improve the safety of an intersection or interchange that is— (A) on the National Highway System; (B) used by an average of 50,000 vehicles a day; and (C) in immediate need of improvement with respect to safety. (d) Applications To be eligible for a grant under the Program, a covered entity shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary determines is appropriate. (e) Limitation The aggregate amount provided to a covered entity in a fiscal year through grants under the Program may not exceed 5 percent of the amount made available for all grants under the Program in that fiscal year. (f) Congressional review At least 90 days before establishing the Program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report detailing the selection process the Secretary shall use in making grants under the Program. (g) Covered entity defined In this section, the term covered entity (1) A State government entity. (2) A local government entity. (3) A territory of the United States. (4) A tribal government. (5) A metropolitan planning organization. (6) Any entity composed of 2 or more entities described in paragraphs (1) through (5). (h) Authorization of appropriations (1) In general There is authorized to be appropriated out of the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Transit Account) to carry out the Program $250,000,000 each fiscal year. (2) Applicability of title 23, United States Code Funds authorized to be appropriated by paragraph (1) shall— (A) be available for obligation in the same manner as if those funds were apportioned under chapter 1 (B) remain available until expended and not be transferable.

Summary: National Intersection and Interchange Safety Construction Program Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a national intersection and interchange safety construction grant program. Under the program, DOT may make grants to governmental entities and planning organizations to assist a project that is eligible for federal-aid highway funding and will improve the safety of intersections or interchanges on the National Highway System that are used by an average of 50,000 vehicles a day and are in immediate need of safety improvement.