414 Plan Act of 2015

To expedite the deployment of highway construction projects, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the 414 Plan Act of 2015 2. Suspension of Federal requirements for highway construction projects (a) In general Except as provided by subsection (b), the requirements of Federal laws and regulations, including the prevailing rate of wage requirements specified in section 113 of title 23, United States Code, shall not apply to any Federal-aid highway or highway safety construction project. (b) Exceptions Subsection (a) shall not apply to Federal laws and regulations relating to, as determined by the Secretary of Transportation— (1) the safety or durability of a highway facility; or (2) public or workplace safety. (c) Sunset This section shall cease to be effective after the last day of the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act. 3. Federal requirements regarding bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkways (a) Repeal of protection of nonmotorized transportation traffic requirement Section 109(m) of title 23, United States Code, is repealed. (b) Definition of transportation alternatives Section 101(a)(29) of title 23, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: (29) Transportation alternatives The term transportation alternatives (A) Construction, planning, and design of transportation projects to achieve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq. (B) Construction, planning, and design of infrastructure-related projects and systems that will provide safe routes for nondrivers, including children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities to access daily needs. . (c) Repeal of bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkways authorizations and requirements Section 217 of title 23, United States Code, and the item relating to such section in the analysis for chapter 2 of that title, are repealed. (d) Planning requirements (1) General requirements Sections 134(c)(2) and 135(a)(2) of title 23, United States Code, and sections 5303(c)(2) and 5304(a)(2) of title 49, United States Code, are amended by striking (including accessible pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities) (2) Participation by interested parties Sections 134(i)(6)(A) and 135(f)(3)(A)(ii) of title 23, United States Code, and sections 5303(i)(6)(A) and 5304(f)(3)(A)(ii) of title 49, United States Code, are amended by striking representatives of users of pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities, 4. Sense of Congress on need for cooperation to expedite surface transportation projects It is the sense of Congress that States, Federal agencies, localities, and private stakeholders should take steps toward increased cooperation to further expedite surface transportation projects. 5. Applicability This Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall apply to fiscal years beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: 414 Plan Act of 2015 Declares that federal laws and regulations (including prevailing rate of wage requirements under the Davis-Bacon Act) shall not apply to any federal-aid highway or highway safety construction project, except those relating to: (1) the safety or durability of a highway facility, or (2) public or workplace safety. Repeals the prohibition against approval of federal-aid highway projects or regulatory actions that will result in the severance of an existing major route or have significant adverse impact on the safety for nonmotorized transportation traffic and light motorcycles, unless the project or action provides for a reasonable alternative route or such a route exists. Defines "transportation alternatives" as any of the following activities when carried out as part of an authorized or funded federal-aid highway program or project, or as an independent program or project related to surface transportation for the construction, planning, and design of: (1) transportation projects to achieve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; or (2) infrastructure-related projects and systems that will provide safe routes for nondrivers, including children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities to access daily needs. Repeals the authorization for states to use certain funds for construction of pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities. Eliminates the requirement that statewide transportation plans and statewide transportation improvement programs provide for the development of accessible pedestrian walkways and bicycle transportation facilities. Expresses the sense of Congress that states, federal agencies, localities, and private stakeholders should take steps toward increased cooperation to further expedite surface transportation projects.