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SEC. 1410. REPORT ON EFFECTS OF ALLOWING HEAVIER
WEIGHT VEHICLES ON CERTAIN HIGHWAYS.
(a) DEFINITION OF HEAVIER WEIGHT VEHICLE.—In
this section, the term ‘‘heavier weight vehicle’’ means a vehi-
cle the operation of which on the Interstate System is pro-
hibited under section 127 of title 23, United States Code.
(b) REPORT.—Not later than December 31, 2000, the
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the effects
of allowing operation of heavier weight vehicles on Inter-
state Route 95 in the States of Maine and New Hampshire.
(c) CONTENTS.—The report shall contain an analysis
of the safety, infrastructure, cost recovery, environmental,
and economic implications of that operation.
(d) CONSULTATION.—In preparing the report, the Sec-
retary shall consult with the safety and modal administra-
tions of the Department of Transportation, and the States
of Maine and New Hampshire.
(e) MORATORIUM ON WITHHOLDING OF FUNDS.—Not-
withstanding section 127 of title 23, United States Code,
during the period beginning on the date of enactment of
this Act and ending on the earlier of the end of fiscal year
2002 or the date that is 1 year after the date of submission
of the report under subsection (b), the Secretary shall not
withhold, under that section, funds from apportionment to
the States of Maine and New Hampshire.
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Subtitle E—Environment
SEC. 1501. NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAYS PROGRAM.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 1 of title 23, United States
Code (as amended by section 1406(a)) is amended by add-
ing at the end the following:
‘‘§ 165. National scenic byways program
‘‘(a) DESIGNATION OF ROADS.—
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry
out a national scenic byways program that recognizes
roads having outstanding scenic, historic, cultural,
natural, recreational, and archaeological qualities by
designating the roads as National Scenic Byways or
All-American Roads.
‘‘(2) CRITERIA.—The Secretary shall designate
roads to be recognized under the national scenic by-
ways program in accordance with criteria developed
by the Secretary.
‘‘(3) NOMINATION.—To be considered for the des-
ignation, a road must be nominated by a State or a
Federal land management agency and must first be
designated as a State scenic byway or, in the case of
a road on Federal land, as a Federal land manage-
ment agency byway.
‘‘(b) GRANTS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—
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‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall make
grants and provide technical assistance to States to—
‘‘(A) implement projects on highways des-
ignated as National Scenic Byways or All-Amer-
ican Roads, or as State scenic byways; and
‘‘(B) plan, design, and develop a State sce-
nic byway program.
‘‘(2) PRIORITIES.—In making grants, the Sec-
retary shall give priority to—
‘‘(A) each eligible project that is associated
with a highway that has been designated as a
National Scenic Byway or All-American Road
and that is consistent with the corridor manage-
ment plan for the byway;
‘‘(B) each eligible project along a State-des-
ignated scenic byway that is consistent with the
corridor management plan for the byway, or is
intended to foster the development of such a
plan, and is carried out to make the byway eligi-
ble for designation as a National Scenic Byway
or All-American Road; and
‘‘(C) each eligible project that is associated
with the development of a State scenic byway
program.
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‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.—The following are projects
that are eligible for Federal assistance under this section:
‘‘(1) An activity related to the planning, design,
or development of a State scenic byway program.
‘‘(2) Development and implementation of a cor-
ridor management plan to maintain the scenic, his-
torical, recreational, cultural, natural, and archae-
ological characteristics of a byway corridor while pro-
viding for accommodation of increased tourism and
development of related amenities.
‘‘(3) Safety improvements to a State scenic
byway, National Scenic Byway, or All-American
Road to the extent that the improvements are nec-
essary to accommodate increased traffic and changes
in the types of vehicles using the highway as a result
of the designation as a State scenic byway, National
Scenic Byway, or All-American Road.
‘‘(4) Construction along a scenic byway of a fa-
cility for pedestrians and bicyclists, rest area, turn-
out, highway shoulder improvement, passing lane,
overlook, or interpretive facility.
‘‘(5) An improvement to a scenic byway that
will enhance access to an area for the purpose of
recreation, including water-related recreation.
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‘‘(6) Protection of scenic, historical, recreational,
cultural, natural, and archaeological resources in an
area adjacent to a scenic byway.
‘‘(7) Development and provision of tourist infor-
mation to the public, including interpretive informa-
tion about a scenic byway.
‘‘(8) Development and implementation of a sce-
nic byways marketing program.
‘‘(d) LIMITATION.—The Secretary shall not make a
grant under this section for any project that would not pro-
tect the scenic, historical, recreational, cultural, natural,
and archaeological integrity of a highway and adjacent
areas.
‘‘(e) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the cost
of carrying out a project under this section shall be 80 per-
cent, except that, in the case of any scenic byways project
along a public road that provides access to or within Fed-
eral or Indian land, a Federal land management agency
may use funds authorized for use by the agency as the non-
Federal share.
‘‘(f) AUTHORIZATION
OF CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—
There shall be available from the Highway Trust Fund
(other than the Mass Transit Account) to carry out this
section $17,000,000 for fiscal year 1998, $17,000,000 for fis-
cal year 1999, $19,000,000 for fiscal year 2000,
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$19,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, $21,000,000 for fiscal year
2002, and $23,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.’’.
(b) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—The analysis for
chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code (as amended by
section 1406(b)), is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing:
‘‘165. National scenic byways program.’’.
SEC. 1502. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.
Section 149 of title 23, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(e) PARTNERSHIPS WITH NONGOVERNMENTAL ENTI-
TIES.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other
provision of this title and in accordance with this
subsection, a metropolitan planning organization,
State transportation department, or other project
sponsor may enter into an agreement with any pub-
lic, private, or nonprofit entity to cooperatively im-
plement any project carried out under this section.
‘‘(2) FORMS OF PARTICIPATION BY ENTITIES.—
Participation by an entity under paragraph (1) may
consist of—
‘‘(A) ownership or operation of any land,
facility, vehicle, or other physical asset associ-
ated with the project;
‘‘(B) cost sharing of any project expense;
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‘‘(C) carrying out of administration, con-
struction management, project management,
project operation, or any other management or
operational duty associated with the project; and
‘‘(D) any other form of participation ap-
proved by the Secretary.
‘‘(3) ALLOCATION TO ENTITIES.—A State may
allocate funds apportioned under section 104(b)(2) to
an entity described in paragraph (1).
‘‘(4) ALTERNATIVE FUEL PROJECTS.—In the case
of a project that will provide for the use of alternative
fuels by privately owned vehicles or vehicle fleets, ac-
tivities eligible for funding under this subsection—
‘‘(A) may include the costs of vehicle refuel-
ing infrastructure and other capital investments
associated with the project; and
‘‘(B) shall—
‘‘(i) include only the incremental cost
of an alternative fueled vehicle compared to
a conventionally fueled vehicle that would
otherwise be borne by a private party; and
‘‘(ii) apply other governmental finan-
cial purchase contributions in the calcula-
tion of net incremental cost.
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‘‘(5) PROHIBITION ON FEDERAL PARTICIPATION
WITH RESPECT TO REQUIRED ACTIVITIES.—A Federal
participation payment under this subsection may not
be made to an entity to fund an obligation imposed
under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) or
any other Federal law.’’.
SEC. 1503. WETLAND RESTORATION PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that—
(1) surface transportation has unintended but
negative consequences for wetlands and other water
resources;
(2) in almost every State, construction and other
highway activities have reduced or eliminated wet-
land functions and values, such as wildlife habitat,
ground water recharge, flood control, and water qual-
ity benefits;
(3) the United States has lost more than 1⁄2 of
the estimated 220,000,000 acres of wetlands that ex-
isted during colonial times; and
(4) while the rate of human-induced destruction
and conversion of wetlands has slowed in recent
years, the United States has suffered unacceptable
wetland losses as a result of highway projects.
(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish a
national wetland restoration pilot program (referred to in
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this section as the ‘‘program’’) to fund mitigation projects
to offset the degradation of wetlands, or the loss of functions
and values of the aquatic resource, resulting from projects
carried out before December 27, 1977, under title 23, United
States Code (or similar projects as determined by the Sec-
retary), for which mitigation has not been performed.
(c) APPLICATIONS.—To be eligible for funding under
the program, a State shall submit an application to the
Secretary that includes—
(1) a description of the wetland proposed to be
restored by a mitigation project described in sub-
section (b) (referred to in this section as a ‘‘wetland
restoration project’’) under the program (including
the size and quality of the wetland);
(2) such information as is necessary to establish
a nexus between—
(A) a project carried out under title 23,
United States Code (or a similar project as de-
termined by the Secretary); and
(B) the wetland values and functions pro-
posed to be restored by the wetland restoration
project;
(3) a description of the benefits expected from the
proposed wetland restoration project (including im-
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provement of water quality, improvement of wildlife
habitat, ground water recharge, and flood control);
(4) a description of the State’s level of commit-
ment to the proposed wetland restoration project (in-
cluding the monetary commitment of the State and
any development of a State or regional conservation
plan that includes the proposed wetland restoration);
and
(5) the estimated total cost of the wetland res-
toration project.
(d) 
SELECTION
OF
WETLAND
RESTORATION
PROJECTS.—
(1) INTERAGENCY
COUNCIL.—In consultation
with the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the
Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Admin-
istrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the
Secretary shall establish an interagency advisory
council to—
(A) review the submitted applications that
meet the requirements of subsection (c); and
(B) not later than 60 days after the appli-
cation 
deadline, 
select 
wetland 
restoration
projects for funding under the program.
(2) SELECTION
CRITERIA
FOR
PRIORITY
WET-
LAND RESTORATION PROJECTS.—In consultation with
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the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Inte-
rior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Adminis-
trator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the
Secretary shall give priority in funding under this
section to wetland restoration projects that—
(A) provide for long-term monitoring and
maintenance of wetland resources;
(B) are managed by an entity, such as a
State wildlife agency, wetland conservation
group, land trust, or nature conservancy, with
expertise in the long-term monitoring and pro-
tection of wetland resources; and
(C) have a high likelihood of success.
(e) REPORTS.—Not later than April 1, 2000, and
April 1, 2003, the Secretary shall submit a report to Con-
gress on the results of the program.
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There shall be available from
the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Tran-
sit Account) to carry out this section $12,000,000 for
fiscal year 1998, $13,000,000 for fiscal year 1999,
$14,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, $17,000,000 for fis-
cal year 2001, $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, and
$24,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.
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(2) CONTRACT
AUTHORITY.—Funds authorized
under this subsection shall be available for obligation
in the same manner as if the funds were apportioned
under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code.
Subtitle F—Planning
SEC. 1601. METROPOLITAN PLANNING.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 134 of title 23, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
‘‘§ 134. Metropolitan planning
‘‘(a) GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.—
‘‘(1) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that it is in the
national interest to encourage and promote the safe
and efficient management, operation, and develop-
ment of surface transportation systems that will serve
the mobility needs of people and freight within and
through urbanized areas, while minimizing transpor-
tation-related fuel consumption and air pollution.
‘‘(2) DEVELOPMENT OF PLANS AND PROGRAMS.—
To accomplish the objective stated in paragraph (1),
metropolitan 
planning 
organizations 
designated
under subsection (b), in cooperation with the State
and public transit operators, shall develop transpor-
tation plans and programs for urbanized areas of the
State.
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affected population (including the central city or
cities as defined by the Bureau of the Census);
or
‘‘(B) in accordance with procedures estab-
lished by applicable State or local law.
‘‘(2) REDESIGNATION.—
‘‘(A) PROCEDURES.—A metropolitan plan-
ning organization may be redesignated by agree-
ment between the Governor and units of general
purpose local government that together represent
at least 75 percent of the affected population (in-
cluding the central city or cities as defined by
the Bureau of the Census) as appropriate to
carry out this section.
‘‘(B) CERTAIN
REQUESTS
TO
REDESIG-
NATE.—A metropolitan planning organization
shall be redesignated upon request of a unit or
units of general purpose local government rep-
resenting at least 25 percent of the affected popu-
lation (including the central city or cities as de-
fined by the Bureau of the Census) in any ur-
banized area—
‘‘(i) whose population is more than
5,000,000 but less than 10,000,000, or
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‘‘(ii) which is an extreme nonattain-
ment area for ozone or carbon monoxide as
defined under the Clean Air Act.
Such redesignation shall be accomplished using
procedures established by subparagraph (A).
‘‘(3) DESIGNATION OF MORE THAN 1 METROPOLI-
TAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION.—More than 1 metro-
politan planning organization may be designated
within an existing metropolitan planning area only
if the Governor and the existing metropolitan plan-
ning organization determine that the size and com-
plexity of the existing metropolitan planning area
make designation of more than 1 metropolitan plan-
ning organization for the area appropriate.
‘‘(4) STRUCTURE.—Each policy board of a met-
ropolitan planning organization that serves an area
designated as a transportation management area,
when designated or redesignated under this sub-
section, shall consist of—
‘‘(A) local elected officials;
‘‘(B) officials of public agencies that admin-
ister or operate major modes of transportation in
the metropolitan area (including all transpor-
tation agencies included in the metropolitan
planning organization as of June 1, 1991); and
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‘‘(C) appropriate State officials.
‘‘(5) OTHER AUTHORITY.—Nothing in this sub-
section interferes with the authority, under any State
law in effect on December 18, 1991, of a public agen-
cy with multimodal transportation responsibilities
to—
‘‘(A) develop plans and programs for adop-
tion by a metropolitan planning organization;
or
‘‘(B) develop long-range capital plans, co-
ordinate transit services and projects, and carry
out other activities under State law.
‘‘(6) CONTINUING DESIGNATION.—A designation
of a metropolitan planning organization under this
subsection or any other provision of law shall remain
in effect until the metropolitan planning organization
is redesignated under paragraph (2).
‘‘(c) METROPOLITAN PLANNING AREA BOUNDARIES.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For the purposes of this sec-
tion, the boundaries of a metropolitan planning area
shall be determined by agreement between the metro-
politan planning organization and the Governor.
‘‘(2) INCLUDED AREA.—Each metropolitan plan-
ning area—
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‘‘(A) shall encompass at least the existing
urbanized area and the contiguous area expected
to become urbanized within a 20-year forecast
period; and
‘‘(B) may encompass the entire metropoli-
tan statistical area or consolidated metropolitan
statistical area, as defined by the Bureau of the
Census.
‘‘(3) EXISTING METROPOLITAN PLANNING AREAS
IN
NONATTAINMENT.—Notwithstanding 
paragraph
(2), in the case of an area designated as a nonattain-
ment area for ozone or carbon monoxide under the
Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.), the bound-
aries of the metropolitan planning area in existence
as of the date of enactment of the Intermodal Surface
Transportation Efficiency Act of 1998, shall be re-
tained, except that the boundaries may be adjusted by
agreement of the affected metropolitan planning orga-
nizations and Governors in the manner described in
subsection (b)(2).
‘‘(4) NEW METROPOLITAN PLANNING AREAS IN
NONATTAINMENT.—In the case of an urbanized area
designated after the date of enactment of the Inter-
modal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1998
as a nonattainment area for ozone or carbon mon-
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oxide, the boundaries of the metropolitan planning
area—
‘‘(A) shall be established by agreement be-
tween the appropriate units of general purpose
local government (including the central city) and
the Governor;
‘‘(B) shall encompass at least the urbanized
area and the contiguous area expected to become
urbanized within a 20-year forecast period;
‘‘(C) may encompass the entire metropoli-
tan statistical area or consolidated metropolitan
statistical area, as defined by the Bureau of the
Census; and
‘‘(D) may address any nonattainment area
identified under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C.
7401 et seq.) for ozone or carbon monoxide.
‘‘(d) COORDINATION IN MULTISTATE AREAS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall encour-
age each Governor with responsibility for a portion of
a multistate metropolitan area and the appropriate
metropolitan planning organizations to provide co-
ordinated transportation planning for the entire met-
ropolitan area.
‘‘(2) INTERSTATE
COMPACTS.—The consent of
Congress is granted to any 2 or more States—
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‘‘(A) to enter into agreements or compacts,
not in conflict with any law of the United
States, for cooperative efforts and mutual assist-
ance in support of activities authorized under
this section as the activities pertain to interstate
areas and localities within the States; and
‘‘(B) to establish such agencies, joint or oth-
erwise, as the States may determine desirable for
making the agreements and compacts effective.
‘‘(3) LAKE TAHOE REGION.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall—
‘‘(i) establish with the Federal land
management agencies that have jurisdiction
over land in the Lake Tahoe region (as de-
fined in the Lake Tahoe Regional Planning
Compact) a transportation planning proc-
ess for the region; and
‘‘(ii) coordinate the transportation
planning process with the planning process
required of State and local governments
under this section, section 135, and chapter
53 of title 49.
‘‘(B) INTERSTATE COMPACT.—
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to clause
(ii), notwithstanding subsection (b), to
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carry out the transportation planning proc-
ess required by this section, the consent of
Congress is granted to the States of Califor-
nia and Nevada to designate a metropolitan
planning organization for the Lake Tahoe
region, by agreement between the Governors
of the States of California and Nevada and
units of general purpose local government
that together represent at least 75 percent of
the affected population (including the cen-
tral city or cities (as defined by the Bureau
of the Census)), or in accordance with pro-
cedures established by applicable State or
local law.
‘‘(ii) INVOLVEMENT OF FEDERAL LAND
MANAGEMENT AGENCIES.—
‘‘(I) REPRESENTATION.—The pol-
icy board of a metropolitan planning
organization designated under sub-
paragraph (A) shall include a rep-
resentative of each Federal land man-
agement agency that has jurisdiction
over land in the Lake Tahoe region.
‘‘(II) FUNDING.—In addition to
funds made available to the metropoli-
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tan planning organization under other
provisions of this title and under chap-
ter 53 of title 49, not more than 1 per-
cent of the funds allocated under sec-
tion 202 may be used to carry out the
transportation planning process for the
Lake Tahoe region under this subpara-
graph.
‘‘(C) ACTIVITIES.—
‘‘(i) HIGHWAY
PROJECTS.—Highway
projects included in transportation plans
developed under this paragraph—
‘‘(I) shall be selected for funding
in a manner that facilitates the par-
ticipation of the Federal land manage-
ment agencies that have jurisdiction
over land in the Lake Tahoe region;
and
‘‘(II) may, in accordance with
chapter 2, be funded using funds allo-
cated under section 202.
‘‘(ii) 
TRANSIT
PROJECTS.—Transit
projects included in transportation plans
developed under this paragraph may, in ac-
cordance with chapter 53 of title 49, be
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funded using amounts apportioned under
that title for—
‘‘(I) capital project funding, in
order to accelerate completion of the
transit projects; and
‘‘(II) 
operating 
assistance, 
in
order to pay the operating costs of the
transit projects, including operating
costs 
associated 
with 
unique 
cir-
cumstances in the Lake Tahoe region,
such as seasonal fluctuations in pas-
senger loadings, adverse weather condi-
tions, and increasing intermodal needs.
‘‘(e) COORDINATION OF METROPOLITAN PLANNING OR-
GANIZATIONS.—If more than 1 metropolitan planning or-
ganization has authority within a metropolitan planning
area or an area that is designated as a nonattainment area
for ozone or carbon monoxide under the Clean Air Act (42
U.S.C. 7401 et seq.), each such metropolitan planning orga-
nization shall consult with the other metropolitan planning
organizations designated for the area and the State in the
development of plans and programs required by this section.
‘‘(f) SCOPE OF PLANNING PROCESS.—The metropoli-
tan transportation planning process for a metropolitan
area under this section shall consider the following:
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‘‘(1) Supporting the economic vitality of the met-
ropolitan area, especially by enabling global competi-
tiveness, productivity, and efficiency.
‘‘(2) Increasing the safety and security of the
transportation system for motorized and non-
motorized users.
‘‘(3) Increasing the accessibility and mobility
options available to people and for freight.
‘‘(4) Protecting and enhancing the environment,
promoting energy conservation, and improving qual-
ity of life through land use planning.
‘‘(5) Enhancing the integration and connectivity
of the transportation system, across and between
modes, for people and freight.
‘‘(6) Promoting efficient system management
and operation.
‘‘(7) Emphasizing the preservation of the exist-
ing transportation system.
‘‘(g) DEVELOPMENT
OF
LONG-RANGE
TRANSPOR-
TATION PLAN.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—
‘‘(A) DEVELOPMENT.—In accordance with
this subsection, each metropolitan planning or-
ganization shall develop, and update periodi-
cally, according to a schedule that the Secretary
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determines to be appropriate, a long-range trans-
portation plan for its metropolitan area.
‘‘(B) FORECAST
PERIOD.—In developing
long-range transportation plans, the metropoli-
tan planning process shall address—
‘‘(i) the considerations under sub-
section (f); and
‘‘(ii) any State or local goals developed
within the cooperative metropolitan plan-
ning process;
as they relate to a 20-year forecast period and
to other forecast periods as determined by the
participants in the planning process.
‘‘(C) FUNDING ESTIMATES.—For the pur-
pose of developing the long-range transportation
plan, the State shall consult with the metropoli-
tan planning organization and each public tran-
sit agency in developing estimates of funds that
are reasonably expected to be available to sup-
port plan implementation.
‘‘(2) LONG-RANGE
TRANSPORTATION
PLAN.—A
long-range transportation plan under this subsection
shall, at a minimum, contain—
‘‘(A) an identification of transportation fa-
cilities (including major roadways and transit,
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multimodal, and intermodal facilities) that
should function as a future integrated transpor-
tation system, giving emphasis to those facilities
that serve important national, regional, and
metropolitan transportation functions;
‘‘(B) an identification of transportation
strategies necessary to—
‘‘(i) ensure preservation, including re-
quirements for management, operation,
modernization, and rehabilitation, of the ex-
isting and future transportation system;
and
‘‘(ii) make the most efficient use of ex-
isting transportation facilities to relieve
congestion, to efficiently serve the mobility
needs of people and goods, and to enhance
access within the metropolitan planning
area; and
‘‘(C) a financial plan that demonstrates
how the long-range transportation plan can be
implemented, indicates total resources from pub-
lic and private sources that are reasonably ex-
pected to be available to carry out the plan
(without any requirement for indicating project-
specific funding sources), and recommends any
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additional 
financing 
strategies 
for 
needed
projects and programs.
‘‘(3) COORDINATION WITH CLEAN AIR ACT AGEN-
CIES.—In metropolitan areas that are in nonattain-
ment for ozone or carbon monoxide under the Clean
Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.), the metropolitan
planning organization shall coordinate the develop-
ment of a long-range transportation plan with the
process for development of the transportation control
measures of the State implementation plan required
by that Act.
‘‘(4) PARTICIPATION BY INTERESTED PARTIES.—
Before adopting a long-range transportation plan,
each metropolitan planning organization shall pro-
vide citizens, affected public agencies, representatives
of transportation agency employees, freight shippers,
private providers of transportation, and other inter-
ested parties with a reasonable opportunity to com-
ment on the long-range transportation plan.
‘‘(5) PUBLICATION OF LONG-RANGE TRANSPOR-
TATION PLAN.—Each long-range transportation plan
prepared by a metropolitan planning organization
shall be—
‘‘(A) published or otherwise made readily
available for public review; and
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‘‘(B) submitted for information purposes to
the Governor at such times and in such manner
as the Secretary shall establish.
‘‘(h) METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM.—
‘‘(1) DEVELOPMENT.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In cooperation with the
State and any affected public transit operator,
the metropolitan planning organization des-
ignated for a metropolitan area shall develop a
transportation improvement program for the
area for which the organization is designated.
‘‘(B) OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT.—In de-
veloping the program, the metropolitan planning
organization, in cooperation with the State and
any affected public transit operator, shall pro-
vide citizens, affected public agencies, representa-
tives of transportation agency employees, other
affected employee representatives, freight ship-
pers, private providers of transportation, and
other interested parties with a reasonable oppor-
tunity to comment on the proposed program.
‘‘(C) FUNDING ESTIMATES.—For the pur-
pose of developing the transportation improve-
ment program, the metropolitan planning orga-
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nization, public transit agency, and State shall
cooperatively develop estimates of funds that are
reasonably expected to be available to support
program implementation.
‘‘(D) UPDATING AND APPROVAL.—The pro-
gram shall be updated at least once every 2 years
and shall be approved by the metropolitan plan-
ning organization and the Governor.
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—The transportation improve-
ment program shall include—
‘‘(A) a list, in order of priority, of proposed
federally supported projects and strategies to be
carried out within each 3-year-period after the
initial adoption of the transportation improve-
ment program; and
‘‘(B) a financial plan that—
‘‘(i) demonstrates how the transpor-
tation improvement program can be imple-
mented;
‘‘(ii) indicates resources from public
and private sources that are reasonably ex-
pected to be available to carry out the pro-
gram (without any requirement for indicat-
ing project-specific funding sources); and
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‘‘(iii) identifies innovative financing
techniques to finance projects, programs,
and strategies (without any requirement for
indicating project-specific funding sources).
‘‘(3) INCLUDED PROJECTS.—
‘‘(A) 
CHAPTER
AND
CHAPTER
PROJECTS.—A transportation improvement pro-
gram developed under this subsection for a met-
ropolitan area shall include the projects and
strategies within the area that are proposed for
funding under chapter 1 of this title and chapter
53 of title 49.
‘‘(B) CHAPTER 2 PROJECTS.—
‘‘(i) 
REGIONALLY
SIGNIFICANT
PROJECTS.—Regionally significant projects
proposed for funding under chapter 2 of this
title shall be identified individually in the
transportation improvement program.
‘‘(ii) OTHER PROJECTS.—Projects pro-
posed for funding under chapter 2 of this
title that are not determined to be region-
ally significant shall be grouped in 1 line
item or identified individually in the trans-
portation improvement program.
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‘‘(C) 
CONSISTENCY
WITH
LONG-RANGE
TRANSPORTATION PLAN.—Each project shall be
consistent with the long-range transportation
plan developed under subsection (g) for the area.
‘‘(D) REQUIREMENT OF ANTICIPATED FULL
FUNDING.—The program shall include a project,
or an identified phase of a project, only if full
funding can reasonably be anticipated to be
available for the project within the time period
contemplated for completion of the project.
‘‘(4) NOTICE AND COMMENT.—Before approving
a transportation improvement program, a metropoli-
tan planning organization shall, in cooperation with
the State and any affected public transit operator,
provide citizens, affected public agencies, representa-
tives of transportation agency employees, private pro-
viders of transportation, and other interested parties
with reasonable notice of and an opportunity to com-
ment on the proposed program.
‘‘(5) SELECTION OF PROJECTS.—
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Except as otherwise
provided in subsection (i)(4) and in addition to
the transportation improvement program devel-
opment required under paragraph (1), the selec-
tion of federally funded projects for implementa-
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tion in metropolitan areas shall be carried out,
from the approved transportation improvement
program—
‘‘(i) by—
‘‘(I) in the case of projects under
chapter 1, the State; and
‘‘(II) in the case of projects under
chapter 53 of title 49, the designated
transit funding recipients; and
‘‘(ii) in cooperation with the metro-
politan planning organization.
‘‘(B) MODIFICATIONS TO PROJECT PRIOR-
ITY.—Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, action by the Secretary shall not be required
to advance a project included in the approved
transportation improvement program in place of
another project of higher priority in the pro-
gram.
‘‘(i) TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT AREAS.—
‘‘(1) DESIGNATION.—
‘‘(A) REQUIRED DESIGNATIONS.—The Sec-
retary shall designate as a transportation man-
agement area each urbanized area with a popu-
lation of over 200,000 individuals.
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ally funded projects carried out within the
boundaries of a transportation management area
under this title (excluding projects carried out on
the National Highway System) or under chapter
53 of title 49 shall be selected for implementation
from the approved transportation improvement
program by the metropolitan planning organiza-
tion designated for the area in consultation with
the State and any affected public transit opera-
tor.
‘‘(B) 
NATIONAL
HIGHWAY
SYSTEM
PROJECTS.—Projects carried out within the
boundaries of a transportation management area
on the National Highway System shall be se-
lected for implementation from the approved
transportation improvement program by the
State in cooperation with the metropolitan plan-
ning organization designated for the area.
‘‘(5) CERTIFICATION.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall—
‘‘(i) ensure that the metropolitan plan-
ning process in each transportation man-
agement area is being carried out in ac-
cordance with applicable provisions of Fed-
eral law; and
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‘‘(ii) subject to subparagraph (B), cer-
tify, not less often than once every 3 years,
that the requirements of this paragraph are
met with respect to the transportation man-
agement area.
‘‘(B) 
REQUIREMENTS
FOR
CERTIFI-
CATION.—The Secretary may make the certifi-
cation under subparagraph (A) if—
‘‘(i) the transportation planning proc-
ess complies with the requirements of this
section and other applicable requirements of
Federal law;
‘‘(ii) there is a transportation improve-
ment program for the area that has been
approved by the metropolitan planning or-
ganization and the Governor;
‘‘(iii) the public has been given ade-
quate opportunity during the certification
process to comment on—
‘‘(I) the public participation proc-
ess conducted by the metropolitan
planning organization; and
‘‘(II) the extent to which the
transportation improvement program
for the metropolitan area takes into ac-
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count the needs of the entire metropoli-
tan area, including the needs of low
and moderate income residents, and
the requirement of title VI of the Civil
Rights Act; and
‘‘(iv) public comments are—
‘‘(I) included in the documenta-
tion supporting the metropolitan plan-
ning organization’s request for certifi-
cation; and
‘‘(II) made publicly available.
‘‘(C) EFFECT OF FAILURE TO CERTIFY.—
‘‘(i) WITHHOLDING
OF
FUNDS.—If a
metropolitan planning process is not cer-
tified, the Secretary may withhold up to 20
percent of the apportioned funds attrib-
utable to the transportation management
area under this title and chapter 53 of title
49.
‘‘(ii) 
RESTORATION
OF
WITHHELD
FUNDS.—The withheld apportionments shall
be restored to the metropolitan area at such
time as the metropolitan planning organi-
zation is certified by the Secretary.
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‘‘(iii) FEASIBILITY OF PRIVATE ENTER-
PRISE PARTICIPATION.—The Secretary shall
not withhold certification under this para-
graph based on the policies and criteria es-
tablished by a metropolitan planning orga-
nization or transit grant recipient for deter-
mining the feasibility of private enterprise
participation in accordance with section
5306(a) of title 49.
‘‘(j) ABBREVIATED PLANS AND PROGRAMS FOR CER-
TAIN AREAS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), in
the case of a metropolitan area not designated as a
transportation management area under this section,
the Secretary may provide for the development of an
abbreviated metropolitan transportation plan and
program that the Secretary determines is appropriate
to achieve the purposes of this section, taking into ac-
count the complexity of transportation problems in
the area.
‘‘(2) NONATTAINMENT
AREAS.—The Secretary
may not permit abbreviated plans or programs for a
metropolitan area that is in nonattainment for ozone
or carbon monoxide under the Clean Air Act (42
U.S.C. 7401 et seq.).
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‘‘(k) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN NON-
ATTAINMENT AREAS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other
provision of this title or chapter 53 of title 49, in the
case of a transportation management area classified
as nonattainment for ozone or carbon monoxide under
the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.), Federal
funds may not be programmed in the area for any
highway project that will result in a significant in-
crease in carrying capacity for single occupant vehi-
cles unless the project results from an approved con-
gestion management system.
‘‘(2) APPLICABILITY.—This subsection applies to
a nonattainment area within the metropolitan plan-
ning area boundaries determined under subsection
(c).
‘‘(l) LIMITATION.—Nothing in this section confers on
a metropolitan planning organization the authority to im-
pose any legal requirement on any transportation facility,
provider, or project not eligible for assistance under this
title or chapter 53 of title 49.
‘‘(m) FUNDING.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Funds set aside under sec-
tion 104(f) of this title and section 5303 of title 49
shall be available to carry out this section.
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‘‘(2) UNUSED FUNDS.—Any funds that are not
used to carry out this section may be made available
by the metropolitan planning organization to the
State to fund activities under section 135.’’.
(b) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chap-
ter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by striking
the item relating to section 134 and inserting the following:
‘‘134. Metropolitan planning.’’.
SEC. 1602. STATEWIDE PLANNING.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 135 of title 23, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
‘‘§ 135. Statewide planning
‘‘(a) GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.—
‘‘(1) FINDINGS.—It is in the national interest to
encourage and promote the safe and efficient manage-
ment, operation, and development of surface transpor-
tation systems that will serve the mobility needs of
people and freight throughout each State.
‘‘(2) DEVELOPMENT OF PLANS AND PROGRAMS.—
Subject to section 134 of this title and sections 5303
through 5305 of title 49, each State shall develop
transportation plans and programs for all areas of
the State.
‘‘(3) CONTENTS.—The plans and programs for
each State shall provide for the development and inte-
grated management and operation of transportation
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systems (including pedestrian walkways and bicycle
transportation facilities) that will function as an
intermodal State transportation system and an inte-
gral part of the intermodal transportation system of
the United States.
‘‘(4) PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT.—The process
for developing the plans and programs shall provide
for consideration of all modes of transportation and
shall be continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive to
the degree appropriate, based on the complexity of the
transportation problems to be addressed.
‘‘(b) SCOPE OF PLANNING PROCESS.—Each State shall
carry out a transportation planning process that shall con-
sider the following:
‘‘(1) Supporting the economic vitality of the
United States, the States, and metropolitan areas, es-
pecially by enabling global competitiveness, produc-
tivity, and efficiency.
‘‘(2) Increasing the safety and security of the
transportation system for motorized and non-
motorized users.
‘‘(3) Increasing the accessibility and mobility
options available to people and for freight.
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‘‘(4) Protecting and enhancing the environment,
promoting energy conservation, and improving qual-
ity of life through land use planning.
‘‘(5) Enhancing the integration and connectivity
of the transportation system, across and between
modes throughout the State, for people and freight.
‘‘(6) Promoting efficient system management
and operation.
‘‘(7) Emphasizing the preservation of the exist-
ing transportation system.
‘‘(c) COORDINATION WITH METROPOLITAN PLANNING;
STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.—In carrying out planning
under this section, a State shall—
‘‘(1) coordinate the planning with the transpor-
tation planning activities carried out under section
134 for metropolitan areas of the State; and
‘‘(2) carry out the responsibilities of the State for
the development of the transportation portion of the
State air quality implementation plan to the extent
required by the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et
seq.).
‘‘(d) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out
planning under this section, each State shall, at a mini-
mum, consider—
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‘‘(1) with respect to nonmetropolitan areas, the
concerns of local elected officials representing units of
general purpose local government;
‘‘(2) the concerns of Indian tribal governments
and Federal land management agencies that have ju-
risdiction over land within the boundaries of the
State; and
‘‘(3) coordination of transportation plans, pro-
grams, and planning activities with related planning
activities being carried out outside of metropolitan
planning areas.
‘‘(e) LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN.—
‘‘(1) DEVELOPMENT.—Each State shall develop a
long-range transportation plan, with a minimum 20-
year forecast period, for all areas of the State, that
provides for the development and implementation of
the intermodal transportation system of the State.
‘‘(2) CONSULTATION WITH GOVERNMENTS.—
‘‘(A) METROPOLITAN AREAS.—With respect
to each metropolitan area in the State, the plan
shall be developed in cooperation with the metro-
politan planning organization designated for the
metropolitan area under section 134 of this title
and section 5305 of title 49.
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‘‘(B) NONMETROPOLITAN AREAS.—With re-
spect to each nonmetropolitan area, the plan
shall be developed in consultation with local
elected officials representing units of general pur-
pose local government.
‘‘(C) INDIAN TRIBAL AREAS.—With respect
to each area of the State under the jurisdiction
of an Indian tribal government, the plan shall be
developed in consultation with the tribal govern-
ment and the Secretary of the Interior.
‘‘(3) PARTICIPATION BY INTERESTED PARTIES.—
In developing the plan, the State shall—
‘‘(A) provide citizens, affected public agen-
cies, representatives of transportation agency em-
ployees, other affected employee representatives,
freight shippers, private providers of transpor-
tation, and other interested parties with a rea-
sonable opportunity to comment on the proposed
plan; and
‘‘(B) identify transportation strategies nec-
essary to efficiently serve the mobility needs of
people.
‘‘(f) STATE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PRO-
GRAM.—
‘‘(1) DEVELOPMENT.—
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‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The State shall develop
a transportation improvement program for all
areas of the State.
‘‘(B) 
CONSULTATION
WITH
GOVERN-
MENTS.—
‘‘(i) METROPOLITAN AREAS.—With re-
spect to each metropolitan area in the
State, the program shall be developed in co-
operation with the metropolitan planning
organization designated for the metropoli-
tan area under section 134 of this title and
section 5305 of title 49.
‘‘(ii) NONMETROPOLITAN AREAS.—
‘‘(I) IN
GENERAL.—With respect
to each nonmetropolitan area in the
State, the program shall be developed
in cooperation with the State, elected
officials of affected local governments,
and elected officials of subdivisions of
affected local governments that have ju-
risdiction over transportation plan-
ning, through a process developed by
the State that ensures participation by
the elected officials.
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‘‘(II) REVIEW.—Not less than
once every 2 years, the Secretary shall
review the planning process through
which the program was developed
under subclause (I).
‘‘(III) APPROVAL.—The Secretary
shall approve the planning process if
the Secretary finds that the planning
process is consistent with this section
and section 134.
‘‘(iii) INDIAN
TRIBAL
AREAS.—With
respect to each area of the State under the
jurisdiction of an Indian tribal government,
the program shall be developed in consulta-
tion with the tribal government and the
Secretary of the Interior.
‘‘(C) PARTICIPATION BY INTERESTED PAR-
TIES.—In developing the program, the Governor
shall provide citizens, affected public agencies,
representatives of transportation agency employ-
ees, other affected employee representatives,
freight shippers, private providers of transpor-
tation, and other interested parties with a rea-
sonable opportunity to comment on the proposed
program.
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‘‘(2) INCLUDED PROJECTS.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A transportation im-
provement program developed under this sub-
section for a State shall include federally sup-
ported surface transportation expenditures with-
in the boundaries of the State.
‘‘(B) CHAPTER 2 PROJECTS.—
‘‘(i) 
REGIONALLY
SIGNIFICANT
PROJECTS.—Regionally significant projects
proposed for funding under chapter 2 shall
be identified individually.
‘‘(ii) OTHER PROJECTS.—Projects pro-
posed for funding under chapter 2 that are
not determined to be regionally significant
shall be grouped in 1 line item or identified
individually.
‘‘(C) 
CONSISTENCY
WITH
LONG-RANGE
TRANSPORTATION PLAN.—Each project shall—
‘‘(i) be consistent with the long-range
transportation plan developed under this
section for the State;
‘‘(ii) be identical to the project as de-
scribed in an approved metropolitan trans-
portation improvement program; and
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‘‘(iii) be in conformance with the ap-
plicable State air quality implementation
plan developed under the Clean Air Act (42
U.S.C. 7401 et seq.), if the project is carried
out in an area designated as nonattainment
for ozone or carbon monoxide under that
Act.
‘‘(D) REQUIREMENT OF ANTICIPATED FULL
FUNDING.—
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The program shall
include a project, or an identified phase of
a project, only if full funding can reason-
ably be anticipated to be available for the
project within the time period contemplated
for completion of the project.
‘‘(ii) LIMITATION.—Clause (i) does not
require the indication of project-specific
funding sources.
‘‘(E) PRIORITIES.—The program shall re-
flect the priorities for programming and expend-
itures of funds, including transportation en-
hancements, required by this title.
‘‘(3) PROJECT SELECTION FOR AREAS OF LESS
THAN 50,000 POPULATION.—
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‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Projects carried out in
areas with populations of less than 50,000 indi-
viduals (excluding projects carried out on the
National Highway System) shall be selected,
from the approved statewide transportation im-
provement program, by the State in cooperation
with the affected local officials.
‘‘(B) 
NATIONAL
HIGHWAY
SYSTEM
PROJECTS.—Projects carried out in areas de-
scribed in subparagraph (A) on the National
Highway System shall be selected, from the ap-
proved statewide transportation improvement
program, by the State in consultation with the
affected local officials.
‘‘(4) BIENNIAL
REVIEW
AND
APPROVAL.—A
transportation improvement program developed under
this subsection shall be reviewed and, on a finding
that the planning process through which the program
was developed is consistent with this section and sec-
tion 134, approved not less frequently than biennially
by the Secretary.
‘‘(5) MODIFICATIONS TO PROJECT PRIORITY.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, action
by the Secretary shall not be required to advance a
project included in the approved statewide transpor-
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tation improvement program in place of another
project of higher priority in the program.
‘‘(g) FUNDING.—Funds set aside under section 505 of
this title and section 5313(b) of title 49 shall be available
to carry out this section.
‘‘(h) CONTINUATION
OF CURRENT REVIEW PRAC-
TICE.—Since plans and programs described in this section
or section 134 are subject to a reasonable opportunity for
public comment, since individual projects included in the
plans and programs are subject to review under the Na-
tional Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321
et seq.), and since decisions by the Secretary concerning
plans and programs described in this section have not been
reviewed under that Act as of January 1, 1997, any deci-
sion by the Secretary concerning a plan or program de-
scribed in this section or section 134 shall not be considered
to be a Federal action subject to review under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.).’’.
(b) REDUNDANT
METROPOLITAN
TRANSPORTATION
PLANNING REQUIREMENTS.—
(1) FINDING.—Congress finds that certain major
investment study requirements under section 450.318
of title 23, Code of Federal Regulations, are redun-
dant to the planning and project development proc-
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esses required under other provisions in titles 23 and
49, United States Code.
(2) STREAMLINING.—
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall
streamline the Federal transportation planning
and NEPA decision process requirements for all
transportation improvements supported with
Federal surface transportation funds or requir-
ing Federal approvals, with the objective of re-
ducing the number of documents required and
better integrating required analyses and findings
wherever possible.
(B) REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall
amend regulations as appropriate and develop
procedures to—
(i) eliminate, within six months of the
date of enactment of this section, the major
investment study under section 450.318 of
title 23, Code of Federal Regulations, as a
stand-alone requirement independent of
other transportation planning requirements,
and integrate those components of the major
investment study procedure which are not
duplicated elsewhere with other transpor-
tation planning requirements, provided that
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in integrating such requirements, the Sec-
retary shall not apply such requirements to
any project which previously would not
have been subject to section 450.318 of title
23, Code of Federal Regulations;
(ii) eliminate stand-alone report re-
quirements wherever possible;
(iii) prevent duplication by drawing
on the products of the planning process in
the completion of all environmental and
other project development analyses;
(iv) reduce project development time by
achieving to the maximum extent prac-
ticable a single public interest decision
process for Federal environmental analyses
and clearances; and
(v) expedite and support all phases of
decisionmaking by encouraging and facili-
tating the early involvement of metropolitan
planning organizations, State departments
of transportation, transit operators, and
Federal and State environmental resource
and permit agencies throughout the deci-
sionmaking process.
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(3) SAVINGS
CLAUSE.—Nothing in this sub-
section shall affect the responsibility of the Secretary
to conform review requirements for transit projects
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
to comparable requirements under such Act applicable
to highway projects.
SEC. 1603. ADVANCED TRAVEL FORECASTING PROCEDURES
PROGRAM.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish
an advanced travel forecasting procedures program—
(1) to provide for completion of the advanced
transportation model developed under the Transpor-
tation Analysis Simulation System (referred to in
this section as ‘‘TRANSIMS’’); and
(2) to provide support for early deployment of
the advanced transportation modeling computer soft-
ware 
and 
graphics 
package 
developed 
under
TRANSIMS and the program established under this
section to States, local governments, and metropolitan
planning organizations with responsibility for travel
modeling.
(b) ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary shall use
funds made available under this section to—
(1) provide funding for completion of core devel-
opment of the advanced transportation model;
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(2) develop user-friendly advanced transpor-
tation modeling computer software and graphics
packages;
(3) provide training and technical assistance
with respect to the implementation and application of
the advanced transportation model to States, local
governments, and metropolitan planning organiza-
tions with responsibility for travel modeling; and
(4) allocate funds to not more than 12 entities
described in paragraph (3), representing a diversity
of populations and geographic regions, for a pilot
program to enable transportation management areas
designated under section 134(i) of title 23, United
States Code, to convert from the use of travel forecast-
ing procedures in use by the areas as of the date of
enactment of this Act to the use of the advanced
transportation model.
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There shall be available from
the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Tran-
sit Account) to carry out this section $4,000,000 for
fiscal year 1998, $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1999,
$6,500,000 for fiscal year 2000, $5,000,000 for fiscal
year 2001, $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, and
$2,500,000 for fiscal year 2003.
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(2) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.—
(A) FISCAL YEARS 1998 AND 1999.—For each
of fiscal years 1998 and 1999, 100 percent of the
funds made available under paragraph (1) shall
be allocated to activities in described in para-
graphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (b).
(B) FISCAL YEARS 2000 THROUGH 2003.—
For each of fiscal years 2000 through 2003, not
more than 50 percent of the funds made avail-
able under paragraph (1) may be allocated to ac-
tivities described in subsection (b)(4).
(3) CONTRACT
AUTHORITY.—Funds authorized
under this subsection shall be available for obligation
in the same manner as if the funds were apportioned
under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, except
that the Federal share of the cost of—
(A) any activity described in paragraph
(1), (2), or (3) of subsection (b) shall not exceed
100 percent; and
(B) any activity described in subsection
(b)(4) shall not exceed 80 percent.
SEC. 1604. TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNITY AND SYS-
TEM PRESERVATION PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—In cooperation with appro-
priate State, regional, and local governments, the Secretary
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shall establish a comprehensive initiative to investigate and
address the relationships between transportation and com-
munity and system preservation.
(b) RESEARCH.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—In cooperation with appro-
priate Federal agencies, State, regional, and local
governments, and other entities eligible for assistance
under subsection (d), the Secretary shall carry out a
comprehensive research program to investigate the re-
lationships between transportation, community pres-
ervation, and the environment.
(2) REQUIRED ELEMENTS.—The program shall
provide for monitoring and analysis of projects car-
ried out with funds made available to carry out sub-
sections (c) and (d).
(c) PLANNING.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall allocate
funds made available to carry out this subsection to
States, metropolitan planning organizations, and
local governments to plan, develop, and implement
strategies to integrate transportation and community
and system preservation plans and practices.
(2) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the allocations
shall be—
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(A) to improve the efficiency of the trans-
portation system;
(B) to reduce the impacts of transportation
on the environment;
(C) to reduce the need for costly future in-
vestments in public infrastructure; and
(D) to provide efficient access to jobs, serv-
ices, and centers of trade.
(3) CRITERIA.—In allocating funds made avail-
able to carry out this subsection, the Secretary shall
give priority to applicants that—
(A) propose projects for funding that ad-
dress the purposes described in paragraph (2);
(B) demonstrate a commitment to public
involvement, including involvement of nontradi-
tional partners in the project team; and
(C) demonstrate a commitment of non-Fed-
eral resources to the proposed projects.
(d) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR IMPLEMENTATION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall allocate
funds made available to carry out this subsection to
States, metropolitan planning organizations, and
local governments to carry out projects to address
transportation efficiency and community and system
preservation.
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(2) CRITERIA.—In allocating funds made avail-
able to carry out this subsection, the Secretary shall
give priority to applicants that—
(A) have instituted preservation or develop-
ment plans and programs that—
(i) meet the requirements of title 23
and chapter 53 of title 49, United States
Code; and
(ii) are—
(I) coordinated with adopted pres-
ervation or development plans; or
(II) intended to promote cost-effec-
tive and strategic investments in trans-
portation infrastructure that minimize
adverse impacts on the environment;
(B) have instituted other policies to inte-
grate transportation and community and system
preservation practices, such as—
(i) spending policies that direct funds
to high-growth areas;
(ii) urban growth boundaries to guide
metropolitan expansion;
(iii) ‘‘green corridors’’ programs that
provide access to major highway corridors
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for areas targeted for efficient and compact
development; or
(iv) other similar programs or policies
as determined by the Secretary;
(C) have preservation or development poli-
cies that include a mechanism for reducing po-
tential impacts of transportation activities on
the environment; and
(D) propose projects for funding that ad-
dress the purposes described in subsection (c)(2).
(3) EQUITABLE
DISTRIBUTION.—In allocating
funds to carry out this subsection, the Secretary shall
ensure the equitable distribution of funds to a diver-
sity of populations and geographic regions.
(4) USE OF ALLOCATED FUNDS.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—An allocation of funds
made available to carry out this subsection shall
be used by the recipient to implement the
projects proposed in the application to the Sec-
retary.
(B) TYPES OF PROJECTS.—The allocation of
funds shall be available for obligation for—
(i) any project eligible for funding
under title 23 or chapter 53 of title 49,
United States Code; or
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(ii) any other activity relating to
transportation and community and system
preservation that the Secretary determines
to be appropriate, including corridor pres-
ervation activities that are necessary to im-
plement—
(I) transit-oriented development
plans;
(II) traffic calming measures; or
(III) other coordinated transpor-
tation and community and system
preservation practices.
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There shall be available from
the Highway Trust Fund (other than the Mass Tran-
sit Account) to carry out this section $20,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 1998 through 2003.
(2) CONTRACT
AUTHORITY.—Funds authorized
under this subsection shall be available for obligation
in the same manner as if the funds were apportioned
under chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code.
Subtitle G—Technical Corrections
SEC. 1701. FEDERAL-AID SYSTEMS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 103 of title 23, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
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‘‘§ 103. Federal-aid systems
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—For the purposes of this title, the
Federal-aid systems are the Interstate System and the Na-
tional Highway System.
‘‘(b) NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM.—
‘‘(1) DESCRIPTION.—The National Highway
System consists of an interconnected system of major
routes and connectors that—
‘‘(A) serve major population centers, inter-
national border crossings, ports, airports, public
transportation facilities, and other intermodal
transportation facilities and other major travel
destinations;
‘‘(B) meet national defense requirements;
and
‘‘(C) serve interstate and interregional trav-
el.
‘‘(2) COMPONENTS.—The National Highway
System consists of the following:
‘‘(A) The Interstate System described in
subsection (c).
‘‘(B) Other urban and rural principal arte-
rial routes.
‘‘(C) Other connector highways (including
toll facilities) that provide motor vehicle access
between arterial routes on the National Highway
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System and a major intermodal transportation
facility.
‘‘(D) A strategic highway network consist-
ing of a network of highways that are important
to the United States strategic defense policy and
that provide defense access, continuity, and
emergency capabilities for the movement of per-
sonnel, materials, and equipment in both peace-
time and wartime. The highways may be high-
ways on or off the Interstate System and shall
be designated by the Secretary in consultation
with appropriate Federal agencies and the
States.
‘‘(E) Major strategic highway network con-
nectors consisting of highways that provide
motor vehicle access between major military in-
stallations and highways that are part of the
strategic highway network. The highways shall
be designated by the Secretary in consultation
with appropriate Federal agencies and the
States.
‘‘(3) MAXIMUM MILEAGE.—The mileage of high-
ways on the National Highway System shall not ex-
ceed 178,250 miles.
‘‘(4) MODIFICATIONS TO NHS.—
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‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may
make any modification, including any modifica-
tion consisting of a connector to a major inter-
modal terminal, to the National Highway Sys-
tem that is proposed by a State or that is pro-
posed by a State and revised by the Secretary if
the Secretary determines that the modification—
‘‘(i) meets the criteria established for
the National Highway System under this
title; and
‘‘(ii) enhances the national transpor-
tation characteristics of the National High-
way System.
‘‘(B) COOPERATION.—
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—In proposing a
modification under this paragraph, a State
shall cooperate with local and regional offi-
cials.
‘‘(ii) URBANIZED AREAS.—In an ur-
banized area, the local officials shall act
through the metropolitan planning organi-
zation designated for the area under section
134.
‘‘(c) INTERSTATE SYSTEM.—
‘‘(1) DESCRIPTION.—