I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2254 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 21, 2011 Mr. Capuano (for himself, Mr. Keating, Mr. Frank of Massachusetts, Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Markey, Mrs. McCarthy of New York, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Neal, Ms. Norton, Mr. Olver, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Tierney, Ms. Tsongas, and Mr. Wu) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To amend title 23, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish national tunnel inspection standards for the proper safety inspection and evaluation of all highway tunnels, and for other purposes.
1.
National tunnel inspection program
(a)
In General
Title 23, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 149 the following:
150.
National tunnel inspection program
(a)
National Tunnel Inspection Standards
The Secretary, in consultation with State transportation departments and interested and knowledgeable private organizations and individuals, shall establish national tunnel inspection standards for the proper safety inspection and evaluation of all highway tunnels. The standards established under this subsection shall be designed to ensure uniformity among the States in the conduct of such inspections and evaluations. (b)
Minimum Requirements for Inspection Standards
The standards established under subsection (a) shall, at a minimum— (1)specify, in detail, the method by which highway tunnel inspections shall be carried out by the States; (2)establish the maximum time period between the inspections based on a risk-management approach; (3)establish the qualifications for those charged with carrying out the inspections; (4)require each State to maintain and make available to the Secretary upon request— (A)written reports on the results of the inspections together with notations of any action taken pursuant to the findings of the inspections; and (B)current inventory data for all highway tunnels located in the State reflecting the findings of the most recent highway tunnel inspections conducted; (5)establish procedures for national certification of highway tunnel inspectors; (6)establish procedures for conducting annual compliance reviews of State inspections and State implementation of quality control and quality assurance procedures; and (7)establish standards for State tunnel management systems to improve the tunnel inspection process and the quality of data collected and reported by the States to the Secretary for inclusion in the national tunnel inventory to be established under this section. (c)
Training and Certification Program for Tunnel Inspectors
The Secretary, in cooperation with State transportation departments, shall establish a program designed to ensure that all individuals carrying out highway tunnel inspections receive appropriate training and certification. Such program shall be revised from time to time to take into account new and improved techniques. (d)
National Tunnel Inventory
The Secretary shall establish a national inventory of highway tunnels reflecting the findings of the most recent highway tunnel inspections conducted by States under this section. (e)
Availability of Funds
To carry out this section, the Secretary may use funds made available pursuant to the provisions of sections 104(a) and 502.
. (b)
Surface Transportation Program
Section 133(b)(1) of such title is amended by inserting , tunnels that are eligible for assistance under this title (including safety inspection of such tunnels), after highways). (c)
Conforming Amendment
The analysis for chapter 1 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 149 the following: 150. National tunnel inspection program. .