[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 22 (Thursday, March 3, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: March 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. BAUCUS (for himself, Mr. Moynihan, Mr. Reid, Mr. Wofford,
Mr. Warner, Mr. Durenberger, Mr. Graham, and Mr. Lautenberg):
S. 1887. A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, to provide for
the designation of the National Highway System, and for other purposes;
to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
national highway system designation act of 1994
Mr. BAUCUS. Madam President, I am pleased today to introduce the
National Highway System Designation Act of 1994. I am joined by
Senators Moynihan, Warner, Durenberger, Lautenberg, Wofford, and Reid.
Madam President, I first want to congratulate Department of
Transportation Secretary Federico Pena and Federal Highway
Administrator Rodney Slater for all of their hard work in developing
the National Highway System or NHS. This map is the culmination of many
months of consultation and discussion with Federal, State and local
officials.
The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 requires
congressional approval of the National Highway System by September 30,
1995. I am happy to tell my colleagues that as chairman of the
Environment and Public Works Committee, I am committed to begin work on
this bill this year.
interstate system
In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower initiated the construction of
one of this Nation's largest public works projects--the Interstate
System. As when Jefferson made the Louisiana Purchase or when Seward
and Lincoln bought Alaska, this turned out to be one of the wisest
investments in American history. The Interstate System has served to
unite and connect every region of this country.
The Interstate System has been the catalyst behind the growth and
expansion of the U.S. economy. While the Interstate is finally nearing
completion--40 years and $130 billion later--the economic importance of
a well-maintained, interconnected system of highways continues.
In 1991, Congress recognized this by passing the Intermodal Surface
Transportation Efficiency Act; a law later known as ISTEA. ISTEA marked
a significant change in transportation policy by emphasizing
flexibility, planning, and strategic investing. ISTEA has also shifted
this country out of the Interstate era and into the National Highway
System era.
national highway system
The NHS is a network of over 159,000 miles--only 4 percent of the
nearly 4 million miles of our public roads. The NHS will carry over 40
percent of the highway traffic and carry over 70 percent of commercial
truck traffic. By identifying the NHS routes, States will be able to
better target their future investments to address the safety and
efficiency of our highways.
These are the arteries of American commerce; they connect major
population centers, border crossings, ports, and airports.
In the spirit of ISTEA, the National Highway System reflects an
emphasis on intermodal connectivity. Making sure all our various
transportation components are connected. A seamless transportation
network that encompasses all modes of transportation that will enhance
our economic competitiveness in an increasingly global economy.
For western States, such as my home State of Montana, the National
Highway System is vital. Highways are critical to the economy and way
of life in the West. Highways are virtually the only significant source
of transportation, sometimes a few buses, some air service, but the
main transportation system is highways. Highways are also a key to
travel and tourism. Many tourists will use some portion of the NHS in
the future. By linking population centers with national parks and other
tourist attractions, the NHS can contribute to the development of areas
not currently served by the Interstate.
In particular, I commend Secretary Pena and Federal Highway
Administrator Slater for recognizing the importance of considering the
legitimate transportation needs of every region of this country--both
urban and rural.
For my home State of Montana, for instance, this proposal represents
a vast improvement over a plan that was put forward by the Bush
administration. That proposal would have made it virtually impossible
for large and sparsely populated States to maintain their existing road
networks. And it would have amounted to an economic death sentence to
many rural communities in my State and other sparsely populated areas.
But the Clinton administration plan--and the bill I am introducing
today--would treat States like Montana fairly. This new map is good
news for a number of Montana communities--places like Lewistown,
Thompson Falls, Circle, Sidney, Jordan, Broadus, Miles City, Roundup,
and Malta--that would have been left in virtual isolation under the
previous proposal.
relation to nafta
The NHS also has broad and important implications for American trade
policy. The passage of the North American Free-Trade Agreement will
spur future growth in trade between the United States, Canada, and
Mexico.
The NHS not only helps to link all three countries, it enables States
to develop transportation corridors for an integrated system of roads
to meet increases in commercial vehicle use.
Almost 80 percent of the freight moving between the United States and
Mexico moves by truck. Almost 60 percent of the freight between the
United States and Canada moves by truck. Improving and maintaining the
NHS within these trade corridors will further facilitate this trade.
alleviate congestion
Making the necessary improvements to existing roadways will alleviate
much of the traffic congestion in this country. We see this in the
Washington area today--the large number of potholes in the roads has
slowed and snarled traffic, thereby increasing not only the time spent
on the road, but also increasing vehicle emissions. Focusing future
investments on the NHS routes can help alleviate the increasing
congestion problems in urban areas.
national transportation system
The declaration of policy in ISTEA states ``It is the policy of the
United States to develop a National Intermodal Transportation System
that is economically efficient and environmentally sound, provides the
foundation for the Nation to compete in the global economy, and will
move people and goods in an energy efficient manner.''
The National Highway System will serve as the backbone for such a
system. The Department of Transportation is in the process of
formulating the National Transportation System with the cooperation of
State and local officials. I applaud the Department's efforts.
While I reserve judgment on the final NTS product, I do feel it is
important to have an intermodal emphasis to future transportation
policies. This Nation cannot afford to view its transportation system
as a collection of individual modes. An integrated approach to planning
and investments is in our national interest.
conclusion
Madam President, I have outlined the purposes and goals of the NHS.
Let me now alert my colleagues to my intentions in moving this bill.
The Environment and Public Works Committee will hold hearings this
spring on the NHS and transportation policies in general.
As I mentioned earlier, the deadline for congressional action on the
NHS is September 30, 1995. While I intend to take action on this bill
this year--and I underline this year--I must warn Members that this is
not an opportunity to reopen ISTEA.
I know that Members have special highway demonstration projects that
are important to them. Let me be firm in saying that Senate
consideration of the NHS bill will not be an avenue to add new
demonstration projects. I encourage Members to restrain themselves from
requesting demonstration projects.
With the difficulty Congress continues to face with fully funding
ISTEA, I believe the Senate should continue its tradition of passing
highway bills that are free of demonstration projects.
In order for the NHS to be approved this year, it must remain a clean
bill--that is, free from extraneous and controversial items. I look
forward to working with Members of the Senate and with Chairman Norm
Mineta in the House to pass an NHS bill that will help lead American
transportation policy and American competitiveness into the next
century.
Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the
Record, as follows:
S. 1887
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Highway System
Designation Act of 1994''.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM DESIGNATION.
Section 103 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection:
``(c) National Highway System Designation.--
``(1) Designation.--The most recent National Highway System
as submitted by the Secretary of Transportation pursuant to
this section is hereby designated to be the National Highway
System.
``(2) Modifications.--
``(A) In general.--At the request of a
State, the Secretary may--
``(i) add a new route segment to the National Highway
System, including a new intermodal connection; or
``(ii) delete a then existing route segment and any
connection to the route segment,
if the total mileage of the National Highway System
(including any route segment or connection proposed to be
added under this subparagraph) does not exceed 165,000 miles
(265,542 kilometers.)
``(B) Procedures for changes requested by states.--Each
State that makes a request for a change in the National
Highway System pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall establish
that each change in a route segment or connection referred to
in such subparagraph has been identified by the State, in
cooperation with local officials, pursuant to applicable
transportation planning activities for metropolitan areas
carried out under section 134 and statewide planning
processes carried out under section 135.
``(3) Approval by the secretary.--The Secretary may approve
a request made by a State for a change in the National
Highway System pursuant to paragraph (2) if the Secretary
determines that the change--
``(A) meets the criteria established for the National
Highway System under this title; and
``(B) enhances the national transportation characteristics
of the National Highway System.''.
Mr. WARNER. Madam President, I am pleased to join with Chairman
Baucus and other colleagues to introduce legislation to designate the
National Highway System.
The National Highway System is the cornerstone of the 1991 Intermodal
Surface Transportation and Efficiency Act [ISTEA] to ensure that our
rail, air, and surface transportation network perform to maximum
efficiency to move goods and people across the country.
Through the designation of the NHS, we reaffirm the direct Federal
responsibility to maintain essential elements of a core network of our
interstate system, plus strategic defense highways, and other primary
routes.
While the hallmark of ISTEA was its flexibility for States to address
their most pressing priorities, the NHS provides the assurance that a
quality transportation system will be maintained to assist the flow of
commerce between States and into international markets.
I am also committed to developing an efficient, modern, and safe
National Highway System because I believe it should be the first of our
systems to benefit from the application of new and emerging
technologies. The Intelligent Vehicle Highway System or the so-called
smart highways presents a good example of emerging technologies with
great potential for improving highway safety and efficiency.
In Virginia, the twin problems of congestion and safety in major
urban/suburban areas have been the focus of our transportation policy
for some time. Interstate highways approach complete gridlock during
peak travel periods with the result that commuters cannot get to work
and interstate commerce is delayed. That translates into reduced
productivity and wasted time and money.
Throughout my service on the Environment and Public Works Committee,
I have been concerned about the safety of our surface transportation
system for the traveling public.
While we have experienced a decrease in highway fatalities in recent
years because of seatbelt and speed limit laws, both of which I have
supported, the number of highway-related casualties each year is still
far too high. More than 40,000 persons are killed and another 5 million
persons injured each year in traffic accidents.
The allocation of resources to bring IVHS technologies to the
National Highway System offers a tremendous opportunity to improve
mobility, enhance safety, and reduce congestion through electronics,
communications, and control technologies.
I believe the Congress must move promptly to designate the National
Highway System so that States can begin to plan effectively to dedicate
transportation dollars to these routes.
I also believe that this legislation should not become a new
reauthorization for our Nation's surface transportation programs.
Madam President, If the Congress can keep this legislation focused on
its purpose and address limited and valid technical amendments to
ISTEA, then we have a good chance for success this year.
____________________