[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.

                          ____________________