[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 36 (Wednesday, March 19, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          RURAL ROADS FUNDING

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NANCY L. JOHNSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 19, 1997

  Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, anticipating this year's 
reauthorization of the 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation 
Efficiency Act [ISTEA], I am introducing legislation today that will 
provide rural area roads eligibility for a small percentage of funding 
under the Surface Transportation Program [STP].
  The intent of ISTEA's STP initiative was to provide greater 
flexibility to State and local authorities for transportation needs by 
providing States with block grant-type authority. However, ISTEA 
regulations prohibit roads classified as local or rural minor 
collectors from receiving Federal-aid highway funding. Since most roads 
in rural areas fall under this classification, they are not eligible 
for funding and remain in severe disrepair.
  Under ISTEA's current STP distribution formula, States are required 
to set aside 10 percent of their STP funds for safety programs and 10 
percent for transportation enhancement programs. The remaining 80 
percent of STP funding goes into a general purposes fund, with a 
remaining distribution account receiving 50 percent, and a statewide 
distribution account receiving 30 percent.
  Under the remaining distribution account, funding is provided to 
areas over 200,000 population, while only a minimal level of funding is 
provided to rural areas under 5,000 population based on a fiscal year 
1991 funding level. Unfortunately, congressional attempts to provide 
State flexibility do not ensure adequate and equitable distribution of 
Federal assistance to rural area roads. Moreover, roads functionally 
classified as local or rural minor collectors are not currently 
eligible for the rural areas under 5,000 population funding and, since 
most rural roads fall under these two classifications, they are 
ineligible for Federal assistance.
  My legislation would allow roads functionally classified as local or 
rural minor collectors eligibility for STP funds under the existing 
special account for areas under 5,000 population only. My legislation 
would not amend the road classification system. Rather, it would only 
modify 23 U.S.C. 133(c) to allow roads functionally classified as local 
and rural minor collectors STP funding eligibility under the areas 
under 5,000 population account 23 U.S.C. 133(d)(3)(B).
  In addition, my legislation provides that of the 50 percent to be 
obligated under the remaining distribution account, at least 20 
percent, or the existing minimum requirement, whichever is greater, 
should go to the rural areas under 5,000 population account. Finally, 
my legislation would amend the statewide planning process by requiring 
States to also consider the transportation needs of rural areas, 
including local and rural minor collectors.
  I urge my colleagues to support this necessary legislation as it will 
provide the flexibility ISTEA was intended to produce and will greatly 
improve our roadway system by allowing local and rural communities the 
opportunity to decide which roads should be repaired.

                          ____________________