[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 113 (Monday, September 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 3, SAFE, ACCOUNTABLE, FLEXIBLE, EFFICIENT 
             TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT: A LEGACY FOR USERS

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                               speech of

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 29, 2005

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, as the Chairman of the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure, I had the great honor to serve as 
the Chairman of the conference committee for H.R. 3, SAFETEA-LU.
  The conference committee had to reach agreement on a broad range of 
issues to be able to send a bill to the President that he could sign. I 
want to take this opportunity to clarify what I believe was the intent 
of the conferees concerning the language that became section 5508, the 
Transportation Technology Innovation and Demonstration Program. This 
provision extended a program that began under TEA-21. TEA-21 promised 
that the initial system contemplated by the program would be built out 
in greater than 40 areas. I have been a long-standing supporter of this 
public/private partnership that helps travelers avoid highway traffic 
congestion. It is currently providing up-to-date and accurate traveler 
information in areas across the country.
  I believe it was the conferees intent that all of the existing $54 
million that has been provided for the current contracting team would 
be used to carry out the existing contract to deploy the current 
highway congestion information system under Part I. I believe it was 
our intention that Part I funds would stay in Part I. In this way, if 
deployment areas do not take advantage of all of the obligated funds, 
congested cities will have the opportunity to benefit from the $54 
million that is currently obligated under Part I and will be able to 
proceed under the existing contract with the existing contractor. TEA-
21 promised that the initial system would be built out in greater than 
40 areas and staying the course with the existing contractor is an 
important element of keeping that promise. Any funds appropriated for 
Part II would be recycled within Part II.
  Because there is a 180-day clock running for areas to consent to 
participate in the program, I respectfully urge that USDOT quickly get 
implementing guidance to the field that is consistent with this intent.




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