Transpo Secy proposes streamlining transit projects

Responsive to local needs

Matt Dietrichson, Jan 27, 12.

US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today proposed a significant change in the way major transit projects compete for federal funds by streamlining the process and making decisions more responsive to local needs, according to the Federal Transit Administration:

During his State of the Union Address on Tuesday night, President Obama called on federal agencies to cut red tape in construction projects. Accepting that challenge, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today proposed a significant change in the way major transit projects compete for federal funds by streamlining the process and making decisions more responsive to local needs.

“This proposal would move more job-generating bus, rail and ferry projects from the drawing boards into construction sooner and with less red tape along the way,” said Secretary LaHood. “President Obama has asked government agencies to cut red tape, eliminate waste, and streamline bureaucracy wherever possible, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”

The proposed changes could potentially shave six months or more off the time that is now required to move major projects through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) New Starts pipeline. This new approach may also result in financial savings for the federal government and local taxpayers by allowing approved projects to begin construction sooner, thereby saving on finance charges and other costs.

The streamlined proposal would allow the FTA to focus more on local needs, such as economic development, revitalization and responding to historically underserved populations while reducing or eliminating certain time-consuming technical requirements that are duplicative or unnecessary.

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