U.S. Department of Transportation

PROGRESS REPORT:  DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Summary

In the first 100 days of the Obama administration the Department of Transportation (DOT)  emphasized economic recovery.  Of the $48.1 billion in economic recovery funding provided to DOT, over $9.3 billion has been obligated by states, transit systems and airports for specific projects.  Over 2,500 projects have been selected for funding so far.

Data collected by DOT shows DOT actions created a rapid increase in the pace at which transportation projects are undertaken. In the first  6 weeks since the economic Recovery Act became law, 4,300 highway and bridge projects – (including “regular” projects, not funded by the Recovery act)-- were advanced for construction using federal funds.  In 2008, only 2,600 projects were similarly advanced during an average 6-week period.

In the first 100 days the Department unveiled a Strategic Plan to transform the future of high speed rail in America.  This plan will guide investment decisions for $8 billion in high speed rail funding provided by the economic recovery act and additional funding in coming years proposed in the President’s FY2010 budget request.

DOT initiated a new partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help coordinate transportation and housing investments.  Known as “Livable Communities” the initiative will integrate land use and transportation planning. In addition, the Department issued tougher fuel economy standards for model year 2011 vehicles and has been involved in high profile efforts at the multi-agency level regarding the future of the U.S. automakers and the scope and content of policies on energy security and climate change.

Recovery Act

  • Nearly $38 billion of the $48.1 billion in transportation Recovery Acts funds have been made available to states, transit districts and airports to use for eligible projects.
  • The Federal Highway Administration has approved over $8 billion in obligations.
  • Construction began on the first project, resurfacing Maryland Route 650 in Silver Spring, on March 3rd, creating 22 jobs. The 2,000th project approved is rebuilding a $68 million interchange on I-94 in Portage, Michigan. Construction will start in June, creating 900 jobs this summer. Overall, the Administration estimates that the highway portion ($27.5 billion) of the Recovery Act alone will eventually create or sustain 150,000 jobs.
  • Nearly all of the $1.1 billion in Airport grants-in-aid have been approved for over 250 airport infrastructure projects across the country. The Federal Transit Administration has released $7.5 billion in formula funds to states and local transit districts, has already awarded five grants for rural areas, and will obligate most of the discretionary money to specific projects before day 200.  Amtrak has received $1.3 billion in capital grants that will speed service by replacing obsolete bridges, as in Niantic, Connecticut, modernize electrical power in Chester, Pennsylvania, rehabilitate train stations and improve safety across the country.
  • In the next 100 days the Department will provide guidance and solicit bids for High Speed Rail ($8 billion) and surface transportation discretionary grants ($1.5 billion) for transportation projects of national, regional or metropolitan significance. The Department will also approve grants to small shipyards from a $100 million fund provided for that purpose.

Reform

  • To promote efficiency, Secretary LaHood established a “Tiger Team” of senior DOT officials to plan to implement the Recovery Act even before the bill had passed. In the words of President Obama, the Tiger team has been bringing in projects “on time and under budget.” Across the country, contractor’s bids are coming in at 15%-20% below the estimated costs. Colorado reports bids as much as 30% below estimates, and California indicates that some contractors are offering work at half the projected cost. These cost savings mean that more projects can be funded. 
  • To promote accountability, transparency and responsiveness, the Department has established a 24-hour hot-line to answer inquiries about the Recovery Act, with each inquiry answered within 24 hours. The Department is overhauling its data collection and reporting systems. Within the next 100 days the public will be able to track the status of individual transportation projects on the Department’s Recovery website.
  • DOT is holding states to higher standards of scrutiny for transportation projects funded by the Recovery Act. For example, after discussions with DOT officials, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority stopped cities within Los Angeles County from “selling” their highway funds to other communities for general fund relief.
  • Secretary LaHood has directed the Tiger Team to incorporate lessons learned from the Recovery Act into guidance to improve efficiency, accountability and transparency in DOT’s day-to-day operations. 

Policy/Regulatory Initiatives

REGULATIONS

  • Implemented new interim one-year Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards for model year 2011. The President directed the Department to work with EPA, Carol Browner, Director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change and other federal agencies to coordinate multi-year CAFE standards by April, 2010, with other administration environmental initiatives and goals.
  • Pulled back controversial proposed transit “new start” rules and will address this issue with an administration proposal during the transportation reauthorization process.
  • Requested public comment on the rescission of a rule that affected approvals of individual bus route applications.
  • In line with the President’s emphasis on public access to information brought new transparency to aviation safety regulation by making available to the public a previously secret FAA data base on birdstrikes that occur near airports around the country.

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

NOTE:  The FY 2010 President’s Budget includes a “placeholder” for outstanding decisions on the Administration’s future surface transportation policy.   As a result, many surface transportation programs, constituting most of the department’s budget, are not addressed in this list of accomplishments.

  • High Speed Rail

    FY 2010 includes $1 billion for High Speed Rail to augment the $8 billion in investments provided in the American Economic Recovery Act.  This represents a new program focus for rail as no funds were requested for this purpose during the previous Administration.
  • “Next Gen”

    The Department has undertaken a comprehensive effort to plan for the “Next Generation” future aviation needs.  The FY 2010 budget provides approximately $800 million to develop and deploy a new system for air traffic control that uses a combination of new technologies and operational improvements to address future air traffic, national security and emergency response requirements in the national airspace.
  • Essential Air Service

    The Essential Air Service program provides air travel assistance for rural areas. Keeping small communities connected to the transportation system is important to their continued economic viability.   The Budget provides a $55 million increase over the 2009 level to the DOT to fulfill current program requirements as demand for subsidized commercial air service increases.

Interagency Efforts

DOT/HUD Livable Communities Partnership

The Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development initiated a partnership to enhance integration of metropolitan housing, transportation, and land use planning and investment.  The Departments will build on efforts under existing authorities to integrate transportation and housing planning and to encourage affordable housing near transit.  DOT’s Federal Transit Administration has begun implementing the action plan in the 2008 FTA-HUD report to Congress “Better Coordination of Transportation and Housing Programs to Promote Affordable Housing Near Transit.” 
 
Coordination of DOT and EPA Efforts on Vehicle Standards

The US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration worked with the Environmental Protection Agency to provide the Auto Task Force technical expertise and advice on fuel economy technologies and regulations.   DOT issued a new fuel economy standard for model year 2011 and is coordinating with EPA and DOE to develop standards for 2012-2016.  DOT is participating in the interagency efforts coordinated by the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change (OECC), to (1) develop a comprehensive, workable domestic climate change program that would implement the President’s greenhouse gas reduction targets and (2) prepare the Administration’s collective response to and comments on energy and climate change legislation that has been proposed by Congress.

The Vice President’s Middle Class Task Force

The Middle Class Task Force is working to identify public policies that will help middle class families by improving their living standards.  Secretary LaHood has participated in two public meetings of the Middle Class Task Force.  The February meeting in Philadelphia, PA featured green jobs, and the March meeting in St. Cloud, MN featured how the Recovery Act will benefit the middle class by creating jobs.  The St. Cloud meeting was hosted by the New Flyer of America Bus Company, which is employing Americans to build low-emission, alternative fueled buses.  Federal transit funds under the ARRA will help communities purchase these clean, efficient buses.  Other green jobs that are being funded under the ARRA include capital projects of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), construction of bicycle and pedestrian trails and other transportation enhancements, planning for high speed rail projects, and construction of transit rail cars and equipment.   Secretary LaHood  noted at Task Force meetings that he is committed to moving toward the long term goal of more livable communities.  DOT’s work with HUD to better coordinate transit oriented and mixed use development, affordable housing and access to jobs will contribute to the work of this task force.  

CEQ NEPA

The Department of Transportation worked with CEQ in developing the reporting requirements of Section 1609 ( c) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act for projects funded by the Act.  DOT also prepared a report to the Council on Environmental Quality that responds to the requirements.  DOT’s reports provide detailed information on the status and type of environmental documents prepared for projects and activities under highway, transit, airport and rail ARRA programs that DOT has funded to date. Periodic updates will be required, and future reports will address all DOT-administered ARRA programs.

Miscellaneous

The Secretary has taken the Administration’s message of economic relief and  return of more good-paying jobs on the road, traveling to Miami, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, St. Cloud, MN, Portsmouth, NH and Montpelier, VT.

The Secretary is planning a public service announcement campaign in the form of a radio spot to remind drivers to be careful when driving past road construction workers – especially because there will be so much more construction taking place this spring, summer and fall thanks to the Recovery Act effort. The Department is exploring the development of a new anti-drunk driving campaign, in cooperation with Major League Baseball.

Other events and press activity include:

  • President Obama Announces 2,000th Transportation Project.

    On Monday, April 13, President Obama, joined by Vice President Biden and Secretary LaHood, announced funding for the 2,000th transportation infrastructure project under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  Construction workers employed by Recovery Act projects attended the event at DOT headquarters.
  • President Obama to Unveil High Speed Rail Strategic Plan.

    On Thursday, April 16, President Obama, joined by Vice President Biden and Secretary LaHood, unveiled the Administration’s high-speed rail strategic plan.