A SUMMARY - An Overview
On June 9, 1998, the President signed into law PL 105-178, the
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) authorizing
highway, highway safety, transit and other surface transportation programs
for the next 6 years. Subsequent technical corrections in the TEA 21
Restoration Act have been incorporated; thus, the material presented here
reflects the combined effects of both Acts and the two are jointly
referred to as TEA-21.
TEA-21 builds on the initiatives established in the Intermodal Surface
Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), which was the last major
authorizing legislation for surface transportation. This new Act combines
the continuation and improvement of current programs with new initiatives
to meet the challenges of improving safety as traffic continues to
increase at record levels, protecting and enhancing communities and the
natural environment as we provide transportation, and advancing Americas
economic growth and competitiveness domestically and internationally
through efficient and flexible transportation.
Significant features of TEA-21 include:
- Assurance of a guaranteed level of Federal funds for surface
transportation through FY 2003. The annual floor for highway funding is
keyed to receipts of the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund
(HTF). Transit funding is guaranteed at a selected fixed amount. All
highway user taxes are extended at the same rates when the legislation
was enacted.
- Extension of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) program,
providing a flexible national 10 percent goal for the participation of
disadvantaged business enterprises, including small firms owned and
controlled by women and minorities, in highway and transit contracting
undertaken with Federal funding.
- Strengthening of safety programs across the Department of
Transportation (DOT). New incentive programs, with great potential for
savings to life and property, are aimed at increasing the use of safety
belts and promoting the enactment and enforcement of 0.08 percent blood
alcohol concentration standards for drunk driving. These new incentive
funds also offer added flexibility to States since the grants can be
used for any Title 23 U.S.C. activity.
- Continuation of the proven and effective program structure
established for highways and transit under the landmark ISTEA
legislation. Flexibility in the use of funds, emphasis on measures to
improve the environment, focus on a strong planning process as the
foundation of good transportation decisionsall ISTEA hallmarksare
continued and enhanced by TEA-21. New programs such as Border
Infrastructure, Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation,
and Access to Jobs target special areas of national interest and
concern.
- Investing in research and its application to maximize the
performance of the transportation system. Special emphasis is placed on
deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems to help improve
operations and management of transportation systems and vehicle safety.
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