Strategic Goal: Improve the Nation’s national defense mobility.

Strategic Objective: Improve the capacity and operations of the Strategic Highway Network (STRAHNET) and STRAHNET connectors to support defense mobilization.

The FHWA, in partnership with State transportation agencies, administers the Federal-aid Highway Program that funds roads and bridges located on the Strategic Highway Network (STRAHNET) and STRAHNET connectors. The U.S. highway system plays a critical role in the movement of military equipment and personnel during peacetime and particularly in wartime. In light of the fact that the Department of Defense (DOD) is no longer forward deployed, huge amounts of military equipment and personnel must be deployed expeditiously from various Continental United States (CONUS) -based military installations to various seaports and airports of embarkation in the event of a military emergency somewhere in the world. A majority of this equipment would be convoyed over U. S. highways. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is committed to improving the Nation’s national defense mobility by promoting the improvements of the condition, capacity, and operation of the highway system serving military installations.

STRAHNET is a system of public highways that is a key deterrent in U.S. strategic policy. It provides defense access, continuity, and emergency capabilities for movements of personnel and equipment in both peace and war. It is about 61,000 miles, including the 45,400-mile system of Interstate and Defense Highways and 15,600 miles of other important public highways. STRAHNET connectors (about 1,700 miles) are additional highway routes linking over 200 important military installations and ports to the STRAHNET. These routes are typically used when moving personnel and equipment during a mobilization or deployment. Generally, these routes end at the port boundary or installation gate.

Performance Goal: In FY 2001, improve access between key military installations (including power projection and power support platforms) and the air or seaport point of embarkation to support DOD deployment requirements.

An increase in the number of miles of STRAHNET and STRAHNET connectors in good condition indicate that State DOTs are investing resources in this important highway network. A decrease indicates that more funding is needed to provide a safer, more efficient roadway for defense mobility.

Safe and unrestricted operation of bridges on the STRAHNET and STRAHNET connectors are an indication of our ability to support defense mobility. The number of deficient bridges is a means of measuring the capability of the system.

Performance Measure/Target Percentage of miles on STRAHNET with IRI <= 170 in/mi	Performance Measure/Target Percentage of deficient bridges on STRAHNET

Strategies: The most important STRAHNET and STRAHNET connectors routes are those used to support the Army’s and Marine Corps’ movement requirements between the Power Projection Platforms and seaports of embarkation. The FHWA also manages the national data on condition of roads and bridges including the STRAHNET and STRAHNET connectors. This information is provided to the DOD Military Traffic Management Command Transportation Engineering Agency to support their national defense strategies. A second key strategy is to focus on operational aspects of DOD’s deployment requirements. In 2001, the FHWA will organize and conduct emergency preparedness meetings in each State with military and State officials. Specific guidance and measurable deployment requirements will be identified. Subsequent FHWA Performance Plans will then focus on measures that are critical to our DOD customer’s deployment requirements. Together, FHWA’s strategies will support national security by ensuring both infrastructure and operations satisfy our warfighters’ needs.