Sec. 1207. Bridge investment

1,051 words·~5 min read·/bill/116/hr/2/ih/section-1207

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Section 144 of title 23, United States Code, is amended— in the section heading by striking and inserting National bridge and tunnel inventory and inspection standards ; Bridges and tunnels in subsection (a)(1)(B) by striking deficient ; in subsection (b)(5) by striking structurally deficient bridge and inserting bridge classified as in poor condition ; in subsection (d)— in paragraph

(2)by striking Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the MAP–21, each and inserting Each ; and by striking paragraph (4); in subsection (j)— in paragraph

(2)by inserting , 124, after section 119 ; in paragraph (3)(A) by inserting , 124, after section 119 ; and in paragraph

(5)by striking financial characteristics and all that follows through the end and inserting Federal share. ; and by adding at the end the following: The goals of this subsection shall be to— support the achievement of a state of good repair for the Nation’s bridges; improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and freight over bridges; and improve the condition of bridges in the United States by reducing— the number of bridges— in poor condition; or in fair condition and at risk of falling into poor condition; the total person miles traveled over bridges— in poor condition; or in fair condition and at risk of falling into poor condition; the number of bridges that— do not meet current geometric design standards; or cannot meet the load and traffic requirements typical of the regional transportation network; and the total person miles traveled over bridges that— do not meet current geometric design standards; or cannot meet the load and traffic requirements typical of the regional transportation network. Excluding the amounts described in subparagraph (C), of the total funds apportioned to a State under paragraphs

(1)and

(2)of section 104(b) for fiscal years 2022 to 2025, a State shall obligate not less than 20 percent for projects described in subparagraph (E). A State required to obligate funds under subparagraph

(A)may use any combination of funds apportioned to a State under paragraphs

(1)and

(2)of section 104(b). Amounts described below may not be used for the purposes of calculating or meeting the minimum bridge investment requirement under subparagraph (A)— amounts described in section 133(d)(1)(A); amounts set aside under section 133(h); and amounts described in section 505(a). Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the expenditure of funds described in subparagraph

(C)for bridge projects eligible under such section. Funds required to be obligated in accordance with paragraph (2)(A) may be obligated for projects or activities that— are otherwise eligible under either section 119 or section 133, as applicable; support the achievement of performance targets of the State established under section 150 or provide support for the condition and performance of bridges on public roads within the State; and replace, reconstruct, rehabilitate, preserve, or protect a bridge included on the national bridge inventory authorized by subsection (b), including through— seismic retrofits; systematic preventive maintenance; installation of scour countermeasures; the use of innovative materials that extend the service life of the bridge and reduce preservation costs, as compared to conventionally designed and constructed bridges; the use of nontraditional production techniques, including factory prefabrication; painting for purposes of bridge protection; application of calcium magnesium acetate, sodium acetate/formate, or other environmentally acceptable, minimally corrosive anti-icing and deicing compositions; corrosion control; construction of protective features (including natural infrastructure) alone or in combination with other activities eligible under this paragraph to enhance resilience of a bridge; bridge security countermeasures; impact protection measures for bridges; inspection and evaluation of bridges; and training for bridge inspectors consistent with subsection (i). A State may use a bundle of projects as described in subsection

(j)to satisfy the requirements of subparagraph (A), if each project in the bundle is otherwise eligible under subparagraph (E). The Secretary may, at the request of a State, reduce the required obligation under subparagraph

(A)if— the reduction is consistent with a State’s asset management plan for the National Highway System; the reduction will not limit a State’s ability to meet its performance targets under section 150 or to improve the condition and performance of bridges on public roads within the State; and the State demonstrates that it has inadequate needs to justify the expenditure. The Secretary shall annually publish on the website of the Department of Transportation a bridge investment report that includes— the total Federal funding obligated for bridge projects in the most recent fiscal year, on a State-by-State basis and broken out by Federal program; the total Federal funding obligated, on a State-by-State basis and broken out by Federal program, for bridge projects carried out pursuant to the minimum bridge investment requirements under subparagraph (A); the progress made by each State toward meeting the minimum bridge investment requirement under subparagraph

(A)for such State, both cumulatively and for the most recent fiscal year; a summary of— each request made under subparagraph

(G)by a State for a reduction in the minimum bridge investment requirement under subparagraph (A); and for each request described in subclause

(I)that is granted by the Secretary— the percentage and dollar amount of the reduction; and an explanation of how the State met each of the criteria described in subparagraph (G); and a summary of— each request made by a State for a reduction in the obligation requirements under section 133(f); and for each request that is granted by the Secretary— the percentage and dollar amount of the reduction; and an explanation of how the Secretary made the determination under section 133(f)(2)(B). A State may apply amounts obligated under this subsection or section 133(f)(2)(A) to the obligation requirements of both this subsection and section 133(f). A State may apply amounts obligated under this subsection or section 119(f)(2) to the obligation requirements of both this subsection and section 119(f)(2). If a State fails to satisfy the requirements of subparagraph

(A)by the end of fiscal year 2025, the Secretary may subject the State to appropriate program sanctions under section 1.36 of title 23, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). . The analysis for chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to section 144 and inserting the following: 144. Bridges and tunnels. .