USDOT proposes rule to help expand transportation project delivery program to more states

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is proposing a rule that would provide states an opportunity to manage the federally required environmental review process for rail, transit and highway projects.

On Friday, the USDOT released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that calls for expanding the Surface Transportation Project Delivery (STPD) program for interested states, a key provision of Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, or MAP-21.

Since the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, or SAFETEA-LU, was enacted in 2006, the STPD program has been available only as a pilot in five states, USDOT officials said in a NRPM notice.

The USDOT is accepting public comments on the NPRM until Oct. 29.