- FHWA Issues Final Approval Of MTA Congestion Pricing Program Blocked By New York's Governor
- Oklahoma And Arkansas Advance Study Of US 412 Conversion To I-42
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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FHWA Issues Final Approval Of MTA Congestion Pricing Program Blocked By New York's Governor
amNY reports, on Friday, June 14, FHWA submitted a reevaluation of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s congestion pricing program in which it determined that no additional environmental analysis is warranted. “The conclusions in the Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact remains valid,” according to the cover letter transmitting the federal report. The reevaluation was necessary under federal law to determine whether MTA’s adopted toll rate structure is consistent with the FHWA’s initial sign-off on the program. The federal finding would have removed the final administrative obstacle to the program’s realization if not for the fact that New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) recently put congestion pricing on indefinite suspension. The reevaluation “seemed to indicate that congestion pricing would provide significant economic benefits, including ‘travel-time savings and travel-time reliability improvements, as well as reduced vehicle operating costs.’” An authority spokesperson said MTA management is pleased but not surprised by FHWA’s conclusions, which it continued to pursue even after the governor’s decision. MTA reportedly hopes the final federal approval “will give Hochul second thoughts” about postponement. A spokesperson for the governor stated that the FHWA determination will “keep all options available as discussions continue regarding next steps.”
Congestion Pricing Environmental Protection Policies Procedures And Initiatives Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York New York City US Department of Transportation (USDOT)Oklahoma And Arkansas Advance Study Of US 412 Conversion To I-42
Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports, two recent public meetings provided some new insights into the bistate US 412 Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study. The Oklahoma and Arkansas DOTs, together with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and FHWA, are collaborating on a proposed upgrade of a 190-mile-long US 412 corridor to interstate status as I-42. At events held on June 11 and 12, officials from both states presented the findings of an Alternatives Analysis that has determined, among other things, the project route will bypass the Arkansas city of Siloam Springs. Last week’s events were the final public meetings on the PEL study, which is focused on complying with federal legislation that endorsed the conversion of the congested highway to improve safety, mobility, interstate commerce and regional economic development.
Oklahoma recently made a PEL study website accessible (registration required).
Arkansas Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT) Environmental Protection Policies Procedures And Initiatives Oklahoma Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) US Department of Transportation (USDOT)These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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