WASHINGTON — Utah Sen. Mike Lee is spearheading a bipartisan effort to loosen federal control over local transit decisions in an effort to expedite construction projects and reduce traffic in key areas.
Lee introduced the Streamline Transit Project Acts on Monday that would hand state agencies authority over environmental reviews that currently is handled by the federal government. In doing so, Lee argues, state officials can make decisions on projects they are more familiar with without being delayed by federal processes.
“Utah’s transit projects will be better off without the federal government meddling in every decision and holding up construction,” Lee said in a statement. “Right now, our local officials take responsibility for environmental reviews on highway construction — but are forced to use the federal government when it comes to transit. My Streamline Transit Projects Act will give this authority back to the states to make construction timelines faster and quality better. Don’t tread on our TRAX!”
The legislation would expand on exceptions that state transit agencies already have to take over certain highway projects that qualify as “categorical exclusions,” meaning they do not fall under federal requirements to provide environmental assessments or impact statements before beginning construction.
Lee’s bill would extend that authority to all transit projects by signing an agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation that expedites the process. Those exceptions could be revoked at any time if the state transit agency fails to follow the rules.
The proposal has already garnered support from fellow Utah Sen. John Curtis as well as senators on the other side of the aisle, including Sens. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., who have signed on as co-sponsors.
“Right now, simple transit projects can get tied up in years of red tape. Arizonans shouldn’t have to wait that long for basic upgrades,” Kelly said in a statement. “Our bill cuts needless delays for low-impact projects by letting qualified local agencies handle routine environmental work, so commuters see the benefits sooner.”
The bill has also received support from several transportation agencies, including the Utah Transit Authority that is responsible for providing public transit to Utahns across the Wasatch Front.
UTA endorsed the proposal in a letter to Lee, which was obtained by the Deseret News, following months of concerns that the federal review process was slowing down Utah’s transit projects.
“In the face of continued, rapid population growth, it has never been more urgent for UTA to shorten timelines from project development to execution,” the letter says. “Reducing development timelines by allowing transit agencies like UTA to take responsibility for the environmental impact of transit projects will enable UTA to become nimbler in responding to transit needs and better serve Utahns who rely daily on UTA for their transportation needs.”
Other groups have endorsed Lee’s bill, including the Wasatch Front Regional Council and American Public Transportation Association.