With new guidance info, U.S. DOT continues to move forward with FAST Act implementation

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) continues to move forward with the implementation of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. The FAST Act reauthorized federal surface transportation programs that support county-owned infrastructure such as the Surface Transportation Program.

Since its passage last December, DOT has issued a number of guidance documents, fact sheets and presentations to ensure the public and transportation stakeholders have key information on FAST Act provisions.

Recently published guidance documents include a question and answer document on the sub-allocation of apportioned funds — a key funding mechanism for local decision-making, and guidance on the implementation of the re-branded Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, previously known as the Surface Transportation Program.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) elaborates on several other implementation issues through its FAST Act Web portal at www.fhwa.dot.gov/fastact. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has a separate FAST Act site that specifically addresses the new law’s impact on transit programs at www.transit.dot.gov/FAST.

 In addition to guidance documents, DOT has published notices for apportionment funding and other discretionary funding opportunities for FY16, including the Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects program known as FASTLANE grants.  Funding opportunities are listed on both FHWA and FTA sites.

NACo continues to monitor the FAST Act’s implementation process on behalf of counties and provide feedback and input to DOT and Congress. For further information on the FAST Act and its impact on county-owned infrastructure, contact Jessica Monahan, associate legislative director, jmonahan@naco.org.