Highway program future commission continues to meet

The National Surface Transportation Policy and Study Commission, established in the SAFETEA-LU legislation to make recommendations for the future of the federal-aid highway and other federal transportation programs, held a town-hall meeting during the AASHTO regional Mississippi Valley Conference last week to receive input from the state DOTs and others in attendance.

Input was received on the top transportation system needs, the federal role in transportation, funding and other overall policy issues. Commissioner Jack Schenendorf and Commissioner Frank Busalacchi, Wisconsin DOT secretary, conducted the meeting.

The commission is charged with making a report to Congress by July 2007. It has scheduled regular monthly meetings and will conduct four field hearings during that time. When these hearings are scheduled, AGC chapters will be informed and asked to participate.

A technical advisory committee will also be appointed to assist the commission in its study.