When the U.S. Dept. of Transportation released its Projects of National and Regional Significance Survey on May 29, 2014, the expectation during its one month period of availability was widespread response across all the 50 states as to what those states’ respective departments of transportation deemed areas of vital importance for the Federal Highway Authority to focus its attention—and its budget—on in the coming fiscal year. According to a recent post at the U.S. DOT’s website, that expectation was not met, in consequence of which stakeholders are being given another shot.
“You see, we conducted a nationwide survey,” writes Gregory Nadeau, acting administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, “but we didn’t hear from enough states. So we’re opening up the survey again to make sure everyone has a chance to participate. After all, we know there are eligible and notable projects throughout the country that ought to be counted.”
The survey officially reopened Oct. 2 and will remain available until Nov. 17. This period is to include all interceding federal holidays.
Nadeau, in closing, is adamant in his hope that the second time will be the charm. “We encourage all state and local organizations, transportation authorities, and other stakeholders that have responsibility for planning or implementing surface transportation projects to complete the survey, working with eligible applicants wherever possible.”
