§70204 Multi-State freight corridor planning

Summary

Allows states, cities, regional planning groups, federally recognized Indian Tribes, and local public authorities that share a major multi-State freight route to form multi-State compacts to make moving goods easier. Those compacts can pick projects that help more than one State, assemble needed land or rights-of-way, and do big construction or capital improvements. They may take money from State or local governments, use Federal or State freight funds and grants, borrow short-term and issue notes or bonds, and get other financing allowed by law. The compacts can set up an advisory committee with State transportation departments and a range of public and private freight interests (for example, ports, railroads, shippers, carriers, freight associations, logistics providers, workers, environmental and community groups, and local governments). The committee will advise on priorities, serve as a place to discuss multi-State freight issues, coordinate with other groups, share public–private information, and help with State freight plans. The Secretary of Transportation must run a grant program for compacts or States forming compacts on routes in the National Multimodal Freight Network. New compacts or States forming one may get up to $2,000,000 for operations during the initial 2-year period if they apply, provide at least a 25% non‑Federal match, and create the advisory committee. Other compacts may get up to $1,000,000 if they apply, provide a 50% non‑Federal match, and have an advisory committee. Congress authorized $5,000,000 per fiscal year for this program.