§70204 Multi-state Freight Corridor Planning

Summary

Allows States, cities, regional groups, federally recognized Indian Tribes, and local public authorities that share an important multi‑State freight route to join together in a compact to make moving goods better. They can spot projects that help more than one State, gather land needed for those projects, and make big construction improvements. The compact can take money or help from State or local governments, use federal or State freight funds and grants, borrow short‑term and issue notes or bonds, and use other financing allowed by law. The compact may set up a multi‑State freight corridor advisory committee made up of transportation agencies and public and private freight interests (for example, ports, railroads, shippers, carriers, logistics providers, workers, environmental and community groups, and local governments) to advise, coordinate, and share information. The Secretary of Transportation must run a grant program for compacts working on routes in the National Multimodal Freight Network. New compacts or States forming one can get up to $2,000,000 for operations during the first 2 years, if they apply, provide at least a 25% non‑Federal match, and agree to create the advisory committee. Other compacts may get up to $1,000,000 if they apply, provide a 50% match, and already have the advisory committee. Congress authorized $5,000,000 per fiscal year for these grants.