Highway Demonstration Projects: Improved Selection and Funding Controls Are Needed
RCED-91-146
Published: May 28, 1991. Publicly Released: Jun 27, 1991.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO evaluated 66 Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation and Assistance Act of 1987 (STURRA) demonstration projects in 8 states, focusing on: (1) their relationship to state and regional transportation plans; (2) progress and problems encountered in implementing such projects; (3) their estimated costs and impact on other highway project funding; and (4) options for consideration if Congress includes demonstration projects in the 1991 federal-aid highway program reauthorization.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| In the future, if Congress funds highway demonstration projects, it may wish to consider adopting certain requirements, or a combination of requirements, to improve and control selection, such as: (1) limiting project selection to projects already incorporated into transportation plans; (2) restricting demonstration project selection to projects on a federal-aid highway system; (3) eliminating the authorization of specific funds for demonstration projects but permitting specific projects to be funded from federal-aid highway programs; (4) imposing an overall funding cap for such projects; (5) allocating demonstration funds in line with a state's share of total federal-aid highway funds in line with a state's share of total federal-aid highway funds, and (6) reducing the federal share for demonstration projects. | When Congress reauthorized surface transportation programs, it provided for highway demonstration projects, but did not adopt any requirements to improve and control selection of such projects. | |
| Congress should provide for the cancellation or redirection of federal funds for any existing or future demonstration projects that remain inactive 4 years after their authorization. | When surface transportation programs were reauthorized in 1991, Congress did not cancel or redirect federal funds for demonstration projects that have remained inactive 4 years after their authorization. |
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Construction costsCost analysisFederal aid for highwaysstate relationsFuture budget projectionsHighway planningRoad constructionUnobligated budget balancesTransportationPublic roads or highways