The U.S. Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, announced the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) had signed an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to build infrastructure projects faster.
The agreement would cut red tape by putting the ownership of environmental permitting requirements in Texas control. The Federal State partnership should serve as a model for other states interested in similarly accelerating the construction process for bridge and highway projects, the U.S. DOT said.
“The Biden Administration added burdensome NEPA requirements like environmental justice initiatives that delayed progress on vital road and bridge projects. No wonder nothing got done!” Duffy said. “This agreement is just another example of how our department is committed to America building again. If enacted, Texas’ new agreement will allow the state to tackle critical infrastructure bigger, better and faster.”
Duffy said the agreement puts environmental review in Texas’ hands. Once finalized, the agreement is expected to bolster the state’s efforts to improve transportation infrastructure in the state by shortening project development and advancing projects to construction. Duffy cited projects like the Downtown Interstate 10 in El Paso, the South Padre Island 2nd Bridge, and the State Highway 36A in Houston, among others.
“Texas taking responsibility for the Federal environmental approval process has served to expedite transportation projects and reduce costs,” TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said. “This new agreement is a significant step forward by the Trump Administration to solidify a strong federal-state partnership and empower Texas to efficiently move projects forward.”