Motorist Frustration Reduction Act of 1991

Motorist Frustration Reduction Act of 1991 - Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation from approving Federal-aid highway projects in a State unless the State has provided assurances that: (1) such projects have as their primary purpose enhancing traffic flow and minimizing traffic congestion during construction; (2) to the extent practicable, construction of such projects will be carried out during off-peak periods and will limit closure of highway lanes to portions of highways for which actual construction is in progress and for which safety concerns require closure; and (3) the State will establish and operate a toll-free telephone number system to receive complaints and provide information regarding the status of construction on Federal-aid highways in the State and the progress of programs to reduce congestion caused by such construction and will post such telephone number at each Federal-aid highway construction site in the State.

Authorizes the Secretary to approve as a project the establishment and operation of such a toll-free telephone number system.

Sets forth reporting requirements.

 
HR 2975 IH
102d CONGRESS
1st Session
 H. R. 2975
To amend title 23, United States Code, to reduce traffic congestion resulting
from construction of Federal-aid highway projects, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 23, 1991
Mr. HOCHBRUECKNER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Public Works and Transportation
A BILL
To amend title 23, United States Code, to reduce traffic congestion resulting
from construction of Federal-aid highway projects, and for other purposes.
  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
  States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  This Act may be cited as the `Motorist Frustration Reduction Act of 1991'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
  Congress finds that--
  (1) United States highways are aging and will continue to require substantial
  repairs;
  (2) motorists often experience frustration, stress, and anger when lanes
  are closed and traffic is congested as a result of highway construction
  and maintenance; and
  (3) traffic congestion caused by highway construction and maintenance
  increases air pollution and wastes motor vehicle fuels.
SEC. 3. TRAFFIC CONGESTION REDUCTION.
  (a) IN GENERAL- Chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by
  adding at the end the following new section:
`Sec. 159. Traffic congestion reduction
  `(a) CONDITIONS TO PROJECT APPROVAL- For a fiscal year beginning after
  September 30, 1991, the Secretary may not approve any project in a State
  under section 106 of this title in a fiscal year unless the State has
  provided to the Secretary the following assurances:
  `(1) Federal-aid highway projects in the State have as their primary purpose
  enhancing traffic flow and minimizing traffic congestion during construction.
  `(2) To the extent practicable, actual construction of Federal-aid highway
  projects in the State will be carried out during off-peak periods and will
  limit closure of highway lanes to portions of highways for which actual
  construction is in progress and for which safety concerns require closure.
  `(3) The State will (A) establish and operate a toll-free telephone number
  system to receive complaints and provide information regarding the status
  of construction on Federal-aid highways in the State and the progress of
  programs to reduce congestion caused by such construction, and (B) post such
  telephone number at each Federal-aid highway construction site in the State.
  `(b) TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER SYSTEM- The Secretary may approve as a
  project on any Federal-aid system the establishment and operation of a
  toll-free telephone number system described in subsection (a)(3).
  `(c) REPORT- Not later than September 30, 1992, and annually thereafter,
  the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report on the results of
  activities under State assurances made pursuant to this section.'.
  (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- The analysis for chapter 1 of such title is amended
  by striking the item relating to section 159 and inserting the following:
`159. Traffic congestion reduction.'.