23 U.S.C. § 167 National Highway Freight Program

• Library: United States Statutes
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current through P.L. 118-34 (published on www.congress.gov on 12/26/2023), except for [P. L. 118-31]
• Year: 2023
• Citation: 23 U.S.C. § 167

(a) IN GENERAL.-

(1) POLICY.-It is the policy of the United States to improve the condition and performance of the National Highway Freight Network established under this section to ensure that the Network provides the foundation for the United States to compete in the global economy and achieve the goals described in subsection (b).

(2) ESTABLISHMENT.-In support of the goals described in subsection (b), the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration shall establish a national highway freight program in accordance with this section to improve the efficient movement of freight on the National Highway Freight Network.

(b) GOALS.-The goals of the national highway freight program are-

(1) to invest in infrastructure improvements and to implement operational improvements on the highways of the United States that-

(A) strengthen the contribution of the National Highway Freight Network to the economic competitiveness of the United States;

(B) reduce congestion and bottlenecks on the National Highway Freight Network;

(C) reduce the cost of freight transportation;

(D) improve the year-round reliability of freight transportation; and

(E) increase productivity, particularly for domestic industries and businesses that create high-value jobs;

(2) to improve the safety, security, efficiency, and resiliency of freight transportation in rural and urban areas;

(3) to improve the state of good repair of the National Highway Freight Network;

(4) to use innovation and advanced technology to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the National Highway Freight Network;

(5) to improve the efficiency and productivity of the National Highway Freight Network;

(6) to improve the flexibility of States to support multi-State corridor planning and the creation of multi-State organizations to increase the ability of States to address highway freight connectivity; and

(7) to reduce the environmental impacts of freight movement on the National Highway Freight Network.

(c) ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL HIGHWAY FREIGHT NETWORK.-

(1) IN GENERAL.-The Administrator shall establish a National Highway Freight Network in accordance with this section to strategically direct Federal resources and policies toward improved performance of the Network.

(2) NETWORK COMPONENTS.-The National Highway Freight Network shall consist of-

(A) the primary highway freight system, as designated under subsection (d);

(B) critical rural freight corridors established under subsection (e);

(C) critical urban freight corridors established under subsection (f); and

(D) the portions of the Interstate System not designated as part of the primary highway freight system.

(d) DESIGNATION AND REDESIGNATION OF THE PRIMARY HIGHWAY FREIGHT SYSTEM.-

(1) INITIAL DESIGNATION OF PRIMARY HIGHWAY FREIGHT SYSTEM.-The initial designation of the primary highway freight system shall be the 41,518-mile network identified during the designation process for the primary freight network under section 167(d) of this title, as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the FAST Act.

(2) REDESIGNATION OF PRIMARY HIGHWAY FREIGHT SYSTEM.-

(A) IN GENERAL.-Beginning 5 years after the date of enactment of the FAST Act, and every 5 years thereafter, using the designation factors described in subparagraph (E), the Administrator shall redesignate the primary highway freight system.

(B) REDESIGNATION MILEAGE.-Each redesignation may increase the mileage on the primary highway freight system by not more than 3 percent of the total mileage of the system.

(C) USE OF MEASURABLE DATA.-In redesignating the primary highway freight system, to the maximum extent practicable, the Administrator shall use measurable data to assess the significance of goods movement, including consideration of points of origin, destinations, and linking components of the United States global and domestic supply chains.

(D) INPUT.-In redesignating the primary highway freight system, the Administrator shall provide an opportunity for State freight advisory committees, as applicable, to submit additional miles for consideration.