Section Marked for Safety: Reauthorization of TEA-21 Contains Work-Zone Funding Package

At ATSSA the biggest effort has been to get Congress to focus on safety as a key element of reauthorization of TEA-21. In January, Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) and others introduced H.R. 288, the “Roadway Safety and Congestion Mitigation Improvements Act.” Since then, both Democrats and Republicans have signed on in support of this act. Some of the highlights of H.R. 288 include older driver roadway safety enhancements; sign and pavement marking management system programs; retroreflectivity upgrades; run-off-road mitigation; speed management; pedestrian and bicycle safety; intersection safety; emergency management; highway-rail crossings; workzone safety and mobility enhancement; and equipping and training of roadway workers. There is a “virtual coalition” going on right now to help support roadway safety. Over 10,000 people across the country have already been part of it.