Thank you to U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) for introducing the Streamline Transit Projects Act. This bipartisan legislation, cosponsored by Senator John Curtis (R-UT), Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA), is an important step toward improving the efficiency and responsiveness of transit development in fast-growing states like Utah. In the face of continued, rapid population growth, it has never been more urgent to reduce development timelines by allowing transit agencies like UTA to take responsibility for the environmental impact of transit projects. The Streamline Transit Projects Act will enable UTA to be more nimble in responding to growing transit needs and better serve Utahns who rely on UTA for daily transportation. Thank you to Sens. Lee, Curtis, Kelly, and Warnock for advancing a solution-oriented approach that strengthens mobility, supports economic growth, and enhances the ability of transit agencies to deliver critical projects for the communities we serve.
Today, U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced bipartisan legislation to improve transit project timelines and quality by restoring the responsibility for environmental reviews back to state agencies from the federal government. The Streamline Transit Projects Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT), Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and endorsed by Utah Transit Authority, Wasatch Front Regional Council, and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). "APTA strongly supports the bipartisan Streamline Transit Projects Act, and commends Senators Lee, Warnock, Curtis, and Kelly for their leadership in advancing a smart, commonsense solution that will strengthen mobility nationwide. This legislation brings long-overdue modal parity by providing public transit agencies with the same authority long afforded to our highway partners. Empowering transit agencies to approve their own categorical exclusions will cut red tape, speed project delivery, and help communities realize the benefits of better public transportation sooner. Public transit agencies have the skilled environmental professionals needed to do this work and it is long-past time to give them this opportunity." – Paul Skoutelas, President and CEO, APTA. https://lnkd.in/eHYc_Rs6