Senators Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Mike Lee (R-UT), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and John Curtis (R-UT) have introduced the bipartisan Streamline Transit Projects Act to expedite the completion of transit projects and enhance the transit ridership experience.
The legislation aims to assist states in addressing construction challenges commonly associated with traffic congestion and air quality by providing greater flexibility to state agencies, enabling them to shorten project implementation timelines.
The bill’s main sponsor, Sen. Lee, discussed how this bill applies to Utah and the issues that it currently faces. He noted that local officials are responsible for the environmental reviews of highway construction, but they cannot review transit construction without the federal government.
“Utah’s transit projects will be better off without the federal government meddling in every decision and holding up construction,” Lee elaborated. “My Streamline Transit Projects Act will give this authority back to the states to make construction timelines faster and quality better. Don’t tread on our TRAX!”
Sen. Kelly expressed a similar concern for transit projects taking place in Arizona. Transit projects in the state also face extensive red-tape interference.
“Right now, simple transit projects can get tied up in years of red tape. Arizonans shouldn’t have to wait that long for basic upgrades,” Kelly expanded. “Our bill cuts needless delays for low-impact projects by letting qualified local agencies handle routine environmental work, so commuters see the benefits sooner.”
Sen. Warnock similarly shared his thoughts on how this bill benefits Georgia by granting transit agencies, such as MARTA, the authority to establish their own project timelines.
“This bipartisan legislation will give transit agencies new tools to more quickly deliver projects that meet local needs and improve the ridership experience,” Warnock stated. “By delivering transit projects faster, we can continue to invest in a brighter, more connected future for all who call Georgia home.”
MARTA Interim General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt agreed with Warnock's sentiment, expressing optimism for upcoming projects.
“Reducing unnecessary administrative hurdles will help us accelerate project approvals and deliver high-quality transit to the metro Atlanta region more efficiently,” Hunt stated. “We strongly support efforts to modernize federal processes, streamline environmental reviews, and strengthen program flexibility.”
