Highway bill passes Senate, includes numerous Heller provisions

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Dean Heller’s (R-NV) bill (S. 842) to extend the future Interstate 11 (I-11) from Las Vegas to northern Nevada passed the U.S. Senate as part of the Highway Bill, otherwise known as the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act (DRIVE Act). Following Senate passage, Senator Heller issued this statement:

“This project is the result of hard work and dedication by many Nevada groups and individuals. Extending I-11 to northern Nevada will unleash markets for tourism and trade, improve our economy, and create needed jobs,” said Senator Dean Heller.

 As a member of three of the four Senate Committees tasked with developing the highway bill – the Senate Finance; Commerce, Science and Transportation; and Banking Committees – Senator Heller was able to secure a number of provisions in the Senate highway bill that will increase mobility, enhance safety, and spur long-term economic growth throughout Nevada and the nation.

“Transportation efficiency and reliability are critical to our nation’s economic competitiveness, and I am proud we were able to include a variety of Nevada and national priorities in this multi-year highway bill,” Senator Dean Heller continued. “The policies in the DRIVE Act will help address our need to maintain, repair, and expand the national transportation system, which will create short-term jobs and long-term economic growth. I look forward to working with the House and Senate conferees to move this legislation to the President’s desk.”

Click here to watch Senator Heller’s speech in HD

Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval praised Senator Heller for his work on the DRIVE Act by issuing this statement:

“I applaud the United States Senate for passing a bi-partisan, long-term transportation bill that will allow states to engage in multi–year planning. I want to thank Senator Heller for working to include language that will allow Nevada to begin planning the long-term future of Interstate 11, as well as language that will enhance federal funding opportunities for critically-needed infrastructure at Lake Tahoe. I am hopeful this significant step will lead to the final passage of a long term bill when Congress returns this fall," said Governor Brian Sandoval.

Mayors Carolyn Goodman (Las Vegas), Geno Martini (Sparks), and Hillary Schieve (Reno) have signaled support for the DRIVE Act. You can click on each name above to read their letters of support.

Background of each Heller provision included in the DRIVE Act:

• Intermountain West Corridor Development Act of 2015 (S. 842) ensures that the future I-11 is connected to northern Nevada, giving it a key role as an international trade route. Specifically, this provision provides both Arizona’s and Nevada’s Departments of Transportation the flexibility to develop a northern Nevada connectivity corridor and a southern Arizona connectivity corridor as part of the I-11 effort. This full north-to-south, Canada-to-Mexico interstate system is critical for our nation’s mobility, economy, and national defense. An in-depth look at the legislation, including a map, is available HERE.

• Safety Through Informed Consumers Act (STICRS) Act (S. 1535) promotes safer cars by requiring the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to integrate crash-avoidance technology information, such as active braking and lane-tracking technology, into the safety rating information listed on the car sticker. Senators Heller and Edward Markey (D-MA) joined with Representatives Todd Rokita (R-IN) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) on this bipartisan, bicameral legislation.

• Hours of Service (HOS) Exemption Amendment makes the existing HOS exemption for perishable goods, such as concrete, permanent. Under an existing rule, drivers of commercial motor vehicles are required to take a 30-minute break after at most eight consecutive hours of work. Industries, such as the ready mixed concrete industry – whose products are perishable – find it difficult to implement the HOS regulation given the unique conditions of their work. Once a delivery is started, it must be completed or the concrete may harden in the truck, causing thousands of dollars’ in damage. The concrete industry is critical to our nation’s transportation, and as such, its needs must be taken into consideration. 

• Lake Tahoe Transportation Planning Provision helps the Tahoe region’s transportation efforts by ensuring that the populations of the California and Nevada communities surrounding the Lake are considered a singular entity. This will greatly benefit local leaders as they seek additional resources to implement the Basin’s innovative 21^st century highway and transit plans. This language is similar to Section 7(c) of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act of 2015 (S.1724), which Senator Heller introduced alongside Senators Feinstein (D-CA), Boxer (D-CA), and Reid (D-NV) earlier this summer.

• Track, Railroad, and Infrastructure Network Act (S. 769) streamlines permitting for the repair and development of new rail infrastructure. The provision, which Senator Heller worked on with Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), is critical to ensure that scant infrastructure dollars are spent efficiently and wisely. 

• Railroad Infrastructure Financing Improvement Act (S. 797) implements a variety of reforms to the revolving loan program utilized to spur and develop railroad infrastructure.  The program, which is notoriously underutilized, would improve an important tool for new freight and passenger rail development. Senator Heller teamed with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) on this provision.

• Safe Streets Amendment (S.AMDT.2407) addresses the continued increase in pedestrian injuries and fatalities across the country. In Nevada, pedestrian fatalities are 24.8 percent of total traffic fatalities. The state is 6^th most dangerous for pedestrians over 65 years old. Senator Heller joined Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) on this amendment.

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