S.Amdt. 1605

SA 1605. Mr. MERKLEY (for himself and Mr. Sanders) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 1813, to reauthorize Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place in section 1105 (in the text amending section 104 of title 23, United States Code), insert the following:

“(e) Pedestrian and Bicycle Projects.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, not less than 2 percent of funds apportioned under this section shall be used for any of the following activities, regardless of whether the activities are carried out as part of any program or project authorized or funded under this title or as independent programs or projects relating to surface transportation:

“(1) Provision of facilities for pedestrian and bicycles.

“(2) Provision of safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists.

“(3) Preservation of abandoned railway corridors, including the conversion and use of the corridors for pedestrian or bicycle trails.

“(4)(A) The installation or modification of bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkways in accordance with section 217.

“(B) The modification of public sidewalks to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).

“(5) Recreational trails projects eligible for funding under section 206.

“(6) Safe routes to school projects eligible for funding under section 1404 of the SAFETEA-LU (23 U.S.C. 402 note; Public Law 109-59).

“(7) Provision of transportation choices, including--

“(A) on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other nonmotorized forms of transportation, including--

“(i) sidewalks;

“(ii) bicycle infrastructure;

“(iii) pedestrian and bicycle signals;

“(iv) traffic calming techniques;

“(v) lighting;

“(vi) other safety-related infrastructure; and

“(vii) transportation projects to achieve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.);

“(B) the planning, design, and construction of infrastructure-related projects and systems that will provide safe routes for nondrivers (including children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities) to access daily needs; and

“(C) activities for safety and education for pedestrians and bicyclists and to encourage walking and bicycling, including efforts to encourage walking and bicycling to school and community centers.”.