S.Amdt. 911

SA 911. Mr. CARDIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to
amendment SA 738 proposed by Mr. Inouye to the bill H.R. 2112, making
appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes; which was ordered to
lie on the table; as follows:

On page 286, between lines 6 and 7, insert the following:

SEC. 1__. STUDY OF APPALACHIAN DEVELOPMENT HIGHWAY SYSTEM.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Cochairpersons.--The term ``cochairpersons'' means the
cochairpersons of the Appalachian Regional Commission.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Transportation.
(3) System.--The term ``System'' means the Appalachian
development highway system described in section 14501 of
title 40, United States Code.
(b) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, with the concurrence of
the cochairpersons, shall--
(1) conduct a study regarding the System, in accordance
with subsection (c); and
(2) submit a report describing the results of the study
to--
(A) the Committees on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives; and
(C) the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the
Senate.
(c) Requirements.--
(1) In general.--In conducting the study under this
section, the Secretary, with the concurrence of the
cochairpersons, shall--
(A) evaluate the effectiveness of the System in meeting the
original purpose and goals of the System;
(B) reevaluate the purpose of, and need for, each
incomplete corridor of the System;
(C) determine the estimated cost of completing each such
corridor and the economic benefits to the communities served
by those projects, on a State-by-State basis; and
(D) establish timelines and delivery schedules for the
completion of each incomplete corridor determined to be
necessary under this paragraph.
(2) Alternative federal-aid highway projects in appalachian
region.--
(A) In general.--If the Secretary determines that an
incomplete corridor is unnecessary under paragraph (1)(B),
the Secretary, with the concurrence of the cochairpersons,
may evaluate other transportation needs within the area to be
served by that incomplete corridor to determine whether an
alternative Federal-aid highway project of greater value to
that area may be carried out.
(B) Costs and time limitations.--If an alternative Federal-
aid highway project is identified under subparagraph (A),
that project may be carried out, subject to the conditions
that--
(i) the cost to complete the alternative project does not
exceed the estimated cost of completing the original
incomplete corridor under paragraph (1)(B); and
(ii) the timeline and delivery schedule for completion of
the alternative project does not exceed any timeline or
delivery schedule established for the original incomplete
corridor under paragraph (1)(C).
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