(December 2005)

Fact Sheet: Ferderal Highway Reauthorization

More than 80 percent of all leisure and business travel occurs on the nation's highways.  Whether by personal auto, rental car, bus or recreation vehicle, most Americans reach their destination on public highways and roads.  Ensuring a safe and efficient surface transportation system ensures national mobility and promotes continued growth in travel and tourism.  Recognizing the importance of highway travel on the tourism industry, TIA has been actively involved in four key issues:

Federal Funding: Overall funding for highway improvements is our industry's top priority.  It is critical that our nation's highways, bridges, and tunnels be properly maintained so travelers are safe on the road and reach their destinations on time.  On June 9, 1998 the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) was enacted as Public Law 105-175.  TEA-21 authorized the funding of Federal surface transportation programs for highways, highway safety and transit over a 6-year period (1998-2003).  TEA-21 expired on September 30, 2003 and as a result of significant budget constraints a new long-term reauthorization was not able to be agreed upon by Congress. 

Understanding the importance of highway federal funding on the tourism industry, TIA lobbied Congress for a full reauthorization.  Through the efforts of TIA and various members of the travel industry the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) was signed by President Bush and enacted as Public Law 109-59 on August 10, 2005.  SAFETEA-LU was overwhelmingly passed with bi-partisan support in both the Senate (91-4) as well as the House (412-8).  SAFETEA-LU provides more than $244 billion dollars of funding over a 5-year period (2005-2009) to upgrade and maintain our nation's vast network of highways, bridges and tunnels.  SAFETEA-LU will help to improve the safety and convenience of highway travel in America, and in turn help promote and advance increased growth in travel. 

National Scenic Byways: The 21 All-American Roads and 98 National Scenic Byways in 44 states across the country afford domestic and international visitors the opportunity to experience this country's unique historical, cultural and natural qualities.  In order for a road to be designated by the U.S Secretary of Transportation as an All-American Road, a road must be nationally important, unique and be significantly appealing as a tourist destination.  For a road to be designated as a National Scenic Byway, it must posses one of the following qualities: historical, cultural, natural, scenic, recreational, or archeological.

Every All-American Road and National Scenic Byway is a unique attraction and an interesting part of American history and culture.  Properly funding and promoting these roads as attractive destinations will increase international and domestic interest in our nation's Byways.  In an effort to increase All-American Road and National Scenic Byway awareness, TIA supports increased funding for marketing efforts, visitor information programs and scenic pullouts, along with other capital investments.

In addition to supporting increased federal funding, TIA has also leveraged the SeeAmerica brand and program in order to promote the National Scenic Byways system.  In order to educate the public about the numerous Byways in America as well as help potential visitors and travelers plan trips using these historic roads, TIA has developed a helpful interactive map (http://www.seeamerica.org/byways/index.html)on the SeeAmerica website. 

Transportation Enhancements: TIA has consistently supported the Transportation Enhancements (TE) program.   TE activities are federally funded community-based projects designed to improve local communities by preserving historic buildings, landmarks and neighborhoods, and making roads and highways more attractive.  TIA is particularly supportive of funds being expended for "tourist and welcome centers," and supports other TE activates that benefit travel and tourism.

Federal Lands Highways: TIA also supports higher levels of funding for improvements to roads and bridges in our national parks, forests and other public lands.  With more than 90,000 miles of federally owned and managed public roads serving visitors and recreation users, adequate funding is critical for proper maintenance and improvements.  National parks, forests and other public lands are important destinations for both domestic and international visitors.  Greater funding to ensure improved maintenance of these roads will help facilitate travel.

For more information, contact Rick Webster – Vice President, Public Affairs at (202) 408-8422.