U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to help the state build infrastructure projects faster. The agreement would allow Texas to take more ownership of environmental permitting requirements – cutting down on red tape so critical bridge and highway projects are started and completed faster. This Federal-State partnership will serve as a model for other States interested in implementing Secretary Duffy’s “America is Building Again” agenda.

“The Biden Administration added burdensome NEPA requirements like environmental justice initiatives that delayed progress on vital road and bridge projects. No wonder nothing got done! said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “This agreement is just another example of how our department is committed to America building again. If enacted, Texas’ new agreement will allow the state to tackle critical infrastructure bigger, better and faster.”

“Texas taking responsibility for the Federal environmental approval process has served to expedite transportation projects and reduce costs,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “This new agreement is a significant step forward by the Trump Administration to solidify a strong Federal-State partnership and empower Texas to efficiently move projects forward.”

The agreement represents a higher degree of trust and autonomy with regards to Texas’ well-established environmental review program. Once finalized, the new agreement is expected to bolster TxDOT’s ongoing efforts to improve travel for motorists in the Lone Star State by shortening project development and advancing projects to construction such as the Downtown Interstate 10 in El Paso, the South Padre Island 2nd Bridge, the State Highway 36A in Houston and other similar projects.