U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary Thomas Barrett has announced the next DOT plan to combat congested highways.

On Thursday, Oct. 9, Barrett announced “America’s Marine Highway Program,” an initiative to take more freight and people off the highways and onto ships and river barges.

The announcement included a $25 million commitment from the Department of Transportation to help regions develop waterway routes as part of an overall congestion mitigation and air quality program.

“These highways have no stoplights, traffic or potholes,” Barrett announced while touring one of the many port waterways in Norfolk, VA.

Barrett said that a new barge line in Norfolk could remove more than 4,000 trucks from Interstate 64.

DOT officials published an interim final rule on Oct. 2, which contains a 120-day public comment period leading up to the final rule. Click here to read the DOT announcement of the interim rule in the Federal Register.

The interim rule is designated as DOT Docket Number MARAD-2008-0096.

Click here to comment via the Web. Comments will also accepted by hand delivery or by mail at the following address:
            Docket Management Facility
            U.S. Department of Transportation
            1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Room PL-401
            Washington, DC 20590-0001

Comments received could help change or shape the final rule, DOT officials stated.

The office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

According to the DOT, all submissions must include the agency name and docket number for the appropriate rulemaking. Comments will be posted verbatim at www.regulations.gov including any personal information provided.

– By David Tanner, staff writer
david_tanner@landlinemag.com