Government

Federal regulators have proposed a pilot program intended to eliminate duplication of the environmental review process by allowing up to five states to conduct the reviews for infrastructure projects using state law rather than federal law.

WASHINGTON — Inaction this year on a long-term infrastructure funding bill in the U.S. House prompted a top Democrat to strongly voice his frustration toward Republicans at a high-profile hearing Oct. 11 that looked at ways to fund the nation’s transportation network.

California took another step Oct. 11 toward permitting testing of self-driving vehicles without a human driver, continuing a shift away from previous policies that companies criticized as being overly restrictive.

NAFTA talks have resumed with the U.S. administration looking increasingly isolated in its proposals to change the trade pact, as key figures raised the prospect of a collapse in negotiations.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced that it is granting the Truck Renting and Leasing Association a five-year exemption from a federal requirement that all trucks be equipped with electronic logging devices to record drivers’ hours of service.

Keith Mullin felt lucky he found a space to park his truck Oct. 6 at an Interstate 4 rest area in Longwood, Fla., after a 20-hour trip from central Wisconsin.

Missouri’s chief of transportation will join manufacturing and construction executives to share their perspective with House lawmakers this week about infrastructure projects in need of funding.

The Federal Highway Administration has divided $15.5 million between six states that are exploring alternative ways to fund highway and bridge projects.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s recent series of state-level grants will not only improve driver safety, but will also expedite the process of obtaining a commercial driver license, according to Tom Keane, director of the agency’s Office of Safety Programs.