U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced an agreement between the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) aimed at expediting infrastructure projects in Texas. This agreement allows Texas to take more control over environmental permitting, potentially speeding up the initiation and completion of critical bridge and highway projects.
Secretary Duffy said, "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!" He further commented, "This agreement is just another example of how our department is committed to America building again."
Marc Williams, Executive Director of TxDOT, remarked, "Texas taking responsibility for the Federal environmental approval process has served to expedite transportation projects and reduce costs." He described the new agreement as a significant step forward by the Trump Administration to enhance federal-state partnerships.
The agreement builds on TxDOT's existing environmental review program, which has been in place since 2014 under the FHWA National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Assignment Program. The renewed Memorandum of Understanding extends TxDOT's authority for ten years instead of five and removes several reporting requirements introduced by the Biden-Buttigieg Administration.
Once finalized, this agreement is expected to accelerate projects such as Downtown Interstate 10 in El Paso and State Highway 36A in Houston. The USDOT encourages other states to assume NEPA responsibilities to lower project costs and empower state management.
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