Action
Final rule.
Summary
FRA published an Interim final rule with request for comments on October 13, 1998 (63 FR 54600), implementing the Magnetic Levitation Technology Deployment Program. An amendment to the interim final rule was published on February 12, 1999 (64 FR 7133) extending the deadline for the submission of application packages from December 31, 1998, to February 15, 1999, and making other adjustments to various dates which flow from that extension of time. As amended, the interim final rule establishes dates for the Timing of Major Milestones and requires FRA to select one project for final design, engineering, and construction funding at the completion of Phase III. This rulemaking revises the dates established for the Timing of Major Milestones to reflect unanticipated delays in the completion of Phase I of the program, changes the description of Phase II to eliminate the requirement for each grant recipient to initiate activities aimed at preparing a site-specific draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), expands Phase III to allow down-selecting to more than one project for additional study, and shifts FRA's selection of one project for final design, engineering, and construction funding to Phase IV. It also specifies that certain expenses incurred prior to the execution of a cooperative agreement to assist in the financing of pre-construction activities, but after enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21) (June 9, 1998), are eligible for reimbursement of the Federal share of the cost.