What's ISTEA?

ISTEA is the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, passed into law in 1991. It governs how the U.S. Government spends transportation money. And it sets the rules for how states and local governments can spend the federal transportation funds they receive.

ISTEA broke new ground by shifting the way we think about transportation. Rather than simply building more highways, the purpose of ISTEA was to create a transportation system where all modes (motor vehicles, trains, pedestrians, transit, bicycles) had their roles. No longer was it good enough to plan for cars and let everyone else fend for themselves. And no longer could transportation agencies ignore public concerns.

Here are some of the key changes brought by ISTEA:

1. Required states, cities, and counties to consult citizens
2. Made cleaning the air we breathe an important part of the picture
3. Gave local officials--those most in touch with local needs--a stronger role
4. Recognized that transportation is more than moving cars and trucks
5. Connected transportation planning with land use

Make no mistake about it: these important changes are under seige, as highway interests work to reverse the gains America has made.

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