Senate confirms Nicole Nason to lead FHWA

By a vote of 95 to one, the U.S. Senate confirmed Nicole Nason to lead the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on March 28.

Nominated by President Trump on Jan. 3 as the next FHWA administrator, Nason emphasized in her confirmation testimony that she plans to pay particular attention to increasing road safety in rural areas of the country. “My priority is safety on all roads, but we must recognize and address some of the unique safety challenges faced by rural communities,” she explained in her testimony before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) on Jan. 29.

Nason will be entering her position with the FHWA to oversee the nation's surface transportation system during a time when parts of the infrastructure system are crumbling, including thousands of bridges across the country that are considered structurally deficient. She also will have a role to play in addressing the advancement of autonomous technology and shoring up the Highway Trust Fund.

Several senators and transportation officials issued statements praising Nason as the appointee, including Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), chairman of the EPW committee. “Nicole Nason will do an excellent job leading the Federal Highway Administration,” Barrasso said. “She will be an important partner as Congress drafts and implements bipartisan highway infrastructure legislation.”

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Source: AASHTO Journal / Transport Topics