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Obama Fast Tracks Infrastructure Projects Through Review Process

The Obama administration has selected 14 infrastructure projects to be fast-tracked through the permit and review process.

The Obama Administration announced on Tuesday the selection of 14 infrastructure projects nationwide that will be sped through the environmental review and permitting process as a means of creating jobs.

The projects' selection follows a memorandum issued by President Barack Obama last year to various federal agencies, directing them to develop a more efficient review and permitting process for high-priority, according a White House statement.

Qualified projects will create a significant number of jobs, have already identified funding and can be completed within the next 18 months. As part of the administration's push for transparency, the public will be able to track the progress of the 14 projects after construction begins by the end of November, according to the release.

The selections range from various bridges to airport improvements to renewable energy initiatives. The full list is as follows:

  • The Tappan Zee Bridge in New York.
  • The Crenshaw/LAX project, which will extend a Los Angeles subway line nearer to the airport. * The Whittier Bridge in Massachusetts.
  • The Provo Westside Connector highway in Utah.
  • The Baltimore Red Line in Maryland, which will connect the city's suburban areas with downtown.
  • The Next Generation Air Transportation System project in Texas, which will implement more efficient air routes for the two airports in Houston.
  • The Navajo Gallup Water Supply project in New Mexico.
  • The Denver Mariposa Housing project in Colorado.
  • The Arroyo Sequit Watershed and Qwuloolt Estuary Coastal Habitat Restoration project in California.
  • The West Coast Coastal Habitat Restoration project in California and Washington.
  • The Cleghorn Ridge Wind project in California, which will involve up to 52 wind turbine generators.
  • The Deerfield Wind Power project in Vermont.
  • The Dakota Prairie and Little Missouri National Grasslands in South Dakota and North Dakota, which will involve a expedited review of oil and gas applications.
Dylan Scott is a GOVERNING staff writer.
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