US House panel hears roads testimony in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Mary Fallin and Oklahoma transportation officials are asking congressional leaders to help reduce federal regulations that they say often slows road projects in the state. Fallin testified Thursday during a field hearing of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure at Oklahoma
City Community College. The committee includes Republican U.S. Rep. James Lankford - who succeeded Fallin in Congress.

Fallin and Lankford both cited the importance of transportation to the state's economy and Fallin urged Congress to consider easing what she calls "one-size fits all" requirements on states. She and others mentioned regulations such as one in the Americans with Disabilities Act that they say requires the construction of sidewalk ramps for wheelchairs on road resurfacing projects.