§ 216. — Darien Gap Highway.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 23USC216]
TITLE 23--HIGHWAYS
CHAPTER 2--OTHER HIGHWAYS
Sec. 216. Darien Gap Highway
(a) The United States shall cooperate with the Government of the
Republic of Panama and with the Government of Colombia in the
construction of approximately two hundred and fifty miles of highway in
such countries in the location known as the ``Darien Gap'' to connect
the Inter-American Highway authorized by section 212 of this title with
the Pan American Highway System of South America. Such highway shall be
known as the ``Darien Gap Highway''. Funds authorized by this section
shall be obligated and expended subject to the same terms, conditions,
and requirements with respect to the Darien Gap Highway as are funds
authorized for the Inter-American Highway by subsection (a) of section
212 of this title.
(b) The construction authorized by this section shall be under the
administration of the Secretary, who shall consult with the appropriate
officials of the Department of State with respect to matters involving
the foreign relations of this Government, and such negotiations with the
Governments of the Republic of Panama and Colombia as may be required to
carry out the purposes of this section shall be conducted through, or
authorized by, the Department of State.
(c) The provisions of this section shall not create nor authorize
the creation of any obligations on the part of the Government of the
United States with respect to any expenditures for highway survey or
construction heretofore or hereafter undertaken in Panama or Colombia,
other than the expenditures authorized by the provision of this section.
(d) Appropriations made pursuant to any authorization for the Darien
Gap Highway shall be available for expenditure by the Secretary for
necessary administrative and engineering expenses in connection with the
Darien Gap Highway program.
(e) For the purposes of this section the term ``construction'' does
not include any costs of rights-of-way, relocation assistance, or the
elimination of hazards of railway grade crossings.
(Added Pub. L. 91-605, title I, Sec. 113(a), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat.
1721.)
Authorization of Appropriations
Section 113(c) of Pub. L. 91-605 provided that: ``There is hereby
authorized to be appropriated not to exceed $100,000,000, to remain
available until expended to enable the Secretary of Transportation to
carry out section 216 of title 23, United States Code.''
