STANDARDS.

SEC. 1306. STANDARDS. (a) Elimination of Guidelines and Annual Certification Requirements.— Section 109 of title 23, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking subsection (m); and (2) by redesignating subsections (n) through (q) as subsections (m) through (p), respectively. (b) Safety standards.— Section 109 of such title (as amended by subsection (a)), is amended by adding at the end the following: “(q) Phase Construction.— Safety considerations for a project under this title may be met by phase construction consistent with the operative safety management system established in accordance with section 303 or in accordance with a statewide transportation improvement program approved by the Secretary.” .