In This Issue

	Study Looks at Florida in 2025, 2050
	Nashville's I-40 Completed Five Months Early
	California Cuts Are Hard to Make
	Minn. Gov. Proposes $100M Infusion for Transportation
	Legislature Holds Key to Highway Needs
	Taxes Considered in Place of Tolls
	Bush Seeks Cut in Gas Consumption
	Light Rail Plan Must be Amended to be Viable
	Gregoire says Tunnel is Viable, but Questions Remain

Study Looks at Florida in 2025, 2050

Florida - Transportation engineers in Florida are considering a "multimodal" highway system, using special vehicle lanes and light rail lines to keep future generations moving as population growth overwhelms the current system.

Florida's Future Corridors Action Plan, a study recently unveiled by the state DOT, broadly describes what the state will look like in 2025 and 2050 if no alterations are made. Right now planners are in the first phase, identifying "transportation corridors," or stretches of roadway in which it is plausible to build new roads, expand existing ones, or construct commuter rail lines.

The study is examining five existing corridors and nine potential corridors; including a Tampa-Jacksonville corridor is being considered that could introduce tolls or a rail line or both. Also, I-75 between Naples and the Georgia border is one of the existing routes that could be widened or have rail added.

The cost of building the new corridors is estimated at $1.8 million per lane mile and rising. The study said that, "In particular, toll financing will be emphasized for new corridors."

Nashville's I-40 Completed Five Months Early

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Interstate 40 widening project near the Nashville International Airport has been completed five months ahead of it's May 2007 projected completion date, according to an announcement from the Tennessee Department of Transportation

"The addition of more lanes on this section of I-40 has eased congestion in this area during peak travel times and hopefully saved motorists some time in their commute to and from work," said Gerald Nicely, TDOT Commissioner. "The ability to deliver a project of this magnitude months ahead of schedule shows that the incentives we include on our major interstate contracts are working to the benefit of the motorists."

TDOT estimates almost 120,000 vehicles travel this section of I-40 everyday. The project was designed to improve the flow of traffic by widening I-40 from Donelson Pike to the I-24/I-440 split and reconstructing the I-40/Briley Parkway interchange, among other improvements. TDOT leaders worked closely with contractor Dement Construction to deliver the project ahead of schedule with minimum impact to motorists.

California Cuts Are Hard to Make

California - Even though California's government has overspent its budget every year since Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor, many democrats still complain every time he makes a cut to a program, claiming he is no longer bipartisan. Recently, Schwarzenegger attempted to save money by moving transportation funds: sending $1.1 billion from public transit to pay for school bus service, transport the mentally disabled, and pay back infrastructure bonds. The governor was criticized for compromising his environmental credentials by stripping the public transit systems of $1.1 billion.

However, the $1.1 billion is being pulled from the "spillover" fund, which sees windfall proceeds whenever gas prices skyrocket. There have been numerous years with no spillover money whatsoever since the fund began in 1972. But with the recent higher gas prices, the fund is projected to see $600 million this fiscal year, and up to $1.1 billion in 2007-2008. Transit agencies using "spillover" revenue must see them as one time dollars and not spend them as an on-going revenue stream in their budgets.

Schwarzenegger's team transferred the money into the general fund, which if proved legal, will stabilize the general fund while funding transportation for the mentally disabled and school children. If the transit agencies consider current funding levels, and not the potential for next year, they would only be losing about $300 million. However, Schwarzenegger has also proposed $600 million in bond money from Proposition 1B go to transit projects - so transit may see no cut at all.

Officials from the governor's office have pointed out that while the state spends nearly one-third of its $24 billion transportation fund on public transit, only 2 percent of trips involve public transit.

Clint Topham, currently with PB, was the deputy director of UDOT during most of my tenure there as the CEO. He was a skilled and effective force for our agency at the legislature. Whenever cuts in programs were suggested he often wisely told lawmakers and proposers that all programs have constituencies. Some are more evident than others but proposed elimination will always bring forward whoever they are. This truism is valid across the nation. TW

Minn. Gov. Proposes $100M Infusion for Transportation

Minnesota - Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has proposed a one-time infusion of $100 million for the upcoming two-year spending cycle. Pawlenty has also suggested shifting the leasing sales tax from the general fund to highways and transit, which could bring an additional $67 million in funding for transportation over the two year period.

Pawlenty hopes to spend $5 million of the $100 million infusion on a mileage-charge demonstration project, as a possible alternative to the gas tax. Rep. Mary Liz Holberg, R-Lakeburg, former House transportation finance chairwoman, agrees with the governor's tax-shift proposal, but says the mileage fee would be hard to collect from all of the tourists traveling through the state.

The governor has already proposed $1.7 billion in transportation bonding to accelerate road construction projects. He believes funding should come from the motor vehicle sales tax dedication, passed by voters in November.

Legislature Holds Key to Highway Needs

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas – The head of Arkansas' state Highway and Transportation Department advised lawmakers Monday to consider additional funding sources to pay for a $15 billion revenue shortfall over the next decade. Some funding options on the table include a new bond issue, new fees, sales tax revenues from car products, or a combination of those. Voters rejected a highway bond issue in 2005 which would have allowed the Arkansas Highway Commission to have $575 million in bonds out at any one time.

In 2006 the highway commission unanimously recommended to the Legislature dedicating sales taxes from items related to roads and automobiles to highway projects. But even if the sales tax from repair parts and services was sent to transportation, it would only amount to $167 million.

"Whether or not the time is right for any of them or all of them I think lies with the wisdom of the General Assembly," said the director of the AHTD, Dan Flowers, to the Senate Transportation, Technology, and Legislative Affairs Committee. "We think it's important that we lay out the needs in Arkansas. We stand ready to do what we can to utilize any funds we might get."

Taxes Considered in Place of Tolls

Massachusetts - If asked whether they would pay a few extra cents per gallon of gas or daily tolls on the Metro West Turnpike, commuters who regularly drive the corridor would probably take the trade in a heartbeat. But for those who rarely drive the Turnpike west of Route 128, it may not be such a bargain. A proposal currently before the Turnpike board to increase the state's 21-cent tax by three cents and end western tolls by July is fueling the debate.

The abolishment of tolls would create a $72 million annual maintenance bill to be paid for by the tax hike. Critics argue that the tolls could be considered a tax for those who take the Turnpike, which they say more equitably shifts the cost to the users across the state.

"I don't see any appetite to either get rid of the tolls – except (among) a certain number of legislators – or increase the gas tax," said state Rep. Peter Koutoujian, D-Waltham. “When you think about the numbers that would need to support such efforts, with clear indication that the governor is opposed, (it) really seems to make the whole issue insurmountable."

Bush Seeks Cut in Gas Consumption

WASHINGTON - President Bush proposed to slash U.S. gasoline consumption by 20 percent over the next ten years in his annual State of the Union address. The President hopes to achieve this goal through a sharp increase in the amounts of alternative fuels, such as ethanol, that are blended into our fuel supply by government mandates. The remainder would come from increasing fuel economy standards for passenger cars, a plan Bush has suggested in the past which failed to make it past Congress.

Bush acknowledged to the Democratic-controlled Congress that while it may be said that such a drastic increase in alternative fuel-use is not realistic, if Congress approved the new mandate, it would spur investments throughout the industry and boost technological research.

"America is on the verge of technological breakthroughs that will enable us to live our lives less dependent on foreign oil," Bush said. "These technologies will help us become better stewards of the environment--and they will help us to confront the serious challenge of global climate change."

According to the president, the renewable fuel components of the plan alone would cut emissions from cars and light trucks by as much as 10% by 2017.

Secretary Mary Peters spoke to these points in her remarks at the Chairman's Luncheon at the 2007 Annual TRB meeting in Washington, DC this week. They are ambitious goals. In her talk she noted how resourceful and creative the transportation industry is and that she was confident these reductions in fuel consumption were possible. She also mentioned an ambitious $175 million program aimed at congestion relief-a common theme referred to by the Secretary on every possible occasion. TW

Light Rail Plan Must be Amended to be Viable

KANSAS CITY - A recently approved light-rail ballot initiative in Kansas City is loaded with problems, which must be extensively revised and presented to voters as quickly as possible. At recent City Council hearing, testimony from experts detailed the problems to the plan and brought about the undeniable conclusion.

Some of the problems listed by the experts include:

-It may be unconstitutional. Assistant City Attorney Bill Geary said ballot initiatives must include a funding source. The plan relies heavily on federal funding, which is not guaranteed.

-Jurisdictional Dilemmas: The planned route uses streets and roads that belong to North Kansas City and Gladstone; approval has not been requested from voters in those cities. And the proposed plan uses the Heart of America Bridge, which is operated by the state.

-Even if the plan won the highly competitive federal funding, it would be over seven years before construction money would be received. A transit expert from the Washington lobbying firm Holland & Knight, Jeff Booth, said the Federal Transit Administration typically won’t approve funding for a system that hasn't undergone an extensive planning process, starting with an "alternatives analysis" study. This study has not yet been performed for the proposed route. Booth also said multiple parts of the plan would not qualify for federal funding.

Kansas City voters have shown they want light rail and are ready to pay for it. Now city officials must amend the ballot measure to present a more viable plan for approval.

Gregoire says Tunnel is Viable, but Questions Remain

OLYMPIA - Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire is seemingly still undecided on how she wants to proceed with replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Monday, she said that while still an option, too many safety questions remain about the scaled-down, four-lane tunnel presented Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels last week.

"We have two very passionate views on what should be done here," said Gregoire. "You have a situation where the Legislature could choose not to appropriate the funds. The city could say we're not going to give you any permits so you're not going to build an elevated structure."

Mayor Nickels proposed the $3.4 billion, four-lane tunnel as an alternative to the $4.6 billion, six lane tunnel being considered by the state. However, the idea was largely rejected by Gregoire and top legislators. The governor and lawmakers gave the city two choices: either construct a new viaduct, or instead use the state money to replace the Evergreen floating bridge over Lake Washington. Legislative leaders have long been opposed to replacing the viaduct with a tunnel of any sort.

By a 6-3 vote, the Seattle City Council decided to put two questions on an advisory ballot. The first asks voters if they would prefer to replace the viaduct with a $2.8 billion elevated highway; the second asks if they would rather see the viaduct replaced with a $3.4 billion tunnel. However, the ballot initiative will not include options for funding either approach. City leaders have planned the vote, which will include the smaller tunnel option, on March 13, because Gregoire said that it must take place before the April 22 legislative session.