Transportation Secretary Announces
Funds for Road, Bridge Repairs

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters last week announced that the federal government is making $679 million available immediately to states across the nation to cover costs incurred to repair roads and bridges damaged by various natural emergencies and catastrophic events.

These emergency relief funds will go to 28 states and Puerto Rico to pay for damages caused by storms, flooding, hurricanes, and other disasters.  Among the disasters covered are the summer 2008 floods in the Midwest, as well as recent hurricanes.

The funds will be used to reimburse states for fixing or replacing damaged highways and bridges; establishing detours; removing debris and replacing signs,  lighting, and guardrails.

Click here for a state-by-state breakdown of the emergency relief funds.

Contact John Sullivan or Leif Wathne.

Testimony Urges Infrastructure Investment

The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee heard testimony this week from a number of state and local government officials, highway and transit groups, economists, and other stakeholders advocating for substantial infrastructure investment for a possible second economic stimulus package.  A total of 17 witnesses testified before the panel.

The hearing was held as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif) and other Congressional Democratic leaders prepare for a second stimulus package.  The Speaker recently said the second economic stimulus package would have a significant infrastructure component.  The cost of the total package could by as much as $150 billion, although some economists believe that such a package should be as high as $300 billion. 

Economist John Irons, Director of Research and Policy at the Economic Policy Institute, recommended a $75 billion infrastructure investment in his testimony.  He noted construction unemployment is the highest of any industry–9.9 percent in September. 

Other witnesses testified in support of 100 percent federal share to help cash-strapped states, as well as to ensure the dollars are spent quickly and efficiently. 

The American Association of State Transportation Officials cited some 3,000 highway and bridge projects that could start within 30 to 90 days.  Similarly, the American Public Transportation Association said $8 billion in transit projects would be ready to go within 90 days.

In September, the House of Representatives approved a stimulus bill (H.R 7110) that provided more than $30 billion in infrastructure funding.  The Senate failed to approve the measure. 

Following the hearing, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.) said the testimony before his committee demonstrated that higher infrastructure investment levels can be attained. 

Congress may consider the stimulus legislation during a possible lame-duck session the week of November 17.

Contact David Hubbard or Leif Wathne.

Transportation Officials Outline Reauthorization Priorities

Last week, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) approved its priorities for inclusion in next year’s discussion on reauthorizing the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA–LU).

AASHTO recommended, for the years 2010 through 2015, some $545 billion in funding for highways, transit, freight, and intercity passenger rail.  The funding breakdown is as follows:

• Highways - $375 billion
• Transit - $93 billion
• Freight - $42 billion
• Intercity Passenger Rail - $35 billion

The plan also calls for “streamlining of the current number of federal programs” and limiting earmarks to no more than five percent of the total of the legislation.

Click here to view AASHTO’s reauthorization agenda.

Contact Tom Carter, Kevin Walgenbach, Leif Wathne, David Hubbard or John Sullivan.

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