Humboldt County California's Transportation Report Card Released
September 8th, 2014 | By: Infrastructure Report Card
This afternoon the 2014 Report Card for Humboldt County’s Infrastructure, an independent review of the area’s transportation needs, was released by the North Coast Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers. The Report Card gave the County’s roads a grade of D+ grade and bridges received a grade of C-.
According to the new report, Humboldt County’s locally owned roads and bridges need five times the current investment simply to maintain their current condition.
“The grades are disappointing, but not surprising to Humboldt County’s citizens who drive these roads and bridges,” said Yoash Tilles, president, ASCE North Coast Branch. “This impacts our community’s economy, safety and daily life. It is time to make the investment to improve our transportation infrastructure.”
Among the key findings of the report:
- The Tribes, Cities and the County need five times its current funding to maintain the locally-operated roads and bridges at their current condition.
- In Humboldt County, the average condition of roads is assessed as mediocre.
- The locally-owned 170 bridges within Humboldt County received the average rating of mediocre.
- The number of lives lost in car accidents in Humboldt County is approximately double the state rate according to the California Highway Safety Plan for 2014.
- To improve roads and bridges, $426 million must be invested over the next 10 years.
Tags: bridges, California, Eureka, Humboldt County, infrastructure, roads, transportation
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Summer Travel Boom as Americans Hit the Road
September 5th, 2014 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
After being cooped up inside for what was in some parts of the country the coldest and snowiest winter on record, it appears based upon latest data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that Americans traveled on our roadways in force this spring and early summer. Vehicle miles traveled (VMT), a common measure of roadway use, hit its highest level in six years between July 2013 and June 2014. The first half of 2014 saw the fourth-highest mileage number ever since the FHWA first began collecting VMT information nearly eight decades ago. While dipping VMT has had its benefits for transit ridership and environmental air quality, the uptick is particularly good news for the ailing federal Highway Trust Fund (HTF), which provides state and local governments with money for transportation. A decrease in VMT during the end of 2007 following the Great Recession came at a time when highway and transit spending was exceeding revenues in the HTF. Since 2010, as the economy has improved, VMT has been slowly inching upward. However, this latest FHWA data suggests that VMT and the gasoline taxes that are collected remains a viable way to generate user fees for the HTF to dedicate towards transportation improvements. The real problem appears to be the annual decrease in purchasing power of user fees as a result of Congress’ inability to raise rates in order to maintain necessary federal investments in infrastructure. Congress should be encouraged by this latest report on the health of American mobility and use it as an opportunity to #FixTheTrustFund.Tags: gas tax, highway trust fund, transportation, VMT
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Missourians Reject Sales Tax for Infrastructure
August 6th, 2014 | By: Maria Matthews
On August 5 Missouri voters defeated a measure that would have established a dedicated infrastructure fund from revenue earned through three-quarters of a cent sales tax increase. Constitutional Amendment 7 was dismissed in a 59% to 41% vote. “We are very disappointed in the result, but the people have spoken and we respect that.” Stephen Miller, chairman of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, commented. “As we have seen for the past several years, I think Missourians have a clear understanding that more resources need to be invested in our transportation infrastructure, but there just isn’t any consensus on how to pay for it. We need to continue working toward that end.” The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Long Range Transportation Plan estimates that over the next 20 years, Missouri has at least $70 billion of infrastructure projects requested throughout the state, but only $17.3 billion of available funds are expected to be available. Had the measure passed it would have made an estimated $5.4 billion available over the next 10 years for state and local transportation projects. In fact, in July MoDOT release a list of “priority projects” that would have received funding with the revenue generated by the tax increase. The future of this list remains to be seen. Dave Nichols, director of the Missouri Department of Transportation, “We will continue our focus on safety, maintaining our roads and bridges, and providing outstanding customer service with the resources we have.” If Missourians wish to “raise the grade” on roads and bridges, adequate revenue must be collected and allocated to maintain and improve the state’s transportation infrastructure.Tags: Funding, infrastructure investment, Missouri, transportation
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Statement on the Congressional Passage of the 10 Month Patch to the Highway Trust Fund
August 1st, 2014 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
Washington, D.C. —The following is a statement from Randall (Randy) Over, P.E., President of The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) on the passage of short-term funding to the federal Highway Trust Fund.: “We thank Congress for passing the short-term patch to the Highway Trust Fund. This legislation will protect thousands of jobs and avert an economic calamity for a few more months. While this legislation is certainly better than nothing, all it actually does is reset the countdown clock for May 2015. “ASCE urges Congress to return from the August recess ready to find real solutions to fix the Highway Trust Fund. There is adequate time before Congress adjourns in 2014 to identify long-term, sustainable funding sources for the nation’s surface transportation program. We shouldn’t wait until May 2015 to solve America’s infrastructure problems.”Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 145,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society. For more information, visit www.asce.org.
Tags: congress, highway trust fund, transportation
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ASCE Statement on the Senate Passage of H.R. 5021 to Sustain the Highway Trust Fund until December
July 29th, 2014 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
Washington, D.C. —The following is a statement from Randall (Randy) Over, P.E., President of The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) on the passage of H.R. 5021 in the U.S. Senate: “This evening, the United States Senate assured that road, bridge, and transit projects, along with countless American jobs, will be preserved until at least December 2014. We also congratulate the bipartisan majority of Senators who helped pass the Carper-Corker-Boxer amendment. This amendment will help our economy and put us on a path to actually fixing the Highway Trust Fund this year. “The Senate made a number of smart choices today. By rejecting Senator Lee’s ‘devolution’ amendment, a bipartisan Senate strongly reaffirmed the federal government’s role in America’s transportation future. We know that we cannot build a modern infrastructure system capable of meeting the demands of a 21st century economy without a national vision, and we are pleased to see so many Senators feel the same. “It is now up to the House to act and immediately pass the Senate bill. For some time now, the American Society of Civil Engineers has been urging Congress to #FixTheTrustFund. Through social media, blogs, videos, press interviews, and even a website—www.fixthetrustfund.org—the key word the entire time has been ‘fix.’ Today, the Senate decided that they want to fix the Trust Fund in 2014. “Americans are tired of seeing Congress hem and haw when it comes to making tough choices. Our nation’s infrastructure deficit is not going away until our leaders find the courage to address America’s changing needs. Infrastructure is the backbone of our national economy, and by moving from stop-gap to stop-gap, Congress is only injecting greater uncertainty into an already fragile economic recovery. The time to fix the Highway Trust Fund is now. “Congress and the White House, Republicans and Democrats, all must come together to find a real solution to the Highway Trust Fund over the next five months. If we truly want to fix the Trust Fund, we need vision and leadership that is capable of looking beyond partisan divides and instead look for answers for renewed investment in America’s future.”Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 145,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society. For more information, visit www.asce.org
Tags: congress, highway trust fund, house of representatives, senate, transportation
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ASCE Statement on the House Plan to Maintain the Highway Trust Fund for Only 9 More Months
July 15th, 2014 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
Washington, D.C. —The following is a statement from Patrick Natale, P.E., Executive Director of The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) on the passage of H.R. 5021 in the U.S. House of Representatives: “Today, the U.S. House of Representatives averted an immediate economic disaster by addressing the impending insolvency of the Highway Trust Fund. Regrettably, their efforts also created a new, looming disaster next May. Punting on America’s infrastructure deficit will not fix the problem, and in fact will only create greater economic uncertainty. Congress needs to get serious about America’s future rather than creating more unnecessary turmoil. “America’s businesses, laborers, engineers, and manufacturers have been urging Congress for well over a year to find a long-term, sustainable solution to our country’s surface transportation issues. States and cities cannot plan for the future if funding is only going to be approved on a crisis by crisis basis. Imagine the challenges of building your home if you were unaware of where your money was coming from or when you could use it—that is the current case for America’s infrastructure. “The band-aid put on the Highway Trust Fund today ensures that we must limp along rather than take proactive steps to create a solid economic foundation. By maintaining current funding, we are solidifying funding levels that have given the U.S. an infrastructure grade of D+ in ASCE’s Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. Does Congress not think America deserves better than a barely passing grade? “This moment is the best opportunity in a generation to solve America’s infrastructure deficit. Now is the time for a renewed investment in our nation’s infrastructure. We need bipartisan leadership from Congress and the White House to pass a long-term, reliable funding solution that will give states and cities the ability to plan for the future.”###
Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 145,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society. For more information, visit www.asce.org.
Tags: ASCE, bridges, congress, highway trust fund, roads, surface transportation, transportation
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Missourians Asked to Vote “Yes” on Sales and Use Tax Increase
July 8th, 2014 | By: Maria Matthews
On August 5, Missourians go to the polls to weigh in on the future of the state’s transportation fund. Rather than enacting a temporary fix through an incremental gas tax hike, the Missouri Legislature put the matter in the hands of constituents in the form of Constitutional Amendment 7 which will appear on the August 5 ballot. If passed, the constitutional amendment will increase the sales and use tax three-quarters of one percent for a period of 10 years. This increase will establish a dedicated funding source not only for the state wide transportation system but, also county and city roads. With the exception of everyday expenses like, food, gas, utilities, or home and car payments, an additional three-quarter of one percent tax will be added to the existing state sales and use tax. In fact, during this 10-year period the state will be prohibited from raising the gas tax! It is estimated the proposed sales tax increase could lead to $5.4 billion over the lifetime of the tax — approximately $600 million of which will be diverted to county and city transportation projects. To put this into perspective, the Missouri DOT Long Range Transportation Plan estimates that over the next 20 years, Missouri has at least $70 billion of infrastructure projects requested throughout the state, but only $17.3 billion of available funds are expected to be available. A “yes” vote will ensure a reliable and sustainable source of revenue for the Missouri’s transportation fund. When August 5th arrives we ask that voters remember this: ✓ Money from the tax will only be spent on the improvement of roads, bridges, and other priority transportation projects in Missouri. ✓ 90% of the revenue will fund priority transportation projects, statewide, through the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). ✓ 5% will be given to counties and 5% given to cities for local transportation projects. ✓ All projects completed through MoDOT will be voted on by the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission and completion will be constitutionally guaranteed. ✓ This sales tax will only apply to non-essential items, specifically exempted are: groceries, gas, utilities, mortgage and car payments, healthcare, prescription drugs, education, and retirement savings. ✓ Creating the tax through a constitutional amendment prevents future politicians from diverting funds to non-transportation spending. In anticipation of the additional funding, MoDOT has even updated its project list. Failure to increase the sales tax will mean status quo when it comes to Missouri’s transportation infrastructure. For this reason it is critical Missourians vote “yes” on Constitutional Amendment 7 and help lawmakers direct much needed funds toward maintaining, and improving, statewide transportation systems.Tags: ballot, economy, Missouri, state government, transportation, vote
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Highway Fix Still Uncertain as USDOT Puts State Agencies on Notice
July 1st, 2014 | By: Infrastructure Report Card
The stakes just got raised even while it seems we are no closer to a funding fix. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx announced plans for slowing reimbursements to states from the traditional twice a day method to every other week, starting on August 1 due to the low balance in the Fund. The U.S. Department of Transportation cites on average that states will see a 28 percent drop in federal transportation dollars due to delayed payments. This piecemeal approach to funding federal highway projects may put many current projects on hold, slow down the advertisement of new projects, or even cancel proposed projects. Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee held a meeting last week to approve a necessary fix to the federal Highway Trust Fund (HTF) crisis, but it quickly devolved into an ideological tussle over two things: taxes and spending. The only thing that became clearer after the committee meeting was how far apart Democrats and Republicans are in their preferred solution to the ailing federal transportation program. Solutions spanned a list of items ranging from those that wanted to add more money for transportation, like raising the gas tax and establishing an infrastructure finance authority, to those that wanted to change parts of the current program, like eliminating bicycle infrastructure and allowing states to opt-out of the federal program. Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT) have pledged to try and navigate this divide and work together in order to reach agreement when Congress returns on July 7. The two sides could agree on less controversial ideas like changes regarding mortgage reporting and pension plans, and efforts to generate funds from those who owe federal taxes, and stave-off a fiscal crisis this year. ASCE is urging the public to visit FixTheTrustFund.org and tell members of Congress to stabilize the Highway Trust Fund and prevent a shutdown of federal highway and public transportation investments across the country.Tags: congress, gas tax, highway trust fund, transportation
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Pennsylvania Earns 7 Poor D Grades in New Report Card
June 25th, 2014 | By: Infrastructure Report Card
- Pennsylvania has the highest percentage of structurally deficient bridges in the country. Of the Commonwealth’s more than 22,000 bridges, nearly one in four are considered structurally deficient.
- Pennsylvania has the most combined sewer overflows (CSOs) of any state.
- The Commonwealth must invest $28 billion over the next 20 years to repair existing wastewater systems, meet clean water standards and build or expand existing systems to meet increasing demands
- Pennsylvania’s 1.3 traffic fatalities per 100 million miles of travel is significantly higher than the national average (1.1).
- KEEP UP THE MOMENTUM FOR BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE: In 2013, Pennsylvania’s officials showed leadership by passing a transportation package that will start putting the roads, bridges, and transit systems back into working order.
- AFFIRM PUBLIC SAFETY AS GOVERNMENT’S #1 JOB:Whether it’s repairs to bridges, ensuring safe drinking water, or keeping up on dam safety inspections, public safety must always be the first priority as leaders budget and plan for the future. Ensuring infrastructure is resilient and online 99.9% of the time will keep communities safe and the economy thriving.
- STOP WASTING MONEY BY WAITING: Of the 7 infrastructure categories with D grades, all of these deal with transportation and water systems, and much of the repairs and long-term funding are being short-changed. Waiting will only lead to larger issues that will disrupt lives and cost even more when the bill comes due. Pennsylvania must look at the full cost of decisions and then put savings to use.
Tags: Act-89, grades, momentum, Pennsylvania, report card, states, transportation, water
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New Congressional Proposal Offers Gas Tax Increase Tied to Inflation
June 18th, 2014 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
We saw some encouraging movement from the Hill today on transportation. Senators Bob Corker (R-TN) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) are floating a plan to increase the gas tax twice by increments of six cents, and then index the gas tax to inflation so it’s a sustainable revenue source. Here’s a statement from ASCE President Randall Over, P.E. : “The proposal issued today by Sens. Murphy and Corker to increase the federal gas tax as a way to provide needed long-term funding for the Highway Trust Fund is an encouraging step to improve our economy and raise the grades on the nation’s surface transportation infrastructure. “With the Highway Trust Fund expected to become insolvent in a matter of months, now is the time for action. The nation’s surface transportation challenges are too vast and the costs are too great for us to continue with the status-quo. “We applaud the bold leadership exhibited by Sens. Murphy and Corker for offering a meaningful proposal to help solve this problem, and look forward to working with them as this plan moves through the Senate.” To learn how you can get involved to fix the Highway Trust Fund visit ASCE’s new website FixtheTrustFund.org.Tags: #fixthetrustfund, Corker, gas tax, Murphy, statement, transportation
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