Comments on: Washington Hesitates on the Next Transportation Bill

By: Rockfish

Rockfish — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:51:36 +0000

Called it:
“Oberstar lashed out at a suggestion from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that Congress should hold off on action so that the expected vote on raising gas taxes would be delayed until after the midterm congressional elections.

“We don’t have time [to wait] for eighteen months,” Oberstar said.”

By: Tabitha

Tabitha — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:45:56 +0000

I see the obstacles, but I don’t know if I see many of those obstacles changing over the next year and a half. I suppose Rockfish has a point with the next election, but I’m willing to bank on what those results will show. I suppose economic situations could pick up such that people would be more open to bringing up the gas tax, but I really don’t think a greater tax would be popular even with a massive upturn, perhaps even less so.

Since a lot of mass transit systems are experiencing major cuts, I suppose it’s possible that the next year and a half could highlight the strife caused by poor transportation and make capital improvement a personal issue for more people…but likely not to the people with the most power. There might be more opportunity for rhetoric that claims transit is a failing system by its own virtue, or that operational funds won’t support new infrastructure once its built. I obviously don’t have a firm grasp on all the factors to be considered, but if I’m right that we’re likely to see the same results in 18 months, with necessary improvements falling by the wayside in the meantime, delaying the bill doesn’t sound productive.

By: Dekoracje Okien

Dekoracje Okien — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:34:48 +0000

People don’t like change. And the new transportation bill would definitely annoy some people. It’s not surprising that they’re a little hesitant with it.

By: BLambert

BLambert — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:17:30 +0000

Alon – like it or not we still need an infrastructure between now and the indeterminate point in the future where we have a working passenger rail system. And, unfortunately, that means roads.

Honestly, if you want to see near-term rail investment reduce the need to fund roads, you could do worse than to demand investment in freight rail infrastructure, such as the I-81 rail corridor upgrade, which would cost less than upgrading I-81 itself and run for half again as many miles, but still provide freight capacity.

And that’s a point that I don’t see passenger rail proponents hammering with nearly the regularity that it should be: improvements to the passenger rail infrastructure are also improvements to the freight rail infrastructure, which is a direct benefit to everyone.

By: Alon Levy

Alon Levy — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:32:49 +0000

The act provides for $330 billion for roads over 6 years. That’s hardly a cause for celebration.

By: Adam

Adam — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:12:47 +0000

Here you go,

It’s in the executive summary on the T&I website (pdf).

LINK

Here’s the quote on page 4,

In addition to this $450 billion investment, the Act provides $50 billion over six years to develop 11 authorized high-speed rail corridors linking major metropolitan regions in the United States. The high-speed rail initiative will provide greater consideration for projects that: encourage intermodal connectivity; produce energy, environmental, and other public
benefits; create new jobs; and leverage contributions from state and private sources.

By: Adam

Adam — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:58:43 +0000

I can post the link Alon but it’s behind a firewall. If you are at a .edu address it will show (if your school’s library subscribes to national journal).

Here was the link location

LINK

By: Sean

Sean — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:47:14 +0000

The Senate sucks. That body is where good bills go to die.

Obama’s policies are hardly progressive. Don’t let the GOP’s exhortations and whining convince you otherwise.

By: Alon Levy

Alon Levy — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:59:49 +0000

Adam, do you have a link now? I peeked at Congress Daily but found nothing about HSR.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:14:59 +0000

If those HSR figures are accurate, it makes me salivate.