News

Wisconsin Statewide Multi-modal Improvement Program (SMIP) – Under SAFETEA-LU, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) receives federal funding for the Transportation Enhancements (TE) Program. This program is designed to fund projects that increase multi-modal transportation alternatives and enhance communities and the environment. The new Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program and TE are jointly managed under SMIP.

WisDOT is preparing for another round of applications for 2009-2011. Applications are due Friday, April 18th. Click here for more information. 

Brookings Report – A new report from the Brookings Institute entitled America’s Infrastructure: Ramping Up or Crashing Down finds that structural failures, economic competitiveness, quality of life and fears of government mismanagement of public funds are driving a renewed focus on U.S infrastructure.

Click here to download the complete report.

Transportation and Global Warming – In a first study of its kind to specifically measure the impact of transportation on greenhouse gas emissions, the Center for International Climate and Environmental Research in Oslo, Norway finds that 15 percent of manmade carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere comes from cars, trucks, airports, trains, and ships. The remaining 85% comes from industry, buildings and agriculture.

Within the transportation sector, road transportation (cars, buses and trucks) contribute the most greenhouse gases.

Click here to read the study. 

Arizona – Phoenix area business leaders are joining with Governor Janet Napolitano in an effort to get a transportation tax increase on the ballot this year. The group of business and corporate interests called the Time Coalition fears traffic congestion will stifle economic growth unless a long-term revenue stream is enacted.

According to a spokesperson for Governor Napolitano, transportation is a top priority for the governor this year. The Arizona Department of Transportation is expected to release a list of projects that would be funded by the proposed tax increase in March.

Georgia – The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) lacks the expertise to negotiate multi-billion deals with contractors on toll road projects according to new commissioner Gena Abrahamson. The program which invites private companies to invest in public toll roads is being reviewed as part of Abraham’s wholesale evaluation of GDOT. Abraham is evaluating which if any of the projects should go forward.

“I laid the question out on the table,” Abraham said. “Some of these proposals came to us unsolicited. So the question is, if we had a clean slate, what would we really want to do at GDOT?...The reality of it is GDOT should be driving the train about what are the right steps for the state.”

Illinois – The state legislature passed and the governor signed legislation authorizing the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) to increase the sales tax in Chicago and the suburbs to bail out Chicago’s cash-strapped mass transit system.  Specifically, the RTA is given the authority to increase the sales tax in Cook County by one quarter of one percent.  In DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will Counties, the sales tax rate is increased a half percent. In the collar counties – where a half percent rate increase is authorized – the legislation provides that half of the tax receipts are to be distributed to the RTA and half are to be distributed to the county for use for transportation or public safety needs.

The funding plan also called on the Chicago City Council to increase the real-estate transfer tax to provide more money to help cover Chicago Transit Authority employee pension and health costs. The council grudgingly approved by a 41-6 vote an increase in Chicago's real-estate transfer tax from $7.50 per $1,000 of sale price to $10.50 beginning April 1.

Oklahoma – An infusion of general fund revenue for highways and bridges seems to be vanishing as a softening economy drives 2008 estimated income tax revenue to fall below expectations.

In 2006, legislation was enacted that would appropriate $50 million more per year for road and bridge improvements if there is at least 3% growth in revenue. It is doubtful that threshold will be met when revenue projections are finalized next month, and the current year appropriation may be closer to $17.5 million. If the threshold is not met for several years up to a $100 million may be lost to the road and bridge programs.

Tennessee – Interstate 40 in Tennessee is the best road in the nation for the second year in a row according to a poll of truck drivers. Tennessee also ranked third for best overall roads.

The poll conducted by a trucking industry magazine included opinions about the pavement quality and smoothness, road markings and construction detours of the roadways.

West Virginia – West Virginia Secretary Paul Maddox requested the legislature find a new revenue stream just to help the West Virginia Department of Transportation maintain the department’s workforce and to finance a new computer system.

A lack of funding in recent years has reduced the workforce and the upcoming retirement of baby boomers will further exacerbate the issue. Additional funding would help maintain the department’s ability to provide expected services.

Many lawmakers have expressed support for the department. However, no lawmaker has offered a potential solution.