Members of the Bipartisan Policy Center's National Transportation Policy Project Call for New Approach to Transportation Funding

/PRNewswire/ -- A new report released today, authored by two members of the Bipartisan Policy Center's (BPC) National Transportation Policy Project, called on the Administration and Congress to change their approach to transportation policy saying that "the nation can no longer afford to support poorly targeted investments when the needs are so great and public resources are so constrained." The report authors, Douglas Holtz-Eakin and Martin Wachs, spoke at a press conference to release the report in Washington, D.C.

"The future of transportation policy is central to economic policy. Despite what has long been argued, investments in transportation infrastructure are not guaranteed to create jobs and simultaneously grow the economy. We must ruthlessly focus on economic growth, immediately and in the future," said Dr. Holtz-Eakin. "The need for investment is clear: our roads are deteriorating and our transportation systems are not equipped to handle increasing capacity. Still, we cannot devote additional dollars, much less borrowed dollars, to transportation programs that provide an uncertain number of jobs and no lasting economic benefit."

The report, Strengthening Connections Between Transportation Investments and Economic Growth, outlines three specific policy changes the Administration and Congress can make to ensure that scarce public dollars are spent wisely and, at the same time, create employment opportunities in the short-term and contribute to the nation's economic recovery in the long-term.

First, the report recommends that no new funds be allocated to existing transportation programs if they provide questionable job-creation, unclear long-term benefits or if the programs are solely an effort to increase short-term employment. Second, investments should be directed to programs that are both "shovel-ready" and provide long-term benefits. These investments can help ease unemployment while also building the nation's economic future. Finally, federal transportation investments should not be constrained by the silos and restrictions that dominate the federal government's existing surface transportation program. "Instead of focusing on how the money is spent – that is, on whether funds go to operations versus capital or to highway versus transit – the focus must shift to the outcomes being achieved with a particular expenditure," said the report. "If the most pressing outcomes at this point in time relate to job creation and long-term economic recovery, both of those outcomes should drive decisions about how to allocate federal resources and measure progress."

"In addition to addressing long-term transportation-related objectives including safety, energy independence, and environmental sustainability, Congress should consider investments that result in higher productivity," said Dr. Wachs. "These investments will improve economic well-being by increasing connectivity and accessibility to jobs while reducing congestion. Ideally, there is an approach to transportation investment that advances both goals - enduring productivity gains and immediate job creation. To do this, there must be flexibility within the system to pursue the highest returns on spending."

The BPC's National Transportation Policy Project is a group dedicated to reforming federal surface transportation policy in a way that ensures federal investments are held accountable for demonstrating results toward the achievement of national goals. Its members include former Republican and Democratic members of Congress, local-elected officials, business and civic leaders, and transportation stakeholders and experts. The project released its blueprint for surface transportation reform, Performance Driven: A New Vision for U.S. Transportation Policy, in June 2009.

"We have repeatedly argued that not all transportation investments are equally effective, and that future transportation spending must be driven by considerations of economic merit and guided by clearly articulated federal goals, including economic growth, metropolitan accessibility, environmental protection and energy security, and safety," said JayEtta Hecker, Director of Transportation Advocacy at the BPC. "The report released today emphasizes the need for long-term returns rather than just short-term gains."

Read the full report at http://bipartisanpolicy.org/library/research/transportation-investments.

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Norfolk Southern's Crescent Corridor Has Wide Bipartisan Support on Capitol Hill

/PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of the critical importance freight rail transportation offers shippers throughout the U.S., Norfolk Southern's (NYSE:NSC) Crescent Corridor program has been endorsed by 60 legislators on Capitol Hill as 2010 begins.

"Norfolk Southern's Crescent Corridor program comes at a critical time for our nation's economy, environment, and transportation infrastructure," said NS CEO Wick Moorman. "The Crescent Corridor will stimulate job growth, economic development, and local tax revenues, while delivering substantial public benefits for communities and shippers. We are grateful for the wide bipartisan support the Crescent Corridor is receiving on Capitol Hill."

Members of the U.S. Congress supporting the Crescent Corridor are:

Alabama: Sens. Shelby and Sessions. Reps. Rogers, Aderholt, Griffith, Bachus, and Davis.

Delaware: Sens. Carper and Kaufman. Rep. Castle.

Georgia: Sens. Chambliss and Isakson. Reps. Westmoreland, Johnson, Deal, Gingrey, and Scott.

Maryland: Rep. Bartlett.

Mississippi: Sens. Cochran and Wicker. Reps. Childers and Harper.

New Jersey: Reps. LoBiondo, Garrett, Lance, Pascrell, Payne, Rothman and Sires.

North Carolina: Sens. Burr and Hagan. Rep. Myrick.

Pennsylvania: Sens. Specter and Casey. Reps. Brady, Fattah, Gerlach, Murphy, Shuster, Schwartz, Dent, Holden, and Platts.

Tennessee: Sens. Alexander and Corker. Reps. Roe, Duncan, Wamp, Gordon, Davis, and Cohen.

Virginia: Sens. Webb and Warner. Reps. Wittman, Nye, Scott, Perriello, Goodlatte, and Boucher.

West Virginia: Rep. Capito.

The Crescent Corridor is an existing 2,500-mile rail network supporting the supply chain from Memphis and New Orleans to New Jersey designed to handle more rail freight traffic faster and more reliably, creating or benefiting some 73,000 jobs by 2030, and producing these estimated annual benefits:

-- $326 million in tax revenues to states and communities
-- 1.3 million long-haul trucks diverted from interstates
-- $146 million in accident avoidance savings
-- 1.9 million tons in CO2 reduction
-- $575 million in congestion savings
-- $92 million in highway maintenance savings
-- 169 million gallons in fuel savings


This past September, lead state Pennsylvania, joined by Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia, applied for federal stimulus money under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Program. The application seeks $300 million in support of new independent intermodal facilities at Memphis, Birmingham, and Franklin County, Pa.; and the expansion of intermodal terminals in Harrisburg and Philadelphia. Track improvements in the five partner states will include 10 passing tracks, 557 individual speed improvements, and 393 miles of track improved with upgraded rail.

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New Federal Transportation Bill Connects Needed Reforms to Fighting Climate Change

/PRNewswire/ -- Implementing the goals and reforms of the $450 billion transportation reauthorization bill, if accompanied by real accountability and performance measures, will move America's transportation system in a direction that supports our national economic, energy, and environmental goals, according to Environmental Defense Fund.

The bill, formally called The Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009, was introduced today by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN), and cosponsored by the top ranking GOP member on the Committee John Mica (R-FL), Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and the top ranking GOP member of the Subcommittee John Duncan (R-TN).

"Chairman Oberstar, Chairman DeFazio, and Ranking Members Mica and Duncan have put forward a clear vision for transportation policy that shines a spotlight on both environmental and economic sustainability," said Environmental Defense Fund's Climate and Infrastructure Policy Director Colin Peppard. "Their vision seeks to reduce the substantial greenhouse gas pollution produced by the transportation sector, supporting ongoing efforts to fight climate change by capping carbon emissions."

"However, more work needs to be done to ensure that these forward-thinking goals are fully supported by the policies, programs, and funding laid out in this critical piece of legislation," concluded Peppard. "Questions remain as to whether state and local governments will truly be held accountable for delivering better transportation, economic, and environmental performance. Environmental Defense Fund is looking forward to working with the leadership and members of the Transportation Committee to craft a bill that will yield the concrete results and performance that justify an increased investment of taxpayer dollars in our nation's transportation infrastructure."

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Stimulus Bill Conferees Urged to Adopt Best Transportation Provisions in Senate and House Bills

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The stimulus bill conferees should adopt the best transportation provisions in the Senate and House bills, according to an adviser to the U.S. Transportation Department who is Transportation Director for Environmental Defense Fund.

The Senate bill provides $2 billion for high-speed rail and $1.1 billion for intercity rail, including Amtrak. It also includes a $5.5 billion competitive grant program for road, transit, rail and port projects. The Senate bill also ensures that local governments would get at least 40 percent of "formula" highway funding under the Surface Transportation Program, which would ensure that transportation dollars address the most pressing local needs.

"This stimulus spending could yield benefits that will last for generations," said Michael Replogle, a civil engineer, a member of the Federal Advisory Committee on Intelligent Transportation Systems for the U.S. Department of Transportation, and Transportation Director for Environmental Defense Fund. "The key to realizing this economic potential is for states and local governments to focus on maintaining existing road and bridges and investing in projects that will increase America's energy independence. Public officials must make their spending plans totally transparent as soon as possible, so taxpayers can check to ensure that these billions of dollars are being spent wisely."

The House bill provides $12 billion in transit funding, including $2.5 billion in funding for new projects and $2 billion to modernize existing subways, light rail, and similar facilities.

"Expanding transit options and investing in smart traffic management reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming and create more jobs than building new roads," concluded Replogle.

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