All posts from the month of October 2009
San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Closure an Urgent Reminder to Rebuild America’s Crumbling Infrastructure
October 30, 2009By Stephen Lee Davis
| CONTACT: |
| Cosabeth Bullock 202-478-6128 |
| cbullock@mrss.com |
| Paula Chrin 202-478-6138 |
| pchrin@mrss.com |
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the implications of the indefinite closure of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge sunk in Friday, Americans nationwide were reminded of the urgent need to pass a new transportation law that emphasizes the rehabilitation of America’s crumbling roads, bridges and transit systems.
The crisis also highlights the critical need for transportation options. More than 280,000 vehicles cross the Bay Bridge every day and its closure has resulted in a scramble to accommodate commuters on Bay Area buses, subway lines and ferries. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), the area’s underground subway system, posted record passenger usage this week. As Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff noted Friday, “Thank goodness we had that transit option there.”
“The Bay Bridge closure truly validates California’s decision earlier this year to spend stimulus funding on repair, rather than expansion, of our roadways,” said Carli Paine, transportation program director for TransForm, a Bay Area group. “Implementing a ‘Fix It First’ policy at the federal level would bolster our state’s efforts to maintain and upgrade critical infrastructure by prioritizing and funding these projects.”
Congress could go a long way toward that goal by adopting the Critical Asset Investment Program contained in the current draft federal transportation bill. This program, drafted by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, would create a substantial, dedicated funding stream for maintaining roads and bridges, preventing states from diverting those funds to more politically popular highway expansion projects.
“Rebuilding America’s transportation system is not only needed to keep us safe, but it is an economic imperative as well,” said James Corless, director of Transportation for America. T4 America is working closely with its coalition partners, House Transportation Committee Chairman James Oberstar, Ranking Member John Mica, and members of Congress to ensure the next federal transportation bill prioritizes fixing existing infrastructure.
“Americans can’t afford to waste anymore time in traffic jams and detours because we haven’t made the proper investments in maintaining our infrastructure and providing the options that keep people from being stranded, whether by broken facilities or soaring gas prices,” said Corless.
As Congress Extend Current Transportation Law Another Six Weeks, Reform Becomes Ever More Urgent
October 30, 2009By Stephen Lee Davis
| CONTACT: |
| Cosabeth Bullock 202-478-6128 |
| cbullock@mrss.com |
| Paula Chrin 202-478-6138 |
| pchrin@mrss.com |
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congress this week again postponed action on the overdue rewrite of the federal transportation law, passing a continuing resolution set to expire on December 18. In response to this action, Transportation for America Director James Corless released the following statement:
“Congress has once again let a key deadline pass without tackling serious reform of America’s transportation system. With crumbling bridges and continuing traffic gridlock, communities across America cannot wait much longer for a new transportation bill.”
“In recent weeks several proposals have been advanced to fund infrastructure to assist with job creation. While Transportation forAmerica strongly believes that transportation investment is good for the economy, national investments must be coupled with real reform that expands transportation options, spends money more wisely and fixes existing infrastructure. Our large and diverse coalition cannot support spending more taxpayer money under the current federal system of outdated priorities and broken processes.”
“We commend House Transportation Committee Chairman James Oberstar for keeping transportation reform on the front-burner. He has laid out a responsible path toward reform and Congress ought to follow his lead and pass a long-term federal transportation bill that establishes a new vision for a 21st century transportation program that is smarter, cleaner and safer.”
Bay Area bridge shutdown puts transportation network in the spotlight
October 30, 2009By Sean Barry
Even in the San Francisco Bay Area, a renowned transit hub with higher than average rates of walking, biking and transit ridership, more than 280,000 vehicles cross the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge every day. It’s a critical artery connecting downtown San Francisco with the thousands of residents who live in Oakland and the surrounding suburbs.
It is thus understandable that panic ensued after a part snapped off in high winds and fell onto the roadway, resulting in a complete shutdown of the Bay Bridge early Tuesday. Thankfully, though at least two vehicles either ran into or hit the fallen part, no injuries resulted. As of this morning, the bridge remains closed without a date certain for re-opening.
The Bay Bridge was last closed down over Labor Day weekend, during which engineers discovered an unexpected crack. This structural flaw nearly delayed the bridge from reopening on-time, but crews received the needed materials in just enough time for the post-weekend morning commute.
It was one of those last minute repair pieces that broke off Tuesday, although engineers could not say whether the Labor Day rush had anything to do with it. Heavy winds are another potential culprit — hardly an uncommon occurrence in the Bay Area, however.
Once the bridge was closed, the immediate focus shifted to the Wednesday morning commute. Prognosticators were predicting mass chaos and never-ending gridlock as far as the eye could see on Wednesday morning.
Officials with the BART subway system arranged for extra train cars and personnel to accommodate the expected surge in passengers, leading to a record day of ridership that crushed the previous high water mark. Ferry agencies across the Bay ramped up service and Amtrak is providing a shuttle. MUNI, AC Transit, and other local agencies also stepped up rates of service and frequency to meet the demand.
| “When the Bay Bridge closed we saw a 49 percent spike in transit use. Thank goodness we had that transit option there.” |
| - Federal Transit Adminstration Administrator Peter Rogoff today at the Rail~Volution Conference |
Despite similar predictions of chaos and gridlock, commuters, transit agencies and officials effectively coped with the collapse of a major overpass near the Bay Bridge in April 2007. Many drivers quickly developed alternate routes or shifted their schedule, BART was effective at expanding capacity and major thoroughfares were crowded, but not gridlocked.
Media accounts accounts for this week indicate Bay Area officials have handled the shutdown relatively smoothly, especially considering how many vehicles use this bridge every day. BART trains were filled to capacity and the Richmond-San Rafael and San Mateo-Hayward bridges — both adjacent to the Bay Bridge — were jammed with cars but still moving, albeit at a sluggish pace.
As far as we can tell, California Department of Transportation officials have been responsive and responsible about safety and structural integrity. It is important they be given the time to get this right.
But even if the time crunch during Labor Day weekend did not contribute to the problem, it should be cause for concern. In too many transportation projects, safety is shelved in favor of speed and grandeur. Part of the Bay Area’s ability to cope is the investment they’ve made in a variety of transportation options and modes. Which begs the question, how would metropolitan areas that lack these alternatives fare if a similar incident occurred?
Diversity of options isn’t just about cutting emissions or reducing fuel consumption. A complete network is one that can continue functioning when a few parts go down. A city dependent completely on cars and interstates (or 1 or 2 transit lines) is a vulnerable city.
Across America, children, seniors, the disabled and people who do not or cannot drive are at risk due to unsafe streets and crumbling sidewalks. We cannot afford to spend untold billions on new projects if we cannot keep old ones from crumbling. Including strong “fix-it first” language in the transportation bill re-authorization would ensure that existing roads and bridges get the upgrades they need to keep commuters and all users safe.
In addition, the Critical Asset Investment Program proposed in Chairman Oberstar’s transportation bill would create a substantial, dedicated funding stream for maintaining roads and bridges, preventing states from diverting those funds to more political popular highway expansion projects. This program would also require transit agencies to show how they are maintaining their systems and keeping them in “a state of good repair.”
The Bay Area will get through this. But the incident is a reminder that transportation policy cannot be a piecemeal, crisis-to-crisis endeavor.
Today’s Headlines – 10/30/09
October 30, 2009By Transportation for America
As of early this morning, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge remains closed with no indication of a re-opening date. (CNN)
Urban revitalization and investment offers great potential for stimulus funds, according to a Philadelphia Inquirer commentary. (Inquirer)
New Yorkers have high hopes for new Metropolitan Transportation Authority chairman Jay Walder as they face rising fares and longer wait-times. (NYT)
General Motors’ new CEO called the Treasury Department’s recent compensation cuts “tough” but “fair.” (Detroit News)
And, the furthest distance from one American McDonald’s to another: 107 miles, and the gap is located in sparse South Dakota. (Slate)
Today’s Headlines – 10/29/09
October 29, 2009By Transportation for America
The indefinite closing of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge due to a fallen rod is cause for concern about long-term safety. (NYT)
Small behavioral changes like car-pooling and driving slower on highways could reduce national greenhouse gas emissions by 8 percent with little to no effect on quality of life. (Chronicle)
One Baltimore to Washington commuter scrapped his Toyota Camry for a 1968 Porsche, which he keeps in the garage while taking public transit to work. (Slate)
New York City transit officials are looking across the pond to London for technological inspiration, but what they will actually adopt is up in the air. (City Room)
Amtrak may operate at a loss on some of its rail lines, but highways do not turn a profit either. (Yglesias)
And, University of Michigan competitors placed third in solar car race in Australia this week. (Green, Inc)
Today’s Headlines – 10/28/09
October 28, 2009By Transportation for America
A Wall Street Journal editor chronicles his move from suburban commuter to Metro-riding, car-free urban dweller. (WSJ)
With the potential for 1.7 million new residents by 2040, Seattle metropolitan area officials are grappling with how to make transit-oriented development work. (Post-Intelligencer)
A good climate bill can help makes cities greener and more livable, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter testified to the Senate today. (Streetsblog)
Moderate and coal-state Democrats have warmed up to California Senator Barbara Boxer’s’ approach to climate change. (Politico)
But Wyoming’s Democratic Governor says energy efficiency for buildings and appliances should be handled locally rather than at the federal level. (NYT)
And Senator Jim Inhofe, the Oklahoma Republican who has called global warming “the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people” is facing, as Dana Milibank put it, “a hostile climate.” (WP)
Today’s Headlines – 10/27/09
October 27, 2009By Transportation for America
Thirty-seven clean energy projects, many in the transportation sector, were recipients of a $150 million reward from the U.S. Department of Energy. (WSJ)
The Obama administration is ramping up efforts in support of the Senate climate bill, sending high-ranking officials like Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood as hearing kick-off for the landmark legislation. (NYT)
The bill triples the share of allowances toward public transit compared to legislation passed in the House, a significant boost. (Streetsblog)
Making needed investments in infrastructure is a public safety issue, writes the president of the American Society of Civil Engineers in the Houston Chronicle. (Chronicle)
And, Nebraska is considering a gas tax increase or vehicle-miles-traveled tax to pay for new highway funding. (Lincoln Journal-Star)
Groundbreaking Senate Climate Bill Will Promote Clean Transportation and Expanded Travel Options
October 26, 2009By Stephen Lee Davis
| CONTACT: David Goldberg 202-412-7930 david.goldberg@T4America.org |
Washington, DC — The latest version of the Senate climate-protection bill put forth by U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, would provide significant resources and incentives to communities to plan and build cleaner, more convenient travel and living options.
The Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S. 1733) would set aside an average of 2.4 percent of revenues generated by the Act each year to help states and metropolitan areas reduce greenhouse gas emissions as they grow and change in the years to come. Half of the funds would support a competitive grants program for transportation projects and smart growth strategies that help reduce emissions and the planning needed to better account for and curb emissions. The other half would support the expansion of public transportation.
“That the Senate mark more than doubles the amount the House bill would dedicate to clean transportation options represents major progress for communities across America,” said Geoff Anderson, president of Smart Growth America and co-chair of the Transportation for America coalition. “Senators Boxer and John Kerry (D-MA) the primary authors, deserve enormous credit for recognizing the role that reduced transportation emissions must play, and for including measures that will help create affordable options as oil supplies tighten and fuel prices rise in the years ahead.”
The Act substantially incorporates language from a separate bill known as CLEAN-TEA, sponsored by Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) and Arlen Specter (D-PA) and co-sponsored by senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Bill Nelson (D-FL). The CLEAN-TEA sponsors’ support was critical in securing meaningful transportation provisions in the Senate bill.
“Transportation contributes nearly one-third of the total annual climate-harming emissions in the U.S., and has to be a key part of the solution,” said James Corless, director of Transportation for America. “S. 1733 contains common-sense policies and funding that promise cleaner, safer and more affordable transportation options for all Americans, and will help create green jobs. As the bill moves through the Senate and the understanding of the importance of clean transportation grows, our coalition hopes to see a funding level closer to 5 percent of revenues. We urge members of the Senate to unite behind this essential legislation.”
###
(Joint release by Transportation for America and Smart Growth America.)
SMART GROWTH AMERICA is a coalition of national, state and local organizations working to improve the ways we plan and build the towns, cities and metro areas we call home. The coalition includes many of the best-known national organizations advocating on behalf of historic preservation, the environment, farmland and open space preservation, neighborhood revitalization and more. www.smartgrowthamerica.org
Senate committee boosts funding for clean transportation in the climate bill
October 26, 2009By Stephen Lee Davis
| Please thank your senators for moving forward on this landmark bill and ask them to continue to support strong transportation measures in the climate bill. |
The long-awaited allocations in the Senate climate bill were released over the weekend, and the news is good for increasing access to cleaner transportation options. Late Friday evening, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee released the final numbers on where the revenues raised under a cap-and-trade climate bill would be directed.
The Senate nearly triples the funding for clean, sustainable transportation over the House climate bill, which only set aside an optional one percent of funding. (Streetsblog Capitol Hill has some details on the allocations.)
After hearing from advocates and their colleagues in the Senate, the authors of the Senate climate bill agreed to include a higher, guaranteed level of funding (roughly 2.4% over the life of the bill) for clean transportation options, such as public transportation, affordable neighborhoods around transit stops, vanpooling and streets safe for walking and biking.
We want to let the Senate know, especially those committee members, that we appreciate their leadership on this issue and we want them to defend that funding as the bill moves through other Senate committees. There is still a long road ahead for the climate bill and the Senate needs to know you will support their efforts to continue fighting for more money for clean transportation.
Take a moment to thank senators for making clean transportation part of the climate bill — and tell them to defend that money over the coming weeks.
Transportation for America is happy for the strong transportation provisions, but we are not stopping at 2.4%. We’re going to continue asking the Senate to increase that amount as the bill moves forward. It only makes sense — transportation pollution is responsible for nearly one-third of our national greenhouse gas emissions.
We applaud Sen. Barbara Boxer and the rest of the Senate EPW Committee for this strong statement that funding clean transportation options is a vital part of reducing our emissions.
Today’s Headlines – 10/23/09
October 23, 2009By Transportation for America
Suburban, single-famlily homes have been among the biggest beneficiaries of federal efforts to curtail foreclosure, forcing the question: are we bailing out sprawl? (TNR)
The Washington metro could soon be featured on Google Transit, a leap most major U.S. transit systems have already made. (Examiner)
Streetsblog points out that charges of elitism against transportation reformers are unfounded, judging by the millions who would benefit from increased transit choices. (Streetsblog)
Indiana is considering a statewide referendum to fund mass transit. (IndyStar)
The San Francisco Bay Area could consolidate its 28 transit agencies. (Chronicle)
And, New York’s new transit chief is eying British innovations as he aims to improves his city’s technology. (AMNY)
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