T4America Blog

T4America statement on the Administration’s proposal for reauthorizing the federal transportation program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – James Corless, director of Transportation for America, issued this statement in response to the release today of the Obama Administration’s proposal for reauthorizing the transportation program, MAP-21, which expires September 30:

“MAP-21 marked the beginning of a much-needed process to reform and improve our transportation system, but it was only a first step. The Administration’s proposal advances the discussion by offering additional reforms that serve as a good starting point for debate in Congress.

One key, needed reform is a turn away from the siloed programs that drive communities to choose one mode or another, and toward a system of multimodal funding that allows local communities to develop the best solution to the transportation challenges they face. The proposal also builds on efforts to develop merit-based grants and offer incentives for innovation, an important role for the federal program to play.

We are disappointed the Administration did not include a specific proposal to fix our nation’s transportation deficit, either in the short or long-term.

The Administration has chosen a critical moment to release its first detailed proposal for the renewal of our beleaguered transportation program. As our forthcoming report, The End of the Road? The Looming Fiscal Disaster for Transportation, makes clear, communities around the country are bracing for a serious blow this fall when the Highway Trust Fund is exhausted and their expected funding evaporates. At the same time, the approaching expiration of MAP-21 offers an opportunity to reinvigorate the program and provide communities the resources their economies need.

We commend the Administration on providing a detailed set of policy proposals.

We look forward to similar detail on a stable, ongoing funding source, both from the Administration and leaders in Congress.”