CTC outlines 10 principles for recovery plan

Promotes modern transportation

Steve Hawley, Feb 09, 09.

The Citizens’ Transportation Coalition, an all-volunteer grassroots transportation advocacy organization focused on the Houston region, has outlined 10 priorities for stimulus spending that would help create a 21st-century transportation system. Among other things, CTC says lawmakers and officials should:

Fix it first. Before building new roads, that will themselves have to be maintained, we should restore our crumbling highways, bridges and transit systems and protect the investments we have made in existing communities.

Select critically among “shovel-ready” projects. Some shovel-ready projects, like Houston METRO’s five new light rail lines will strengthen our region long term. However, many roadway projects in the “pipeline” like the Grand Parkway - which would carve a road through virtually uninhabited and environmentally-sensitive parts of the county - were birthed when gas was less than $1/gallon and will hurt our region. We cannot afford to squander scarce funds on projects of highly-speculative value that will deepen, rather than lessen, dependence on oil.

Build where the people are now. Focusing on existing activity centers - the economic engines of our country - will reduce “transaction costs” for economic activity.

Provide access for all. Our transportation system must provide safe and affordable access to jobs and neighborhoods for the 1 in 5 adult Texans who cannot drive. Invest in transit, bike paths, sidewalks, and other transportation alternatives that provide access for all, use energy more efficiently, and save Americans money.

Build livable centers. We must recognize the effect of transportation infrastructure on land use, and make it easier for people to live near where we work, shop, and play.

The rest of the list is available at the CTC website, and readers may discuss the recovery bill in the CTC forums.