LaHood: US needs ‘forward-looking’ transportation bill

Expects new bill in 2010

Steve Hawley, Jan 15, 10.

US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called on Congress to pass a “comprehensive, forward-looking” federal transportation bill, according to TheTrucker.com. The current transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU, expired last year but was extended by Congress. The new bill, once passed, would provide federal transportation funding for the next six years.

In a speech, LaHood said, “We need to empower regional and local transportation authorities to invest in the kinds of projects that will spur economic growth, enhance livability, and preserve the qualities that make each area special. To achieve our priorities, we’ll pursue more flexible partnerships with states, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, transportation agencies and local communities. And we’ll continue to break down our ‘stovepipe’ mentality so we can focus on investing our tax dollars in projects that really matter.”

LaHood said that the US still needs additional transportation investments besides the stimulus bill and the upcoming jobs bill. US Rep. James Oberstar of Minnesota, who chairs the House Transportation Committee, proposed a significantly reformed transportation bill last summer to replace SAFETEA-LU, but with Congress distracted by healthcare reform, neither house acted on the bill. Oberstar’s $500 billion proposal would have slightly increased the ratio of transit to highway dollars, in addition to providing $50 billion for high-speed rail projects.

According to the Bond Buyer, the Obama administration expects the final transportation bill to cost between $400 and $500 billion, and Secretary LaHood thinks the bill will be passed before the end of 2010.

In the same speech, LaHood announced sweeping changes to the Federal Transit Administration funding process, making it easier for transit projects to receive funding. Under the old system, transit projects were evaluated mainly on their cost-effectiveness, but the new rules will weight cost-effectiveness equally with economic development, mobility improvements, environmental benefits, operating efficiencies, and land use.