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News & Headlines Archives for Sept. Oct. Nov. 2008
Mobility 21 Supports the Completion of the SR 241 Toll Road MORE
Mobility 21 is featured in the November edition of Corridors, a bi-monthly newsletter published by the Inland Empire Chapter of Women’s Transportation Seminar. This publication provides news about chapter programs and other items of interest to women and men in the transportation field. Read! (PDF)
Comprehensive Study on Traffic Congestion in Urban Los Angeles Suggests Ways to Improve Traffic --(Oct. 2, 2008) The RAND Corporation released a study on L.A.’s traffic patterns and a list of recommendations for consideration in Los Angeles. Click here to read the press release and a link to the Daily News’ coverage of the study.
Senate Hearing lays out “MAP” for Transportation Authorization
Last-Ditch Effort to Avoid Highway Trust Fund Insolvency Signed by President Bush
Mobility 21 Works to Move SB 974 Forward
Spotlight on SB 375
Governor signs SB 375: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed, Sept. 30, SB 375, the senate bill authored by Senator Darrell Steinberg (D-Sac), that proposes to link transportation funding to urban planning and inform regulations regarding greenhouse gas reduction and land-use decisions. The Governor’s signing message, which provides relevant information, is provided to Mobility 21 by Billie C. Greer, Director, Los Angeles Office, Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Street Smart: September issue of the San Bernardino Associated Government (SANBAG)Board of Directors publication welcomes Mobility 21 Coalition Executive Director Marnie O'Brien Primmer (PDF)
Mobility 21 Supports the Completion of the SR 241 Toll Road
(Sept. 17, 2008) The next salvo in the debate over the completion of the last leg of the SR 241 toll road in range County is set to begin. The US Department of Commerce will hold a hearing at the Del Mar Fairgrounds September 22, 2008. Mobility 21 has submitted a request to speak in favor of completing this essential transportation project.
The $875 million project, which has been on Orange County's Master Plan of Arterial Highways since 1981, would extend the 241 south from its current end at Oso Parkway to the I-5 near San Clemente. Foothill-South,as the route is commonly known, would complete Orange County's 67-mile toll road system, which comprises of the Foothill (241) Toll Road, the Eastern (241, 261, and 133), and San Joaquin Hills (73) Toll Roads.
Controversy surrounding the project centers on the impacts to a world renowned surfing spot, Trestles, as well as other environmental concerns. The project has broad-based support and the locally preferred alternative, the best of 38 routes considered, is the result of nearly two decades of planning throughout which the TCA has worked closely with both stakeholders and the public.
Earlier this year, the California Coastal Commission, at a 14-hour hearing attending by thousands, denied approval of the project leading the agency to appeal this decision to the US Secretary of Commerce. The next hearing is a critical step in the ultimate completion of the important project which will relieve traffic on the heavily traveled I-5 route between San Diego and Orange County. Should the Foothill-South project fail to be approved Southern California may be in danger of non-attainment for air quality purposes jeopardizing our ability to receive federal funding for all transportation projects in the region. Other alternatives to reducing congestion will therefore need to be implemented, including widening the I-5 at a massive cost to taxpayers with many more impacts to property owners.
Senate Hearing lays out “MAP” for Transportation Authorization
(Sept. 17, 2008) Mobility 21 was at the forefront of a recent United States Senate Environmental and Public Works (EPW) Committee hearing. The Senate EPW committee, led by California Senator Barbara Boxer, is responsible for drafting key infrastructure legislation, and will spearhead the development of next year’s federal transportation authorizing legislation. The hearing represents the opening round of information-gathering to be conducted by federal legislators and their staff. The next authorizing legislation, which insiders are touting as a departure from previous bills in several key ways, is dubbed Moving Ahead for Progress or “MAP 21”.
Held September 4, 2008 in Los Angeles, testimony included remarks from seven of Mobility 21’s key partners: the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Orange County Transportation Authority, Riverside County Transportation Commission, San Bernardino Association of Governments, Southern California Association of Governments, and Ventura County Transportation Commission.
Boxer outlined seven guiding principles for the legislation:
1. Maintaining our national highway system
2. Efficiently moving people and goods
3. Improving safety on our transportation system in both conditions and design
4. Reducing Congestion
5. Sustainable Funding
6. Consolidating Federal Programs
7. Establishing Funding and Performance Criteria
A common theme of testimony presented was the need for increased investment in our transportation infrastructure on several key levels: highways, public transit, and a separate fund for goods movement. With an expected population increase in the Southern California region of six million over the next decade accompanied by a projected increase in the vehicle miles traveled from the current 22 million miles to 48 million miles annually, increased investment in our decaying transportation systems is critical. Comments focused on the need to reform the existing federal investment strategy and reduce the number of federal programs in place to eliminate red tape and bring projects to
Top Southern California requests included:
- Increased federal investment in goods movement via the creation of a separate goods movement trust fund.
- Protect and enhance CMAQ: increase the authorized funding for this key program that enables our metropolitan areas to address air quality.
- Increase funding for public transit through a more robust New Starts program
- Revise criteria for existing federal programs that currently shut out California from over $1.7 billion in funding.
- Focus federal investment in performance-based projects, holding recipients of federal funds accountable for results.
- Double the percentage of federal investment from 20% to 40%.
Streamline the environmental process and continue Caltrans’ NEPA delegation authority.
Last-Ditch Effort to Avoid Highway Trust Fund Insolvency Signed by President Bush
(Sept. 17, 2008) A key piece of legislation was signed by President Bush on Monday, breaking a summer-long stalemate over the ailing Federal Highway Trust Fund (HTF). United States Department of Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced September 5 that the HTF will run out of funds in the next few weeks, months earlier than anticipated. The announcement prompted the Administration to reverse its opposition to an interim $8 billion HTF fix and spurred action in the Senate, leading to passage.
A bankrupt HTF will greatly impact FHWA’s ability to issue reimbursements to state departments of transportation. Disbursements will be made to states on a pro-rated percentage of their outstanding reimbursement claims based on the amount of cash on-hand in the Highway Account on the day the reimbursements are made.
Secretary Peters therefore reversed her position on the HTF fix, and recommended to the White House that the president sign H.R. 6532, introduced by Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel (D-NY) and passed by the House on July 23, which would transfer $8.017 billion from the general fund to the HTF. HR 6532 passed the Senate on September 10. The president signed the urgent legislation September 15. The fix is only temporary, without comprehensive reform and a solid transportation bill passed by Congress in the next legislative session, we will be right back here for another patch to the HTF come September 2009.
Mobility 21 Works to Move SB 974 Forward
(Sept. 17, 2008) SB 974, authored by Senator Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) would levy a $30 fee per loaded twenty-foot equivalent (TEU) container on goods processed through the ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Oakland to address transportation congestion and air quality impacts related to goods movement. SB 974 would provide a revenue source for much-needed grade separation projects in the Southern California counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino, which serve as a major gateway for our nation’s trade.
Currently, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway mainline between Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties carries an estimated 70 daily freight trains; the Union Pacific Railway line caries an average 85 trains daily. By 2025, these lines will carry an estimated 320 daily freight trains, and over $4.3 billion in grade separation projects have been identified regionally to address freight train volume. SB 974 is a step in the right direction in terms of addressing the tremendous impacts goods movement places upon our communities.
Throughout this legislative session, Mobility 21’s members have worked cooperatively and diligently to ensure Southern California receives a funding plan which accurately reflects the impact of goods movement activity for the region. Furthermore, stakeholders have worked closely with Senator Lowenthal to develop a list of eligible projects which provides the maximum public benefit while maintaining the integrity of a fee levied on TEU containers as opposed to a tax. SB 974, if signed by the governor, will be a legacy for the Schwarzenegger administration in terms of securing a strong future for getting goods to market and saving lives through improved health.
Modifications to the bill have recently been proposed by the Central Valley seeking to capture some of the revenues generated via SB 974. These changes to the bill will greatly jeopardize the implementation of a container fee program for both the Northern and Southern California regions, and will hinder our ability to improve goods movement efficiency and address the congestion that results in reduced productivity and increased health impacts to surrounding communities. Mobility 21 continues to support the bill as originally approved by the State legislature, without the proposed amendments.
ACTION ALERT: Send a letter to Governor Schwarzenegger
Spotlight on SB 375
(Sept. 17, 2008) Controversy surrounding California legislation SB 375 continues. The ground-breaking bill, authored by Senator Darrell Steinberg (D-Sac), seeks to curtail “suburban sprawl” by linking transportation funding to urban planning. The proposed legislation would give existing and new high-density centers where people live, work and shop top priority in receiving local, state and federal transportation funds. The idea is that such developments check sprawl and ease commutes, and hopefully in turn cut back on pollution.
Proponents of the legislation tout its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while concerns remain over the impact of the new regulations on Southern California’s ability to deliver much-needed transportation improvements that will ease congestion and improve traffic flow. Specifically, concerns remain over the eligibility of local sales tax measures passed prior to 2011 when regulations will be fully developed to be exempt from the regulations as well as whether the additional greenhouse gas emissions analysis required by the legislation is to be conducted at the programmatic or project level.
The bill, which is awaiting the Governor’s signature, remains opposed by the Self Help Counties Coalition, California Chamber of Commerce, Associated General Contractors, California Chamber of Commerce, and several Mobility 21 partners who feel the bill lacks clarity on several important points that will negatively impact California’s planned and future transportation projects. Supporters include environmentalists, home builders, local governments and affordable-housing advocates. The California League of Cities recently reversed its longstanding opposition to the bill after the author made key concessions the League was seeking.
While some opponents are preparing to ask Governor Schwarzenegger to veto the legislation which has already passed both the assembly and the senate, others are taking a wait and see approach, preferring instead to work with the author on future clarifying legislation. With SB 375, California is once again setting the pace for the rest of the nation -- the legislation is being closely watched by other states as well as the federal government, which could include aspects of the legislation in MAP 21.
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