Monday, May 18, 2009
Editorial: Transportation isn't just about roads
As the national highway bill comes up for reauthorization, some are seeking to broaden its focus to include more mass transit.
From the RoundTable blog
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Nearly two decades ago, with the nation's interstate system nearly complete, Congress began to redefine transportation. It took what was generally referred to as the federal highway bill and turned it into an intermodal surface transportation act.
The idea was to create regional cooperative goals and prompt planners to think beyond the automobile and look for more efficient and more environmentally friendly ways to move Americans and their goods.
That act, and its successors, has stayed with that ideal, but with 80 percent of the money still going toward roads, it remains mostly a highway bill.
The current act comes up for renewal this fall, giving Congress an opportunity to refine the focus and shift more funds into mass transit. Already, an $8 billion commitment in the federal stimulus bill for high-speed rail between metro areas demonstrates the willingness of both the president and Congress to move beyond cars and trucks. And Americans, at least those still smarting from last year's $4 a gallon gasoline, recognize the need for and support transit options.
To take us there, House Transportation Committee chairman Rep. James L. Oberstar is reportedly advancing a plan that would call for an intermodal secretary to work with rail, transit, highway and aviation to better coordinate projects. Oberstar wants the bill to include a mixture of bonds that would be available to 68 major metropolitan areas to put together congestion-relief projects. It's a new way of thinking that's worthy of debate.
Another idea, proposed by Democratic Sens. John D. Rockefeller of West Virginia and Frank Lautenburg of New Jersey, likewise moves away from traditional road projects. The senators aim to reduce per capita motor vehicle miles traveled and carbon dioxide levels produced by vehicles and increase the proportion of freight moved by trains instead of trucks by 10 percent.
The intermodal yard proposed for Elliston no doubt will become an even more critical part of the nation's supply chain. As the rail system is upgraded here and beyond, some alleviation of congestion along the Interstate 81 corridor could occur.
While it's doubtful the Roanoke and New River valleys would qualify now for high-speed rail service, a focus on mass transit could advance projects to connect us with Amtrak.
Closer to home, a renewed focus on public transit might also encourage a more regional approach for shuttling commuters beyond Roanoke city limits.
Americans must see transportation expansion as more than adding miles of pavement.
