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June 25,
2002 |
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Remarks of Senator Jim Jeffords to the National
Conference on Transportation and the Economy Thank you, Dr. Ruane,
for that generous introduction. And congratulations to the American
Road and Transportation Builders Association on its 100th
anniversary of service to America. Our nation's history can be
measured by transportation=s changing generations. As ships and
wagons gave way to rail and roads our nation took root. Then came
our modern highways and our aviation system, and the nation
prospered. Much is owed to those who have built these systems. On
behalf of all Americans, we thank you.
I'd also like to thank the US Chamber of Commerce and the
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
for their support of today=s conference. AASHTO has a long and
distinguished record of leadership in national transportation
policy. And the Chamber is now bringing its considerable resources
to this effort as well, through its Americans for Transportation
Mobility coalition. I appreciate these contributions and look
forward to working with both the Chamber and AASHTO over the coming
months.
Our topic today, Transportation and the Economy, underscores the
fact that transportation is a means to an end. Our national policy
and our pattern of investment in transportation must be guided by
broad public objectives. In my view, the outcomes we seek are a
strong economy, healthy communities and a clean environment. To
realize these outcomes, America must be served by a world class,
balanced transportation system.
In December of last year, on the 10th anniversary of the
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, I presented my
plan as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public
Works for reauthorization of the nation's surface transportation
program. At that time, I laid out an agenda for 2002. I said then
that we would assemble our partners from around the country, from
industry and government, representing the best minds in the field of
transportation, to explore the lessons learned over the last ten
years and to discuss fresh ideas for moving forward.
We are now mid-way through that process. We have heard much from
our partners. Today, I want to report to you on our progress. I want
to set out a vision for surface transportation in the future. In so
doing, I want to begin to focus our efforts on Transportation for
the Next Generation. Let me begin by outlining six key issues:
The first is Asset Management. Our nation has grown both
physically and economically around the Interstate Highway System and
the mobility it affords. Reauthorization must be grounded in that
reality. Now the Interstate is nearly fifty years old, with tens of
thousands of bridges and culverts, many of which are deficient. In
recent years, state DOTs have spent over 75% of their Interstate
program funds on system preservation. We should continue this trend
of Interstate maintenance. Where necessary, we should selectively
expand the system, unclogging bottlenecks to meet changing
conditions. Finally, we should focus on the system's performance and
insist that it is well operated, so that we realize the full return
on our investment.
The second key driving force is Freight and Trade. The Interstate
Highway system has replaced warehousing and inventory with frequent,
just-in-time delivery. And our nation has witnessed massive growth
in international trade. This has led to a 20% increase in freight
hauled in the United States over the last ten years. We need to
focus on freight.
Rail is the third key issue and the forgotten option. The
Interstate era was a celebration of an emerging technology - the
automobile - and a giant step away from its dominant predecessor -
rail. As the highway system grew, rail declined. Now, both the
highway and aviation systems are congested. The events of September
11, and the disruption to aviation that resulted, make clear the
need for redundancy in our transportation system. We need a modern
freight and high speed rail network. Let's secure AMTRAK today while
we define a national rail system for tomorrow!
The forth critical issue is Metro Mobility. Over 60% of Americans
now live in the nation's 50 largest metro regions, and congestion
levels in those regions is growing. Most agree that there is no
single solution to the problem of congestion. Each metro area will
need a coordinated approach using a range of measures. New
technologies can expand the capacity of our highway and transit
systems. Transportation strategies must be complemented by land use
and development strategies to improve access.
Safety and Security is the fifth key issue. The good news is that
our highways are becoming safer. Over the last ten years, the rate
of fatalities has declined by over 20%. But accidents and deaths
continue, concentrated disproportionately on rural highways and
suburban intersections. Work zone accidents are also on the rise.
Security is now a major concern. Transportation infrastructure is a
potential terrorist target and is a critical element in disaster
response.
Last but certainly not least is the Natural and Human
Environment: Transportation has enhanced the quality of life for
most Americans, but our mode of travel can have a profound impact on
the natural environment. Vehicle emissions are a particular concern.
Today's cars and trucks burn fuel 35% more efficiently and with 95%
less emissions than 30 years ago, but the increase in vehicle miles
traveled has slowed our progress. And we have not addressed carbon
dioxide.
Carbon dioxide emissions from the transportation sector increased
by 10% between 1990 and 1997. And carbon dioxide accounts for over
80% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. These
impacts threaten public health and economic stability. Convenient
access and personal mobility for all Americans must continue to be
transportation's most important contribution to a just society. But
this must be achieved with respect for the environment and for the
character of our communities.
These six issues are central to the strong economy, the healthy
communities and the clean environment I spoke of earlier. Tackling
them will take creativity and collaboration. And most importantly,
it will take money.
We had a wake-up call this year on the matter of transportation
funding. The President=s budget called for significant reductions in
the Highway program. Working with my colleagues in the House, and
with the support of my full Committee on Environment and Public
Works, I introduced the Highway Funding Restoration Act. S. 1917
will restore an additional 5.8 billion dollars to the Highway
program. Many of you in this room have spoken out in favor of the
bill, and I thank you. Now let=s work to make it law!
Going forward, we will need this spirit of cooperation if only to
consolidate TEA 21's funding gains. Today, we spend about 32 billion
dollars per year in our highway program at the federal level. Yet
estimates to simply maintain our highway system at acceptable
standards run as high as 55 billion dollars in federal funds per
year. We cannot pass a reauthorization bill at current funding
levels. While I am not prepared to endorse a specific strategy
today, I remain open to the full range of options.
Our host, ARTBA, has proposed a 10 cent increase in the gas tax.
Others have called for indexing the gas tax and recapturing ethanol
taxes. AASHTO would create a Transportation Finance Corporation,
tapping the private capital markets. I welcome these ideas and
encourage others. The needs are real and will demand tough choices.
Let me close with an observation on the state of our
transportation community. I believe that the stakeholders are more
unified today than ever in memory. With much more in common than in
conflict, we have fertile ground for innovation and creativity. But
our common challenge, a struggle for resources, will require
strength through unity. This is a time to pull together, among
modes, among sectors, among regions of the country.
As our hearing process continues and as we move forward on
reauthorization, I welcome your thoughts and suggestions. Our
challenge is to create Transportation for the Next Generation. With
your help, I know we will succeed.
Thank you. -- 30 -- |