WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2002 - The American Highway Users
Alliance warned Congress today that the projected $8.6 billion 2003
transportation budget cut could be "calamitous" for state
transportation projects and the economy.
"A 27 percent cut in one year in the nation's largest
infrastructure program is too much," said William D. Fay, president
of the American Highway Users Alliance. "It would have serious
economic repercussions just at a time when the country is struggling
to get out of a recession, and it would be a devastating blow to our
national transportation system."
Speaking at a hearing of the Senate Environment and
Public Works Committee, Fay put the magnitude of the cut into
perspective. He noted that Nevada would lose more than $53 million
of the $200 million it received in transportation funding this year.
Similarly, Oklahoma would lose $118 million out of its $428 million
in 2002 receipts. Fay said that the cut is likely to result hundreds
of thousands of lost jobs.
"Equally important from the perspective of motorists,"
Fay said, "a 27 percent reduction in funds will delay the important
benefits of roadway improvements - the safety benefits of reducing
crashes, injuries, and fatalities; the air quality, time-saving, and
fuel-saving benefits of relieving traffic congestion; and the
economic and productivity benefits of speedier deliveries."
Citing a landmark study commissioned by The Highway
Users in 1999, Fay explained that very modest traffic flow
improvements at the nation's 167 worst bottlenecks would result in
287,000 fewer crashes over 20 years, including 1,150 fewer
fatalities and 141,000 fewer injuries; would significantly improve
air quality; would slash fuel consumption by nearly 20 billion
gallons; and would reduce commuters' travel time by an average of 19
minutes per trip. With polls showing that time management is one of
the greatest challenges facing American families today, 38 minutes
less for a commuter driving to and from work represents more time
for family, work, errands, and recreation.
Fay said the Highway Users Alliance strongly supports
The Highway Funding Restoration Act, which would restore $4.4
billion to FY 2003 transportation funding. He also encouraged
Congress to enact the proposal to funnel gas tax receipts from the
sale of ethanol into the Highway Trust Fund, close the loopholes
that have been used by some individuals to evade fuel taxes, and
invest in the nation's transportation infrastructure.
"All of that money [in the Highway Trust Fund] has
been paid by motorists. All of it was intended to be used for road
and bridge improvements. It ought to be used for its intended
purpose," Fay said.
Fay said Congress should protect the integrity of
highway use taxes and reject proposals that could reduce
transportation funding, including the expansion of the ethanol
mandate and suggestions that Highway Trust Fund monies be diverted
to support passenger rail service.
"We need a well-funded federal highway program to
improve safety, reduce congestion, enhance air quality, and keep our
manufacturers and producers competitive in the marketplace," Fay
concluded.
The American Highway Users Alliance represents
motorists, truckers, and a broad cross-section of the businesses
that depend on safe and uncongested highways to transport their
families, customers, employees and products. Known as The Highway
Users, the group's members pay the bulk of the taxes that finance
the federal highway program and promote public policies that
dedicate those taxes to improved highway safety and mobility.
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